Preparing the lift is the first task of a well-chosen chair for Parkinson’s. The product does not act on freezing and does not replace a physiotherapist, occupational therapist or medication, but it can offer a more predictable environment: feet resting, stable armrests, a correct seat and progressive electric movement.
Always finding the same points of support can help the person organise the movement. A solid armrest does not “cure” motor blocking, but it avoids reaching for unstable holds on the table, the walker or the caregiver’s body.
Using Sollevita means having a chair that is always fully equipped, produced by Poltrone La Castellana. The stability of the armrests coexists with their modularity: during the lift they remain structured supports; when you need to reach the table or carry out a lateral transfer, the upper part or the entire side can be removed.
In brief
- The armrests can become constant references for preparing the hands, feet and the shift of body weight.
- The electric lift should proceed gradually and give the person time to start the movement.
- The seat should be supportive enough to keep the pelvis from sinking and deep enough to rest the back against it.
- Tilt and Zero Gravity serve comfort between one activity and another, not to treat Parkinson’s.
- The assessment should include differences between morning and evening, “on/off” periods, use of aids and the presence of the caregiver.
Preparing the lift: feet, hands and time
Positioning the feet before pressing the control avoids reaching an almost-standing position without a stable base. The person should be able to rest both feet on the ground or in the position indicated by the professional following them, without a seat that is too high leaving them suspended.
Resting the hands and forearms on the armrests makes it possible to recognise a fixed reference. The goal is not to pull hard, but to prepare the trunk and sense the moment when the chair begins to accompany the body.
Starting the movement gradually allows more time to shift the weight forward. A lift that is too rapid can catch you off guard; a progressive movement, on the other hand, makes it possible to stop, resume and better coordinate the action according to the person’s abilities.
Staying for a few seconds in the almost-upright position can be useful before starting to walk. This pause should not be improvised: it should be defined with the professional if the person has instability, dizziness, drops in blood pressure or falls.
A stable armrest is not a decorative accessory
Supporting the weight of the arms reduces the need to bend the trunk to look for support. The height and shape of the armrest must therefore be consistent with the shoulders, elbows and grip ability.
Always recognising the same support can give more confidence during moments of hesitation. Parkinson’s UK describes freezing as a temporary block of movement that can appear in different situations and recommends an individual assessment with expert professionals; a chair should therefore support the routine, not promise to resolve the symptom.
Removing the armrest only becomes useful in an activity other than the lift. To move closer to the table you can remove the upper part; to free the side towards a wheelchair or bed, complete removal is considered, always keeping a safe transfer surface.
Sitting down without letting yourself fall
Approaching the chair requires enough space in front of the seat and a path free of rugs or cables. The person must be able to feel the chair behind their legs and reach the armrests without excessive twisting.
Using the movement in reverse can accompany the descent. The chair is brought into a high position, the person leans according to their abilities and the motor progressively lowers the seat instead of leaving all the control to the knees.
Keeping the feet away from the mechanisms is essential during every movement. Children, animals and objects must stay out of the footrest’s opening area, and the chair must rest stably on its feet when the person gets on or off.
Morning and evening: the same chair may require two different routines
| Moment | Possible practical difficulty | Careful use of Sollevita |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Stiffness and slowness in starting the movement | Prepare the feet and hands, then activate a slow lift |
| After lunch | Need to rest without losing head support | Tilt, Zero Gravity and Push Head |
| Afternoon | Need to stay at the table or use a tablet | Removal of the upper part of the armrest and vertical adjustment |
| Evening | Fatigue and reduced control during the descent | Seat brought up high and progressive lowering |
| Difficult day | More help from the caregiver | Lateral access, vertical lift and assessment of transfers |
Adapting the routine to the time of day is more useful than looking for a single position. Parkinson’s can present periods with different mobility; the healthcare team can help recognise freezing, “off” periods and other causes of difficulty in movement.
Tilt, Zero Gravity and Push Head between one movement and another
Tilting the entire chair body can offer a more gathered position without opening the angle between the backrest and seat too much. This adjustment is particularly appreciated by independent people who are looking for superior comfort and want to change their posture during the day.
Using Zero Gravity brings the pelvis and legs above heart level and can encourage a more relieved sense of rest. In Parkinson’s it should be presented as a comfort option and not as a solution for stiffness, tremor or freezing.
Adjusting the Push Head makes it possible to change the head support when the backrest changes its inclination. The motorised headrest can be useful during television, reading and micro-naps, provided it does not push the neck into a forced position.
Correct measurements: when the chair “fits” the movement
Resting the back against the backrest requires a depth suited to the length of the thighs. Sollevita offers three seat depths, so a short person does not have to slide the pelvis forward to reach the floor and a tall person is not left with their thighs poorly supported.
Choosing the correct width requires more than a weight measurement. The 52 or 63 cm seats are assessed together with body build, arm position, use of the armrests and any lateral transfer.
Sizing the load capacity and motors avoids the mechanics working at their limit. Sollevita is offered with load capacities from 180 up to 350 kg and with 5 or 6 independent motors according to the version needed.
Sitting for a long time requires a stable base. The triple-layer seat with pocket springs distributes the support and counteracts the effect of a chair that is too yielding, without being presented as an anti-decubitus system.
A concrete example: preparing the movement without rushing
Getting up in the morning can begin with a sequence that is always the same: feet positioned, hands on the armrests, gaze ahead, the control operated in small intervals and a pause in the almost-upright position. Repeatability does not guarantee the absence of freezing, but it can make the environment less unpredictable.
Sitting down in the evening can follow the opposite sequence: approaching the chair, contact with the armrests, the seat brought up high and a controlled lowering. The caregiver observes and steps in according to the agreed plan, without pulling the person by the arms.
When to involve a physiotherapist or occupational therapist
Observing falls, frequent freezing or sudden changes in mobility calls for discussion with the healthcare team. The occupational therapist can also assess the environment, the height of the furniture, aids and safer sequences for household activities.
Trying the chair with the usual aid avoids abstract assessments. A walker, cane or wheelchair takes up space and changes the way the person approaches, turns and sets off again from the seat.
What sets Sollevita apart in this case
Integrating stable, removable armrests into the same design makes it possible to support the lift without giving up lateral access. The modularity also allows the backrest, armrests and wings to be dismantled for delivery, maintenance and cleaning.
Keeping the chair over time is easier thanks to the fully removable dual covers, the stain-resistant and washable fabrics and the anti-fraying edges. These details matter when the chair accompanies meals, rest and care every day.
Assessing the Sollevita assistive chair means starting from the movements observed at home: how the person prepares the lift, where they rest their hands, when the blocks appear and what help they receive.
Relying on the La Castellana service means being able to describe age, height, weight, hours spent seated, differences between morning and evening, use of aids and the presence of the caregiver. Italian production, more than fifty years of experience, spare parts and a full 3-year warranty accompany the product after delivery.
With the person’s consent, record a short sequence of sitting down and getting up, or describe it step by step to the Sollevita team. The consultation will assess the armrests, height, depth, width, load capacity, the chair’s movements and the space needed for the aids already in use.
Frequently asked questions
Can an armrest unblock freezing?
No. The armrest can offer a stable reference for preparing the movement, but freezing is a complex symptom that must be managed with the healthcare team.
How do you use the lift function without catching the person off guard?
You try a slow sequence, with the feet already positioned and the hands resting on the armrests. The control should be operated in small stretches until the person knows the movement well.
Why does seat depth matter in Parkinson’s?
An incorrect depth can prevent resting the back or feet well and make it more tiring to shift the weight before the lift.
Is Sollevita only useful when Parkinson’s is advanced?
No. An independent person may choose it for tilt, Push Head, bed 180°, premium comfort and the ability to adapt the routine over time.
When should the armrest be removed?
The upper part can be removed to get closer under the table; the complete side is considered for lateral access or transfers. During the lift, however, the armrest remains an important support.
What should I tell the customer service team?
Describe when difficulties appear, how the lift happens, which aids are used, how many hours the person stays seated and how the movements change during the day.
FAQ
Common questions
Can an armrest unblock freezing?
No. The armrest can offer a stable reference for preparing the movement, but freezing is a complex symptom that must be managed with the healthcare team.
How do you use the lift function without catching the person off guard?
You try a slow sequence, with the feet already positioned and the hands resting on the armrests. The control should be operated in small stretches until the person knows the movement well.
Why does seat depth matter in Parkinson's?
An incorrect depth can prevent resting the back or feet well and make it more tiring to shift the weight before the lift.
Is Sollevita only useful when Parkinson's is advanced?
No. An independent person may choose it for tilt, Push Head, bed 180°, premium comfort and the ability to adapt the routine over time.
When should the armrest be removed?
The upper part can be removed to get closer under the table; the complete side is considered for lateral access or transfers. During the lift, however, the armrest remains an important support.
What should I tell the customer service team?
Describe when difficulties appear, how the lift happens, which aids are used, how many hours the person stays seated and how the movements change during the day.
