"We recognise the day-to-day challenges of both sufferers and carers and will continue to develop specialised products to assist dysphagia patients and carers of those within every age group and level of disability."
Dr Gawie and Hannelie Roux have been working together in General Practice and Aged Care for nearly 20 years. Dr Gawie Roux is a Medical Doctor and Hannelie is a Registered Nurse.
Lifemere was originally known as Bayro No 1. Undergoing a rebrand in 2017, with the RoseCup product ranges as a primary focus.
The design, development and refinement of the RoseCup, the innovative attachments and thickened fluid food range, has been ongoing for 7 years.
The Roux's and their team care deeply about aged care and specifically about finding solutions for people with nutrition and swallowing difficulties.
Carer education is also important to the Lifemere team. By providing educational materials they aim to increase awareness and encourage professional diagnosis to assist those suffering from feeding and swallowing difficulties.
Lifemere continues to work closely with Speech Pathologists, Nutritionists, Carers and other professionals to provide safer swallowing solutions to support carers and those experiencing difficulties swallowing.
At Lifemere we embrace and celebrate the value of every life.
Hannelie is the heart of the Lifemere team. She is a multi-talented and beautiful person who people tend to gravitate towards. Her heart for people and drive to actively make a difference in people's lives is lived out in her daily life. Hannelie qualified in South Africa with a degree in Nursing and Psychiatry and has previously worked as a registered Midwife. She has a special interest in skin cancer and dysphagia.
Whether she is assisting Dr Gawie in the medical practice in her role as Registered Nurse, organising Lifemere event logistics, talking strategy or product development, or sharing her creative flair through her beautiful flower arrangements, photography or gardening, it is clear that she is a woman of purpose and passion. Alongside Dr Gawie, she has worked towards providing products in the Lifemere range, that offer hope and support to dysphagia sufferers and the elderly. Hannelie was the President of the RDAQ - Rural Doctors Association of Queensland - Family Network for three years.
I became the GP of this charming lady, Rose and her astute husband Louis at the turn of the century in a small village in rural Queensland, Australia. Indeed a colourful and most interesting couple. Salt of the earth they were...
Dysphagia is associated with a wide range of medical conditions and is a result of damage to the nerves and muscles used for swallowing. Symptoms of dysphagia include choking and coughing on swallowing and food sticking & causing discomfort.
Dysphagia is a serious condition – there is a high risk of food and/or drink passing into the airways if not managed properly which can cause pneumonia. People with dysphagia are also at risk of poor nutrition because of the effort required to eat and/or drink.
People with dysphagia frequently require modification of the texture of food (soft, minced and moist or smoothly pureed) and/or their fluids to be thickened in order to make swallowing as safe as possible.
If you or a family member has dysphagia, a specialist medical practitioner or speech therapist will advise you on the modification level that is right for you.
"Working as a carer I have always been concerned about the hydration of the residents who were prescribed thickened fluids.
The RoseCup has been invaluable in providing an alternative to the laborious spoon-feeding of the residents. I have seen a big change in the confidence of some residents, since they have been able to drink thickened fluids without the assistance of a carer. An awesome device which not only provides a means to consume thickened fluids, but also empowers the user by putting control of their hydration needs back in their own hands."
The RoseCup is a registered as a Class 1 Medical Device with the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration TGA. (All medical devices marketed in Australia must meet the requirements which are set out in Chapter 4 of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989, and in the Therapeutic Goods (Medical Devices) Regulations 2002.)
Disclaimer - The RoseCup product range is designed to help reduce the risk of aspiration in patients with dysphagia (swallowing disorders) when used according to the product guidelines and recommendations. The product range does not prevent aspiration. The website Questionnaire is designed as a guide only, to assist with product selection. It is not to be used to replace a medical diagnosis. Please see your GP if you are experiencing difficulty swallowing or eating. Product selection and use is undertaken at the consumer's discretion and risk.