Something as simple as replacing an ordinary chair with a customised mobility chair can provide greater self-sufficiency, increased activity and improved quality of life.
VELA chairs in a nursing home
Small changes in daily life in a nursing home can be of great benefit to both residents and staff. Something as simple as replacing an ordinary chair with a customised chair can provide greater self-sufficiency, increased activity and improved quality of life.
Many older people become disabled as a result of illness or a hard life, which means they have problems performing everyday activities. They may be unable to do the things they want to – and therefore stop doing activities that they previously enjoyed. Many older people also become more inactive, which means their quality of life deteriorates.
Many older people suffer from mobility problems and need help to perform daily activities – activities which they used to perform themselves. These could for example be: help in transferring between their chair and bed, help to get around and help at mealtimes.
It is often the small factors which make a big difference to the individual. Since its introduction in the 1960s, the customised chair has helped hundreds of thousands of people to manage daily tasks, something which most of us take for granted.
Some of the advantages of using customised chairs in a nursing home have been highlighted through “Lab X”, a project in which companies develop and test assisted living technology together with educational and public institutions, including UCN in Aalborg, SOSU Nord and Fremtidens Plejehjem in Nørresundby.
“I can’t sit in the chairs in the common area. I get such pain in my buttocks. I can hardly walk when I have been sitting on those chairs down there. And that’s why I never go down to anything in the hall. Because the chairs down there are terrible. And we should have some customised chairs there instead of those architect chairs, or whatever they are. They are the worst perches.” Statement from resident at Fremtidens Plejehjem
Making daily life easier
The height of the chair can be adjusted electronically to suit the user’s activity.
The user can, for example, sit at a good ergonomic height in relation to the dining table and can (since the chair has wheels) be freely positioned close to the table, so it is easier to eat. The chair has a central brake which provides extra safety. Moreover, the user is able to interact socially at the table, and their carer can achieve a better work posture, if applicable, e.g. when helping with eating.
Adjusting the height of the chair can also help when getting ready in the mornings, for example, by bringing a weak resident up to the same height as the carer, making their work easier.
Increased mobility
The wide armrests support the body and provide good, safe sitting comfort – and the height and angle of the seat make it easier for the user to sit down and get up from the chair. The resident therefore becomes more mobile and self-reliant.
The seat and back of the chair are ergonomically shaped and upholstered, and can be adjusted to the user’s needs.
Its excellent sitting comfort motivates the user to sit in the chair and to achieve a good posture, making participation in more activities possible.
The large, smooth-running wheels can handle smaller doorsteps and carpets and the stolling bracket makes the staff’s work easier when the user has to be moved in their chair.
The central brake can be operated by the user and provides security, e.g. when getting into and out of the chair.
To get the best guidance and advice towards your new VELA chair, you must contact a VELA dealer. They are thoroughly trained and has extensive knowledge about VELA chairs to find the most suitable chair for you and your day-to-day challenges.
”My mother did all kitchen work from such a VELA chair for several years”
Gunda
”My husband got such a chair from VELA – it is super!”
Helen
”I also have one and it’s just amazing – thank you VELA”
Lisa
”Have had mine for 22 years. And today it was renewed with a new seat upholstery and new wheels. It’s a super chair”
Lillian
”I have a VELA chair, and have had it for many years. It’s the best there is. I can do almost anything from the chair: washing the floor, ironing clothes, cooking and many other things.”
Kenneth
”I’m so happy for your chair”
George
”My son also uses VELA chairs due to CP. He has several of them”
Travis
”I’m so lucky to have one. It is indispensable.”
Ingrid
”I have one myself and I am very happy with it – I can not live without it.”
Ida
”My mother has benefited so much from VELA chairs.”
Ivan
”An amazing chair, my wife has one and it helps her a lot in daily life”
Tracy
”I have a slightly older version and it is worth its weight in gold – it makes my everyday life better.”
Annette
”I can only say that my mother who has arthritis loves her work chair from VELA”
Dianna
”I have one and it really helps me in the kitchen on the days where I can not stand up and cook.”
Kate
”I am the happy owner of a VELA chair – it helps me every day”
Kristen
”I have a VELA chair with electric height that allows me to get up standing by myself – I look forward every day to being able to be social”
Ketty
”I also have a VELA chair and am very happy with it. When I got it several years ago, we could again get something else than fast food. It’s the model where I can adjust the seat up high. It’s worth all the money.”
Mona
”I also have a good VELA chair that can be changed in height up and down. That way I can do a lot of things”
Lone
”I love my chair and do not want to do without it at all ❤️”
Oliver
”Now I can do the dishes and cook in the kitchen. It really is a wonderful chair. I absolutely love it.”
Lena
”I love my chair – with it I can do almost anything”
Kurt
”I’m so lucky to have one. It is indispensable.”
Liza
”I got a VELA chair 40 years ago, and still have it. The VELA chair is super”
Henny
”I also have such a chair and I become more and more fond of it. I wish I had one more.”
Heidi
”My daughter loves her vela chair. She has one at home and one at school.”
Hannah
”I’m super happy with my VELA chair. My everyday life has definitely gotten easier with this amazing chair.”
Elizabeth
”Got my first VELA chair over 9 years ago and it is still in use to this day. Super product.”
This content is based on over 50 years of development and expertise in VELA Chairs, with a global reach reflected in the sale of over 500,000 chairs worldwide. This page is a collaborative effort with the author.
