Net suspension wheelchair
Design of a long-stay support for immobile people in nursing homes
Information
Author: Halilovic, A.
Contributor: Molenbroek, J.F.M., Van der Cammen, T.
Faculty: Industrial Design Engineering
Department: Design Engineering
Programme: Master of Science Design for Interaction
Type: Master thesis
Date: 29-9-2014
Keywords: Wheelchair | Suspension | Immobile | Long stay | Nursing home | Transfers | Elderly | Terminally ill
Abstract
A net suspension chair is designed for terminally-ill people, in their end-of-life phase, in nursing homes that supports the transfers with a sliding sheet. The focus is on comfort and the efficiency of transfers to support the daily activities of the users. When the users are nearing their end-of-life, it becomes hard for them to move their bodies and the regular wheelchairs will feels too hard for them. That's why a net suspension based on the hammock principle is used to decrease the discomfort for users and the chance of developing decubitus, also known as pressure ulcers.
To support the transfers with a sliding sheet, the net suspension chair needs to be flattened out. A flattening mechanism is designed for this purpose. The combination of a comfortable net suspension with the ability to support transfers with a sliding sheet is unique for wheelchairs.
Current wheelchairs on the market are not comfortable enough for them and are not specialized for these users. Transferring them between the bed and the wheelchair is a daily tough job. The nurses need to get them out of bed with a passive hoist that lift them into their wheelchairs, which is very time consuming. The Net Suspension Wheelchair allows people in their end-of-life phase to sit, eat and sleep comfortably without getting complications in combination with supporting transfers using a sliding sheet.
