Testimonials

Broda Model: Midline Tilt Recliner
Condition of Resident: Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. Receiving hospice care.

Our patient had a standard wheel chair that was insufficient to meet his mobility needs.

Since using the Broda chair, the patient is able to move around comfortably at the nursing home. He is able to attend activities and it is now possible for him to go to the dining room for meals.

The goal of Home Hospice is to give our patients the highest level of dignity and comfort possible during their final days. This chair has allowed our patient to have significantly improved quality of life. We greatly appreciate the extra time and effort that Roger Jenkins, Broda Representative for Northern Texas, gave in providing this chair.

Our patient is very pleased with his new chair and stated that "It's like getting a new car."

To the attention of Doctor ____, my name is LeAnne Tacker I am an occupational therapist at Arkansas Convalescent Center. I am writing on behalf of my client Mr. _____ Smith, who is currently requiring the provision of a more applicable seating surface. I have visited extensively with him and his wife in regards to his prior modes of mobility as well as his comfort level with those devices.

Mr. Smith was provided a wheelchair which he was able to tolerate for roughly five years. Following that decline, the VA provided him with a Geri Chair. He tolerated that chair for roughly three to four years, but has now reached another decline in his tolerance level. Over the past eight plus years Mr. Smith has afforded to remain in his home under the care of his wife with only intermittent periods of hospitalization. Mrs. Smith has done her best to diligently provide preventative measures to offset the development of pressure sores. She stated that he may have had only one or two minor developments over the years. Mr. Smith was admitted to ACC on 03/05/09 to participate in the therapy program and discharge home following his stay. He was admitted with an unstageable pressure ulcer on sacral area. All this explanation leads me this point of extreme importance to why we are pleading for your assistance in our request for the VA to provide Mr. Smith with a quality BRODA Chair.

Mr. Smith was unable to tolerate a w/c shortly following Ills arrival at ACC, and thus was placed in a Geri Chair. It became quickly apparent that he could hardly tolerate a Geri Chair due to severe discomfort and pain to his pressure sensitive areas. He attends dialysis Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from the hours of 9:30 am to 2:00 pm. Upon return from dialysis he is often tearful and unable to tolerate a meal before being laid down, much less participate in any therapy services. Although, even on the days he did not have the scheduling demands of dialysis, his comfort level and activity tolerance was so limited, and therapy continued to have difficulty providing him treatment anywhere but in the bed. At that time I placed Mr. Smith in a Broda Chair. He now tolerates six to seven hours out of bed on days he does not go to dialysis and is able to tolerate 2 to 3 hours following his return from dialysis.

By advanced Broda chairs distribute weight more evenly, preventing agitation and further development of pressure sores. In my professional opinion a Broda Chair is far more superior to the standard Geri Chair. Mr. Smith's comfort and tolerance has achieved significant improvements. I only hope that I can provide him that same comfort level for his return home. I was informed with VA assistance and Doctor's approval my client may qualify for a Broda Chair. I hope my explanation and introduction of Mr. Smith's specific circumstances provides you with necessary personal background information and support to assist you in your medical decision on this important matter. Please free to call me at anytime on my cell phone (___-___-____).

LeAnne Tacker OTR/L.

Or for more information on the Broda Chairs you visit www.brodaseating.com or call (1-800-668-0637) I look forward to hearing from you.

We have not had any skin breakdown with our residents in the Broda Tilt Recliner chairs since we started using them four years ago. We attribute this to the design of the straps allowing for moisture wicking as well as the ability to easily position the chair in a tilt and/or recline position for pressure relief.

Broda Seating Product's are superior in the areas of comfort, pressure reduction, positioning, ease of transfers and repositioning, cost-effectiveness, durability, and ease of use which gives them a leadership role in the market for wheelchair users. The Tension Strapping System also allows freedom of movement without harmful effects for those individuals who have uncontrolled and involuntary motor responses yet still gives them appropriate support for out of bed activites. Individuals living in Extended Care Facilities have multiple medical conditions that limit overall function, mobility, and safety making their seating requirements challenging and complex. These individuals are often at high risk for falls, skin problems, joint contractures, respiratory and swallowing deficits and cannot tolerate upright sitting for extended periods of time. The Broda Products are highly effective in accommodating these complex issues and allow for optimal seating for prolonged periods of time without adverse effects. The Broda Products make it easier for caregivers to provide optimal care with less stress on the client and the caregiver. For example, easier transfers, easier repositioning , less maintenance, and easier mobility. Broda Seating Products help prevent multiple health and safety issues currently effecting this population. These include:

• Prevention of pressure sores and skin tears
• Prevention or accommodation of joint contractures
• Prevention of falls or use of restraints
• Prevention of pain and discomfort
• Prevention of behavior problems or resident demands
• Prevention of swallowing problems or respiratory problems caused by forward flexed postures.
• Prevention of loss of mobility and function
• Improvement in their dignity and well being
• Prevention of becoming bedridden or isolated in their rooms

Physiological Effects with Proper Positioning using Broda Products:

• Neutral head and neck positioning for safe swallowing, chewing, feeding, and speech production, as well as good visual orientation.
• Proximal trunk stability allows for effective Upper Extremity range of motion and function for ADL and recreational activities and wheelchair propulsion
• Extended Spinal alignment expands lung capacity and optimizes vital organs, improving respiratory and digestive function.
• Decreases mechanical stresses at sacrum, coccyx, and spinous processes with resultant improvement of skin integrity, improved blood flow, and prevention of pressure ulcers.
• Optimal Leg and foot support decreasing risk of contractures, loss of mobility, pressure sores or skin tears.

Key components of a chair that are recommended when selecting a seating system for this vulnerable population:

• A comfortable, pressure reducing seat, back and head support
• Proper arm support that can be easily moved out of the way for transfers in and out of the chair.
• Proper leg support so that legs cannot fall between leg rests
• The ability to tilt or recline so that pressure points can be redistributed throughout the day for effective prevention of pressure sores and so they can rest or sleep when fatigued.
• The Potential for easy self propulsion
• Should be light weight, have low maintenance, and be user friendly.

The Broda Products have all of these components making it a smart choice for all residents needing a wheelchair for extended periods of time. With optimal seating choices, residents will have an improved quality of life and will be able to participate in out of bed activities with the comfort and safety they desire.