Apoplexy

Depending on the functional impairments of a patient, physiotherapy over short or long periods may be required, whether at hospital, at home or both.

Functional impairment as a result of apoplexy can cause problems in terms of managing everyday activities at home or at work, caused for example by paralysis of the legs or arms on either side of the body. Many people find that they tire quickly, have difficulty getting into and up from a sitting position, have poor balance, difficulty walking, trouble standing up for long periods or holding kitchen utensils and cutlery, while some people also experience problems with orientation.

VELA has a wide selection of customised chairs, sit-stand chairs and electric wheelchairs, which can make everyday life easier and offer more independence for people with functional impairment as a result of apoplexy.

If you have slight functional impairment, for example poor balance or difficulty walking, a customised chair or sit-stand chair can significantly improve your daily life:

• Increased mobility: The user can easily 'walk' the chair forward, and thereby move around without assistance while sitting in the chair.

  Greater safety: Users who have poor standing balance, for example, benefit from the extra safety and peace of mind afforded by the central brake system. This means that the chair remains completely stationary when the user gets up or sits down. The armrests offer added safety and support and help the user to lower themselves slowly and safely into the chair.
  Easier operation: If the user has reduced strength in their hands, special easy-to-operate handles and switches can be fitted.
  Improved sitting posture: Users achieve a comfortable and ergonomically correct sitting posture, as the seat and backrest can be adjusted according to different situations and needs.
  More comfort and support: It is possible to purchase extra padding for the seat, backrest and armrests as well as various seat cushions such as pressure-relief seat cushions, which promote comfort and ease pain.

• Safer transfer: Electric height adjustment can facilitate getting into and out of the chair by helping the user to perform these movements gently and slowly. The armrests can be lowered so that they are level with the seat, allowing sideways transfers to be performed safely. Greater safety and increased comfort also mean less tiredness.

Where there is a severe functional impairment as a result of apoplexy, an electric wheelchair can facilitate everyday life. VELA has countless adjustment options, both in terms of sitting posture and drivability:

• Increased mobility: The user can propel themselves and thus move around the house or do their shopping, for example.

  Greater safety: Users who have poor balance benefit from extra safety and peace of mind with an electric wheelchair that is adapted to their specific needs. The electric wheelchair's drivability can be programmed so the user has a pleasant, safe experience and the ability to manoeuvre safely around at home, work, school and out in the street.
  Easier operation: If the user has reduced strength in their hands, a special, easily operated joystick and switches can be fitted to the chair. It is also possible to purchase alternative control options, such as chin control. If the user is unable to operate an electric wheelchair themselves, attendant control can be installed.
  Improved sitting posture: The user achieves a comfortable and ergonomically correct sitting posture through adjustment of the seat and backrest to their needs. The sitting position can either be set manually or electrically, depending on the user's needs.
  More comfort and support: Extra padding for the seat, backrest and armrests can be provided, for example with softer foam or a variety of seat cushions. Special pressure-relief seat cushions can promote comfort and ease any pain. Sitting postures can be stabilised by means of various back support systems, such as lateral supports and head support as well as specially adapted seat systems and custom moulds.
  Less pain: Easy operation and use of the wheelchair's electric functions such as seat tilt can help the user adopt a variety of sitting postures over the course of a long day. The distribution of pressure around the user's body is thus alternated and the risk of pain and pressure sores reduced: this affords a high degree of comfort over long-term use.