'The H2Orb was designed first for use in senior housing and assisted living facilities. At a 450 room facility in Pasadena, Ca toilet overflow were a constant issue. Due to the nature of the facility, dementia in its guests was not uncommon the a major source of related issues to the facilities manager was toilet over flows. In that environment, an overflow was a 911 call and more than once, the water on the floor created a slip and fall injury. A slip and fall of a senior can lead to broken bones, complications, permanent hospitalization and even death. The fact is, it was the death of a patient due to complications from a broken hip caused by a slip and fall after a toilet overflow that caused the inventor, to vow, "Never Again".
Below is an excerpt from a letter written to us by Mark Warner, Architectural Gerontologist, Author of the Complete Guide to Alzheimer's Proofing Your Home and In Search of the Alzheimer's Wanderer. Please visit his website for great products at www.AlzStore.com
For those it may concern: Older people with dementia, involving degenerative diseases, neurological disorders (Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Picks Disease, Lewy Body disease, multiple strokes, etc.), progressively lose their ability to process information. As the disease develops, problems with activities of daily living (eating, ambulation, dressing, bathing and toileting) increase. These problems often include what to do with adult briefs (that wind up in the toilet), judgement involving how much toilet paper to use (which clogs the toilet) and even what to do with towels and wash cloths (which also often wind up in the toiler). the results are catastrophic, unpleasant, and costly, in many cases happening at night while the rest of the family is asleep, unaware and unable to respond to the emergency. The resulting damage can be quite extensive and unpleasant, affecting floors, ceilings, substructures, carpeting, carpet padding,etc.
The H2ORb Toiler Overflow Alarm is a lifesaver for such families, who are often so overwhelmed caring for their love one that they experience unbearable levels of stress, depression adn, in some cases, consequently die before the person they are caring for. ( There is no shortage of studies supporting this statement.) So the value of a product that can mechanically, dependably and automatically intervene and avert such catastrophic events,as well as the accompanying damage, stress and upsets, is immeasurable.
In institutional facilities (and multi-story homes) we are hearing that avoiding such overflows also such overflows also saves time and work for maintenance staff, as well as the effort and cost to repair and maintain a clean adn pleasant-smelling environment. But, more importantl, it allows simultaneous and independent monitoring of mulitiple units.
At present it is estimated that there are more than 5 million people in the U.S. with Alzheimer's disease alone. In the absence of a cure of vaccine, this number isespected to grow to more than 14 million by 2050. There are a few drugs in clinical trial stages, however, realistic projections offer little hope for results over the next five to ten years.'