Abacus Gemini MX bath enhances joy for children with disabilities at Fenrishus care centre

Located in Aarhus, Denmark, Fenrishus is a specialised care centre for children and young people with multiple and complex disabilities as well as life-limiting conditions. These young clients, all non-verbal and with limited mobility and cognitive abilities, need care 24/7 so they can maximise their potential and quality of life. 

To ensure the centre provides specialist bathing that perfectly reflects the centre’s ethos, Abacus Specialist Bathroom Solutions has been commissioned to install one of its latest innovations – the powered Gemini MX hi-lo platform bath.

Since launch and winning the ‘Best in Show’ Award at the Occupational Therapy Show 2024, the Gemini MX has proven a ‘game changer’ in terms of care, support and enjoyment for young bathers with disabilities. It builds on the heritage of the renowned Gemini bath range which has unique dual lift functionality and integrated changing, drying and bathing platforms. The MX adds to this ergonomic design with multiple enhancements including an innovative, dynamic mattress for added comfort. This multi-user, inclusive solution was recognised by Fenrishus as the ideal bathing proposition for better therapy and engagement with its young clients.

Established in 1986, Fenrishus is unlike any other care facility in Denmark. It is the only centre that offers specialist palliative care to children from birth through to young adults aged 26. Fenrishus currently houses 21 disabled clients with some living full time on site and others requiring care on a part-time basis.

Over 150 staff provide support 24/7 including occupational therapists, physiotherapists, holistic and music therapists, nurses and social workers. There is an in-house kindergarten and a range of accommodation and living spaces that all generate a reassuring, positive atmosphere. The overall service proposition is focused on inclusivity and a holistic approach that encourages all family members to access the centre to spend as much time as possible with their children. 

Fenrishus has been extended over the years and most recently one of its multi-user bathrooms has been modernised to provide state-of-the-art accessibility. Integrating an inclusive bath into this scheme was deemed a priority by Fenrishus managers. The centre wanted a specialist bath that would relax children and enhance movement, engagement and therapy. It needed to keep users and carers safe and complement the new aesthetically pleasing bathroom. In 2023, a Fenrishus manager attended the Scandinavian Rehab exhibition seeking the right specialist bathing solution. They met with the Gemini MX distributor in Denmark which led to a site survey and assessment of need by Abacus at the centre. The new Gemini MX was deemed the perfect solution to ensure care excellence was maintained; an indicative trademark of Fenrishus’ service. The bath was successfully installed in 2024 and since commissioning, has delivered multiple advantages to residents and staff at Fenrishus.

Members from all departments agree the Gemini MX has significantly enhanced care and support. Camilla Munkholm, Developmental Therapist, said: “Our new bath gives me more opportunities to help our children. There’s so much more you can do therapy-wise in the bath than on the floor. We interact a lot with the children as they float and enjoy the colourful lights.

So I can be more focused on my practice which aims to help the children develop. It brings the best part of the day for some of the children and for me. It is amazing to see the children smiling and relaxed. Most are non-verbal so this benefit to them is incredible; I see it brings them joy, it really does.”

As all clients have pronounced mobility difficulties, the bath provides an excellent method to relieve muscle and joint tension. Kathrine Marie Hansen, Physiotherapist, adds: “It helps them with stretching and relaxation especially as many of our children have spasticity. And the bath can also be fun. It is a joyful experience for them to splash around and turn on the bubbles. They have a good time and some manage to laugh or clap which is amazing. I also find it helps with their sleep, they feel more comfortable after a bath and nap for longer. One of our young clients is unable to move or sense much; however, when she bathes in the Gemini she laughs and laughs and splashes so much. We then turn the lights down low and she becomes super relaxed. For me as a therapist, the bath helps as I can lift it up to my level without having to bend when the kids are in the bath and transfers onto the platform are so much easier. I can get closer to them, so interaction is easier and more positive. A great experience for all of us.”

The Gemini MX is specifically designed to assist the care givers as well as the bather. This ensures a positive bathing cycle and an easier ability for interaction and connection. Fie Tolstrup Nielsen is one of the Holistic Therapists at Fenrishus. Her role involves both mental and physical treatments which includes methods to improve cognitive and motor skills as well as well-being. Fie has been equally impressed with the bath since installation: “The Abacus bath is a space where the children can just be there with no expectation. We can have a special moment together; we really connect, in a nice environment. I think it’s brilliant that the water comes up to the kids rather than them being submerged in it. They have time to adapt from a dry to a wet environment so remain calm and reassured. I can support them too without being in an awkward position that could damage my back. It can help with some health issues and I find that eating and sleep behaviour is improved after a bath. With my skillset, the bath complements my sensory work so I can help the children develop and communicate more effectively. By using the bath in my practice, they are more connected to the world and we get to know them better.”

As the centre continues to develop its services and cater for high demand, the Fenrishus team are integrating use of the Gemini MX into more care routines. Each child is profiled so that the bathing cycle matches their specific needs and maximises effectiveness in terms of care and enjoyment outcomes. 

In summary, Karina Nørgaard Clausen, Occupational Therapist, concludes by saying: “The Gemini MX bath is unlike anything else. It’s a new solution. It helps all our therapists connect with the kids in a way we have never been able to do before. We think it is brilliant and perfectly reflects our strategic approach to world-class paediatric palliative care.”