FURNITURE & INTERIORS Seating Solutions
Recovering from a stroke can be a frustratingly drawn out process, especially when it leads to other health problems like pressure ulcers. Careflex explains how specialist seating can make rehabilitation more comfortable.
We all know that a stroke can be a sudden, often catastrophic event. The long-term goal of stroke rehabilitation is to help people regain independence and attain the best possible quality of life.
Part of stroke rehabilitation often includes occupational therapy. This may involve adapting the home or using special equipment to make everyday activities easier, as well as trying to find alternative ways of carrying out problematic tasks.
A stroke can cause weakness or paralysis in one side of the body, which can result in problems with co- ordination and balance. Physiotherapy plays an important role at every stage of the stroke recovery process, helping individuals reach their full physical potential and functional ability and get back to normal life.
Some people require a long period of rehabilitation before they can recover their former independence, unfortunately many will never fully recover and will need support adjusting to living with the effects of their stroke.
The correct seating, which promotes good posture, is key to help facilitate effective recovery. Stroke rehabilitation will undoubtedly mean sitting for long periods, possibly in an asymmetrical and unsupported position. This can lead to skin and soft tissue damage, often resulting in pressure ulcers, ranging from a slight discolouration of skin to a serious deep wound that may leave multiple tissue layers exposed.
This process of skin breakdown can be made worse by other factors such as incontinence, immobility
- 36 -
impairment and age. Pressure ulcers often develop on the buttocks, sacrum, hips, heels, spine, and around the head. The result is
pain and anguish, additional to the effects of the stroke itself.
A minor stroke may require a ‘level 1’ chair, like the CareFlex HydroCare. A comfortable and supportive chair that is simple to adjust, offering durability, familiarity and stability. Integral pressure relief helps to prevent the soft tissue damage mentioned above.
A ‘level 3’ chair, like the CareFlex HydroFlex or SmartSeat, is for situations where considerable support is needed for long periods. The chairs are simple and safe to operate to encourage regular repositioning either independently or by the carer. They include a Tilt-in-Space (TiS) function, which allows you to change the reclining angle of the chair seat and back without adjusting the user’s hip and knee angle. Seat cushions include maximum pressure relief.
A ‘level 4’ chair, like the CareFlex SmartSeatPro, is for cases where posture is likely to deteriorate significantly as a result of the stroke. This is a highly flexible and adjustable chair for complex postural and pressure management needs. The individual backrest components can be altered in height, depth, angle, offset and rotation to offer tailored support.
Recovering from a stroke can be challenging and feelings of helplessness can surface. Around half the people who have a stroke will be dependent on some form of care for help with their daily activities. A stroke affects the entire family and the correct specialist seating can ease the pressure on carers by aiding the individual to rejoin normal daily life to the best of their abilities.
www.careflex.co.uk www.tomorrowscare.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54