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Impaired Physical Mobility

  • 2024-05-30
  • Reading time: 8 min.
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What is Impaired Physical Mobility?

Impaired physical mobility refers to limitations in a person’s ability to move about freely and independently. Impaired mobility can be caused by various factors, including a traumatic injury, chronic health condition, neurological disorder, or aging-related changes in the body. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 12% of all American adults have a mobility impairment, which is any type of disability that affects movement.1

Impaired Mobility Is Often Life-Altering

Mobility impairments range from lower body impairments, which may require the use of canes and mobility chairs to upper body impairments, which may include limited or no use of the upper extremities and hands. While mobility impairments can be temporary, most are permanent.

The impact of impaired physical mobility on daily life and independence can not be overstated. It restricts an individual’s ability to perform routine tasks, socialize with others, or access essential services.2 For individuals with mobility impairments, everyday activities that others may take for granted can become exceedingly more challenging.

Simple tasks like getting in and out of bed, bathing, cooking, or moving around the home can require significant effort and assistance from others. Older adults with limited mobility are more likely to fall, experience localized pain, and become malnourished.3 These mobility challenges can lead to feelings of frustration, depression, and dependency, all of which can diminish one’s quality of life and well-being.

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Understanding the Needs of Individuals with Impaired Physical Mobility

Understanding the challenges of mobility-impaired individuals is essential for modifying environments and providing support that promotes their well-being and independence.4 Using supportive tools to improve their accessibility can go a long way in enhancing their quality of life by helping them participate in daily activities.

In addition to connecting them with the right tools and resources, showing empathy, awareness, and compassion can make a significant difference in the lives of individuals with impaired physical mobility.

Whether due to aging, a chronic condition, or disability, mobility aids and supportive furniture play a vital role in addressing these challenges and enhancing user independence. Assistive devices such as bathroom grab bars, adjustable beds, wheelchairs, walkers, mobility chairs, and mobility scooters can provide much-needed support, enabling individuals to move around more easily, safely, and comfortably.

Introducing the VELA Chair: An Essential Aid for Mobility-Impaired Individuals

Uniquely designed for those with mobility disability challenges, a VELA Independence Chair can be used throughout the home to perform a wide range of normal, everyday tasks and activities. Resembling a standard office chair, the VELA Chair’s sleek and modern appearance allows it to blend into any decor while being used in the home or workplace.

Key features of the mobility-empowering VELA Chair include:

Ergonomic Support
Maintaining proper posture can be challenging for those with impaired mobility, leading to discomfort and breathing difficulties. A VELA Chair is ergonomically designed to promote proper posture and support the body in a comfortable position. The chair’s foam-padded seat, armrests, and backrest conform to the body and gently hug its contours, providing optimal support and comfort in all the right places.

Streamlined Mobility
A VELA Chair has four smooth-gliding wheels, making it easy for a user to “walk” or push themselves around while seated, conserving precious energy and relieving stress off achy joints and muscles. The chair can also seamlessly navigate various surfaces, including tile, wood, stone, and low pile carpets. Its profile is surprisingly narrow, allowing for ease-of- navigation through doorways and around furniture.

impaired physical mobility

Ease of Use
VELA Chairs are designed with functionality in mind, incorporating features that include an electric adjustable seat height, tilt options, and swivel capabilities, making it possible for individuals with impaired physical mobility to sit down, stand up, and move around without assistance. The chair’s intuitive controls and user-friendly design allow the user to adjust it to their preferred position with minimal effort, enhancing their comfort and self-reliance.

Versatility and Adaptability
VELA chairs will accommodate a wide range of users with diverse mobility needs. Whether someone requires extra backrest support, additional electric options, or a footrest to relieve tired legs, a VELA Chair can be customized to ensure optimal comfort, stability, and functionality. This adaptability feature makes the chair suitable for those with varying levels of mobility impairment, ensuring each user can find a chair that meets their specific requirements.

Safety and Security
Once engaged, the VELA Chair’s robust handbrake locks the wheels securely in place, preventing the chair from rolling away while reaching for items high or low or transferring to another surface. The chair’s sturdy armrests, backrest, and seat hold a user safely and comfortably in place while moving around or remaining stationary.

Peace of Mind
In addition to the physical benefits, VELA Chairs also help enhance the emotional well- being of individuals with impaired mobility. Providing a comfortable, safe, and supportive seating solution empowers users to feel confident, reassured, and self-reliant while engaging in normal, everyday activities around the home or workplace. Because it will never roll away from under you once the wheels are locked, you’ll always have peace of mind knowing your VELA Chair is there when you need it most!

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How to Choose the Right Mobility Chair

When you have impaired physical mobility, choosing the right mobility chair is essential for maintaining your independence, quality of life, and well-being.
Key factors to consider when selecting a mobility chair include:

  • Mobility requirements and physical limitations
  • Lifestyle
  • Comfort and support
  • Safety and security
  • Size and weight capacity
  • Maneuverability
  • Adjustability for optimal positioning
  • Durability and maintenance requirements

At VELA, we make it easy to find the perfect mobility chair for your or your loved one’s mobility disability needs. Ready to reimagine your mobility and reclaim your self-reliance? Learn more about the amazing VELA Independence Chair here.

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Scott Grant’s Detailed Review

VELA Independence Chair’s Innovative Design and Life-Changing Benefits

Scott Grant, the esteemed blogger behind “Graying with Grace,” has published an in-depth and glowing review of our VELA Independence Chair. In his analysis, Scott highlights the chair’s innovative design, exceptional ergonomic features, and its profound impact on enhancing daily living.

To understand why Scott Grant considers the VELA Independence Chair a transformative mobility aid, read the full review here and watch the detailed video review here.