vela chair Archives - Morton & Perry

Experience the Magic of the Independence Mobility Chair Animated Video

Posted on November 6, 2023December 20, 2023

The spirit of the season is upon us, heralding a time of togetherness, joy, and celebration. At Morton and Perry, we believe in the power of spreading happiness and enabling everyone to join in the festivities. Our Independence Mobility Chair is not just a product; it’s a beacon of liberation for those facing mobility limitations, granting them the gift of freedom and inclusion in the merriment of life’s moments.

To capture the essence of the sheer happiness and sense of liberation that our Independence Mobility Chair brings, we would like to share a heartwarming animated video. This animation, crafted by our expert team at the Vela HQ offices, beautifully encapsulates the experiences of individuals whose lives have been transformed by the independence this chair provides.

In this enchanting video, viewers will witness:

The Gift of Freedom: Delve into the stories of individuals whose lives have been positively impacted by the Independence Mobility Chair.

Inclusion in Festivities: See how the chair becomes a gateway for users to actively participate in and relish the celebrations and events that once felt out of reach. From family gatherings to community events, this chair empowers individuals to engage and immerse themselves in the joy of these moments.

Empowerment and Smiles: Witness the transformation in the lives of users as they navigate through various activities with confidence, exuding radiant smiles and spreading cheer wherever they go.

This animated video is a representation of the impact that the Independence Mobility Chair can have, not only on an individual’s mobility but on their overall well-being and happiness. It’s a celebration of the freedom and joy that this product brings to those facing mobility challenges.

We invite you to join us in watching this heartening animated video, a visual journey that embodies the spirit of happiness and the gift of mobility that the Independence Mobility Chair bestows. Head to the Vela official YouTube channel to witness the magic this product can bring to individuals’ lives.

As you experience the heartwarming moments in the animation, we hope you’ll share in the joy it brings and recognize the life-changing difference the Independence Mobility Chair can make for yourself or your loved ones.

Watch animation here

Independence chair for independence life for people with mobility restrictions

Posted on September 27, 2023

Reason For Using the VELA Independence Chair

I was interested in the VELA Chair particularly for use in the kitchen, as tasks such as cooking and unstacking the dishwasher are things I really struggle with due to the amount of pottering involved, to the point I am not typically able to manage them. The VELA Chair appealed to me because it is designed to offer support while being foot-propelled and has an electric lift feature, meaning it seemed like a good solution for me in the kitchen on paper as it could help me reach the top cupboards seated, so I wanted to explore further.

Using the VELA Chair

I started by using the chair at my desk like a standard office chair. It is highly adjustable and can be set up exactly how you want. The levers were easily reachable and easy to control such that it was easy to finetune my position, something I find difficult to do when using my normal chair. This also meant that I could easily adjust my position throughout the day, changing the seat bucket every so often to keep myself comfortable, which in turn helped my back pain and allowed me to sit for longer.

The electronic lift feature meant I could adjust my height easily throughout the day, sometimes having my feet on the floor and other times with my legs dangling. Again, this was easy to do, which helped keep me comfortable using the chair for longer. I was worried the chair’s footprint would be too large, but it was no larger than a standard 5-wheeled office chair and easily fit under my desk.

The chair doesn’t rotate quite like a standard office chair and is typically fixed in position. You can change the fixed position in 90° chunks, but it never freely swings around like my normal chair, which I missed when using the chair at my desk, as quickly reaching things to the side was more difficult. However, the lack of rotation made the chair much more stable when using it in the kitchen later, so I can see why this choice was made.

In the kitchen

The chair really came into its own when I took it downstairs to use in the kitchen. It is quite heavy, meaning it was no easy feat to get it down the stairs and not something you could do regularly but, once in the kitchen, the VELA Chair gave me a lot of freedom. It was easy to foot propel on laminate flooring, though you need to wear something with a bit of grip on your feet, such as shoes or slipper socks to ensure you have enough traction to move the chair. The 4-wheel design makes it easy to travel in your desired direction, unlike regular 5-wheeled chairs and stools that are much harder to control. The centre of gravity is low, meaning it is, and feels, secure, so you don’t worry about tipping over or being unbalanced. It was brilliant to have a chair for the kitchen that offered me the full support I was looking for, which helped me stay comfortable for longer periods.

When stationary, you are meant to apply to the brake every time for stability though I often found myself forgetting. It didn’t matter too much if I was just sitting still, but the brake feature was useful when reaching forward into a cupboard or standing up out of the chair as it stops the chair from rolling away from you and helps keep you steady.

You can also use the chair as a perching stool if desired, as the seat can angle forward to allow this, and the lift feature can allow you to set the height correctly to perch. I can confirm that this works and is easy to set up, but this isn’t something I tried out long-term as I don’t find perching comfortable.

Lift feature

The best feature of the chair I found was the lift feature. It went low enough that I could easily reach into low cupboards without having to crouch (something my body pretty much refuses to do) and high enough that I was at a comfortable height to work on the countertops. I wish it had gone a bit higher so that I could have reached the top cupboards a little more easily, but I spoke with Chris about this, and he said that this is perfectly possible, and your desired height range would be discussed during the assessment before you place an order. The lift feature also helped reduce my knee pain as I could raise the chair to its maximum before standing up, which meant my sit-to-stand was not as far. Applying the brake also allows you to push down on a solid/sturdy base to help you get up.

Using this chair allowed me to cook dinner for my family for the first time in three years – cooking is a big independence skill I struggle with simply due to the amount of standing and pottering it involves. This chair made it suddenly seem like cooking might be something I could manage with the right technology. This was the most life-changing aspect of the chair for me. I was worried about using the chair when carrying a pan of boiling water to the sink but found this wasn’t an issue. The chair is stable and secure, meaning I could trust it to go where I needed to.

Other chores

The VELA Chair also helped me with other tasks such as hanging up the washing and emptying the dishwasher. The lift feature means you can easily hang washing on both the bottom and top of the rack without overly stooping or reaching outside of normal ranges (see photos above). The feature is also helpful for unstacking the dishwasher as again, it stops you bending over so far and helps keep you steady. It is much easier to control than the 5 wheeled stool I use normally, which meant I no longer crashed around the kitchen and was instead moving much more intentionally.

Conclusion & Recommendation

Overall, I was very impressed with this chair. It is a good office chair that is very easy to adjust, but where it really shines is in the kitchen. It allowed me to cook a full meal for the first time in years and I was very sad to give it (and the independence it gave me) back at the end of the trial. If you struggle to potter around the kitchen as much as you need to, bend or reach high places, or are unsteady on your feet and want the extra support, I highly recommend looking at the VELA Chair.

Find your VELA Chair at Morton & Perry

Vela Independence Chair for fall prevention for the elderly offers numerous benefits

Posted on September 11, 2023September 12, 2023

Why is fall prevention important for older adults?

Preventing falls among the elderly is crucial due to dizziness, balance problems, and weakened muscle strength, which are among the most common causes of falls in this age group. The VELA chair is a specially designed chair that aims to prevent falls among the elderly.

The Risk of Falling Increases Significantly with Age

In fact, a study conducted in the Municipality of Copenhagen revealed that one-third of residents aged 65 and above experience at least one fall per year. Globally, this applies to more than one in four individuals². The same Copenhagen study emphasises that once you have experienced a fall, the risk of falling again increases even further.

Not only does the risk of falling increase with age, but the consequences of a fall can also be much more severe compared to when you were younger.

Tragically, falls are the second-leading cause of death worldwide, following traffic accidents. Each year, an estimated 684,000 people die due to falls globally, with a significant number occurring among older adults over the age of 60.

Consequences of falls:

When an elderly person falls, it can result in fractured bones, such as hip or thigh fractures. Unfortunately, this often leads to severe consequences:

Lengthy hospital stays
Prolonged rehabilitation processes
Surgical procedures and potential reoperation
Requirement for aids during hospitalisation and at home
Need for care, such as home care, in everyday life

Unfortunately, it is also often the case that the consequences of a fall can lead to poorer mobility and result in another fall. Moreover, the fear of falling again can lead to the avoidance of specific situations and activities in an attempt to prevent future falls.

This significantly diminishes the quality of life for the elderly. Among other things, effective fall prevention aims to counteract these negative impacts.

Kaj Henning Was Always Afraid of Falling

Kaj Henning, an elderly gentleman, has experienced reduced muscle strength in his legs due to his age. This has made him feel insecure about losing balance and falling, and his fears are justified.

Kaj Henning has faced falls in his home before and is concerned that another fall could result in a fracture. He has also realised from past experiences that he cannot get up on his own if he falls again.

Due to his insecurity and fear, Kaj Henning has refrained from performing many practical tasks at home, relying on his wife, Lene, to handle most of the household chores. However, the extra workload on Lene does not compare to the worry she carries for her husband. Whenever she hears an unexpected sound, she often thinks:

What’s happening now? Has he fallen?

However, the situation at Lene and Kaj Henning’s home changed when Kaj Henning was provided with a VELA Chair. The chair enables him to be more active in his daily life. He can now help more around the house, and the chair provides excellent reassurance to both Kaj Henning and Lene, as Kaj Henning is not at as high a risk of falling. He feels secure when he sets the table, loads the dishwasher, or picks things up from the floor.

As a result, Kaj Henning has become less dependent on help from Lene.

The burden of worry that Lene had unconsciously carried for Kaj Henning has now been lifted.

Lene expresses her relief, saying:

Now, there’s less for me to be anxious about.

Kaj Henning particularly appreciates the electric height adjustment on the chair because, as he explains, “There’s a difference between sitting and walking.” Therefore, depending on his activity, he makes many small adjustments to his sitting height throughout the day to ensure comfort.

Lene notices a significant change in Kaj Henning’s activity level and his sense of independence. She remarks that he has become much more active and hopes this positive effect extends to his edematous legs.

The VELA chair has helped Kaj Henning be more active and independent at home, ultimately improving his quality of life, not just for himself but also for his wife, Lene.

Whether it’s called quality of life, I don’t know, but it feels like it… Actually.

Fear of Falling Is a Prevalent Problem

After experiencing his first fall, Kaj Henning began feeling insecure about engaging in certain activities that he perceived to have a higher risk of falling again. As a result, Kaj Henning refrained from performing some tasks at home, despite being capable of doing them prior to the fall.

This restriction in activity can lead to the deterioration of both physical and cognitive functions, ultimately resulting in a loss of independence and an increased need for care.

Studies have shown that such deterioration is considered crucial in terms of experiencing reduced quality of life. In fact, a 2018 review conducted by Schoene et al. demonstrated that the fear of falling has significant implications for the quality of life among older adults, and interestingly, it has a greater impact than the falls themselves.

Initially, the fear of falling among older adults was thought to be limited to those who had already experienced falls, commonly referred to as “post-fall syndrome.”

However, it has been discovered that the fear of falling is not exclusive to older individuals with prior falling incidents but is also prevalent among older adults with no history of falls.

The Impact of Fear on Social Life

Fear can have a profound impact on social and active individuals and their loved ones, as is the case with Kaj Henning and Lene. Therefore, it is important not only to focus on physical capabilities but also to incorporate the psychological perspective into the rehabilitation process and preventive mindset.

Kaj Henning and Lene’s story is not unique, and our experience shows that there are many elderly individuals in a similar situation to theirs. This is why fall prevention should be approached from a physical, contextual, and psychological standpoint.

How a VELA Chair Assists in Preventing Falls and the Apprehension of Falling

The prevention of falls among the elderly is crucial due to their significant physical and psychological consequences. This is where VELA’s office chair with a brake and an electric lift can be a valuable aid. It offers a sense of security and stability, both physically and mentally, effectively reducing the fear of falling.Research has demonstrated the positive impact of environmental modifications, often termed “environmental adaptations,” on fall prevention. These adaptations involve adjusting the home environment to create optimal conditions for engaging in daily activities⁴. According to this research, the use of assistive devices is an effective way for individuals like Kaj Henning to enhance their ability to perform various activities at home.One effective method of adapting your home environment is by incorporating a VELA chair. This fall prevention chair enables easy and secure movement between different rooms while remaining seated. Moreover, it is suitable for use in all areas of the house and requires minimal space.

You can adjust the chair’s height yourself

A chair that has both a brake and an electric lift is essential to preventing falls among the elderly. The VELA chair with an electric lift provides the user with an aid that assists them in standing up.

To use the chair safely, follow these steps:

Apply the brake by using the hand brake

Press the button to raise the seat. This will elevate the chair and help you stand up

Gently place your feet on the floor, and regain your balance while being supported by the chair

The VELA chair offers additional benefits as well. It allows you to perform various daily tasks while remaining seated. For example, you can lower the chair to reach lower shelves in a cupboard or raise it to access clothes in a wardrobe. However, always ensure that the chair is properly braked before carrying out any activities to ensure your safety and security.

One notable feature of the chair is its electric lift, which provides a smooth and gradual change in seat height. This helps prevent dizziness or loss of balance that can occur with sudden movements. By instilling a sense of security, the electric lift contributes to a safer user experience.

Walk the chair around and stay mobile

Our mobility chairs for the elderly are equipped with four smooth-running wheels. This means you can lower the chair’s height and use your legs to “walk” or push the chair around while seated.

With a VELA fall prevention chair, you can comfortably engage in most of your daily activities while seated, reducing the fear of falling. The smooth-running wheels provide enhanced mobility, enabling you to take care of yourself and move around with ease.

If you need to transition from the chair to a sofa, simply walk the chair to the sofa, apply the brake, fold the armrest down, and slide onto the sofa. You can also rely on the armrest for support during the transfer.

A fall prevention chair offers safety and security, empowering you to handle various tasks independently without relying on others for assistance.

Security, stability, and a better quality of life

There are many benefits to preventing falls among the elderly. Using a VELA chair helps reduce accidents, hospitalisations, and after-effects. Therefore, we recommend getting a VELA chair before an accident happens. You can use it when you are feeling tired to prevent yourself from falling.

A fall prevention chair for the elderly offers security when your strength fails while also providing a stable foundation to continue your usual activities, helping you maintain a good quality of life even if you have a fear of falling.

The VELA Chair Has Transformed Kaj Henning’s Daily Life

After receiving a VELA chair, he has gained the confidence to perform a wider range of tasks at home.

It not only relieves his wife but also provides beneficial exercise for Kaj Henning. The VELA chair assists him in areas where he is weakest, eliminating his fear of the consequences of his physical limitations. For instance, it compensates for Kaj Henning’s reduced leg muscle strength and lack of balance. Consequently, he can now work at the kitchen table and cabinets at a higher level, as well as perform tasks closer to the floor, such as emptying and loading the dishwasher.

His fear of falling, which he used to associate with this strength- and balance-demanding activities, has been eliminated thanks to the VELA chair.

The VELA chair actively contributes to enhancing Kaj Henning’s level of activity by reducing his feelings of insecurity. Increased activity can help strengthen Kaj Henning’s leg muscles and alleviate swelling. For Kaj Henning, the VELA chair has made it possible to perform activities that were previously impossible for him, boosting his confidence and independence. These two factors have had a significant impact on his overall quality of life.

SOURCES

https://www.vela.eu/a-chair-for-fall-prevention

who.int

Falls and Fall Injuries Among Adults Aged ≥65 Years – United States, 2014

National Library of Medicine