Independent living made easier

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Smart support for independent living 

For many individuals, maintaining independence at home is essential for preserving dignity, confidence, and well-being. Whether due to aging, disability, or recovery from injury, challenges with mobility and daily activities can lead to greater reliance on caregivers and emergency services. Fortunately, advancements in assistive technology are transforming homes into spaces that promote autonomy, safety, and comfort. 

Independent living is about maintaining control, making personal decisions, and participating meaningfully in daily life. For clinicians, occupational therapists (OTs), and physiotherapists (PTs), supporting this independence is a core goal. The right assistive technologies can make a profound difference in helping individuals stay safe, capable, and confident in their own environments. 

Everyday tasks such as transitioning from sitting to standing, moving between rooms, or recovering from a fall, can become barriers without the right tools. These challenges impact not only the individual but also place physical and emotional strain on caregivers and family members. 

 

Everyday mobility solutions  

Falls are a significant concern, particularly for older adults. More than one in four people aged 65 years or older fall each year. Additionally, one out of 10 falls results in an injury that leads to restricted activities for a day or more or the need for healthcare. Avoiding certain situations to prevent further falls can restrict independence, greatly impacting quality of life. Effective fall prevention breaks this cycle. The VELA Tango chair and Mangar Eagle lifting cushion provide user-friendly solutions to help individuals maintain their confidence and independence at home. 

The VELA Tango chair enhances mobility by allowing users to move around the home safely and securely while seated. With smooth-rolling wheels, a secure central brake, and adjustable height and tilt features, the Tango chair promotes safe transitions and helps users conserve energy during tasks like cooking, cleaning, and personal care. Available in manual or electric lift models, including a heavy-duty option, it fits a range of mobility needs without requiring home modifications. The positive impacts of the chairs include: 

  • 200-300mm height-adjustable seat, facilitating access to higher level cupboards and work surfaces 
  • Stable and secure movement with central braking 
  • Supports movement from a sitting to standing position 

 

The Mangar Eagle lifting cushion addresses the risk and recovery of falls with dignity and ease. Lightweight and portable, the cushion inflates to gently raise someone into a seated position, supporting the head, neck, and back throughout. Its compact design fits tight spaces like bathrooms and enables single-handed care, making it an ideal home safety device. The cushion can also be used to increase mobility by supporting an individual to move to a floor level safely to perform tasks such as cleaning or gardening, and then securely lifting them back for easier standing or transfer to mobility aids. The key features include: 

  • Compact, portable, and easy to clean 
  • Supports assisted or independent recovery 
  • Reduces risk of injury for carers or family members 

 

Both the VELA Tango chair and the Mangar Eagle cushion help reduce the physical demands on caregivers, ensuring users receive dignified, efficient support. These devices offer practical, reliable options for OTs and PTs looking to help individuals live safely and independently for as long as possible. 

With the right tools in place, independent living becomes not only achievable, but sustainable. These innovations empower individuals to navigate daily life with comfort, control, and confidence, making every day more manageable, empowering, and fulfilling 
 

Sources and additional resource references: 

VELA. (n.d.). Sit to stand chair enables you to do more at home. Retrieved April 4, 2025, from https://example.com/vela-sit-to-stand-chair 

VELA. (n.d.). Assistive devices at home. Retrieved April 4, 2025, from https://www.vela.eu/user-scenarios/home/assistive-devices-at-home  

VELA. (n.d.). A chair for fall prevention. Retrieved April 4, 2025, from https://www.vela.eu/personal-stories/a-chair-for-fall-prevention 

Mangar Health. (n.d.). Eagle lifting cushion. Retrieved April 4, 2025, from https://mangarhealth.com/us/by-winncare/store/product/safe-patient-lifting/eagle-lifting-cushion/ 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2024, March 7). Falls data & research: Facts and statistics. Retrieved April 4, 2025, from https://www.cdc.gov/falls/data-research/facts-stats/index.html 

National Institute on Aging (NIA). (n.d.). Falls and fractures in older adults: Causes and prevention. Retrieved April 4, 2025, from https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/falls-and-falls-prevention/falls-and-fractures-older-adults-causes-and-prevention 

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