SPINAL CORD INJURY AND TRANSFERS

Riser recliner chair for spinal cord injury: wheelchair, height and side access

A riser recliner chair for spinal cord injury should open up a real possibility in the day: reading with different supports, being with the family, resting or receiving care. For anyone who uses a wheelchair, Sollevita is a second place at home. The choice includes the transfers to reach it and to leave it, keeping the supports and the independence already in place.

Sollevita is a riser recliner chair with integrated care features, made in Italy by La Castellana. It brings together adjustments for comfort, vertical height adjustment and side access. Measurements and functions are chosen together with the Sollevita Team, in keeping with the equipment used, with rehabilitation and with the individual pressure management programme.

Sollevita is also designed for people who transfer independently, walk or are mainly looking for a comfortable seat. It is not reserved for continuous care: its value lies in making room for everyday wellbeing and for the activities you want. Which functions to use and which supports are needed are defined around the person, not around the name of the diagnosis alone.

On this page

Level and completeness of the injury change the need
The wheelchair keeps its own role in the day
Measurements, cushion and supports: assess the seat as actually used
A few centimetres of height can change the transfer
Removable side panel and transfer board: preparing the space
Bed to chair and chair to bed must work in both directions
Skin and shoulders: what comfort must not obscure
Tilt-in-space, Zero Gravity and head control
The rise function and vertical height adjustment do not have the same task
Catheters, tubing and devices: keeping access and connections
Intuitive handsets and a personal choice of controls
A sturdy wheeled base for reaching the rooms of the home
Carers and vertical height adjustment
The eight Sollevita functions, already integrated
Everyday management and support over time
What to tell the Sollevita Team before the consultation
Answers on the second seat and on transfers

Level and completeness of the injury change the need

The level and the completeness of the injury can affect movement, sensation, trunk control and use of the hands. Even people with a similar level of injury can have different abilities and needs. Paraplegia, tetraplegia or tetraparesis help to describe the picture, but on their own they do not determine which chair to choose or how to use it.

One person carries out transfers independently, perhaps with a transfer board; another needs assistance; another uses a patient hoist. A chair for spinal cord injury should be assessed within this real organisation, rather than asking the person to fit a demonstration that is the same for everyone.

The hours spent in the wheelchair, the supports already identified, sensation in the contact areas and use of the handset all matter too. The person brings their own experience to the discussion: which movements they manage, where they meet obstacles and which activity they would like to carry out in the new seat.

The wheelchair keeps its own role in the day

The wheelchair keeps its functions for mobility and, where provided, for personalised positioning. Sollevita sits alongside it as a second place for resting and for some care activities, with adjustments and supports to be chosen together with the person.

Reading in the living room, sharing a conversation or taking a break are concrete reasons for wanting another seat. Organising the return to the wheelchair as well, with the help required, makes it possible to enjoy those moments while keeping the freedom to choose where to be.

In the discussion, consider which adjustments the wheelchair already offers and which possibility Sollevita would add. The construction and functional differences of Sollevita help in recognising the different movements, without attributing the same characteristics to every other seat. The measure remains the activity you want, together with the supports and the assistance planned.

Measurements, cushion and supports: assess the seat as actually used

Sollevita is available with a seat 52 or 63 cm wide and three depths, obtained through the positioning of the backrest. These options should be compared with the proportions of the person, the position of the pelvis, support for the legs and the distance of the armrests. A wider seat is not automatically more favourable: it can move useful supports further away.

The three-layer seat construction combines a sprung seat base, individually pocketed springs and an upper comfort layer. High backrest, Push Head and the footrest extension complete the design. Their contribution is assessed in the setting actually used, not just by looking at the empty chair.

A specialist cushion is part of the whole to be considered. It should not be left out because the padding seems welcoming, nor transferred automatically from the wheelchair on the assumption that it will behave the same way on a different base. Compatibility, positioning and the relationship with the other supports all need to be checked.

The configuration for high user weight goes up to 340 kg. The Sollevita Team helps you choose user weight rating, seat measurements and configuration together, taking into account the supports and equipment in use.

A few centimetres of height can change the transfer

In a wheelchair-to-chair transfer, the difference in height between the surfaces can change the effort asked of the arms and the conditions of the move. The height to compare is that of the seat as actually used, including the cushion, and not just of the frame. For the bed, the mattress in place is taken into account too.

Vertical height adjustment changes the height of the whole of Sollevita while the person stays seated or lying down, without tilting them towards standing. Within its range of travel, it makes it possible to bring the height of the chair closer to that of the other surface. Before ordering, ask which heights are reachable in the configuration proposed.

The discussion should make clear whether the measurements available refer to empty surfaces or to the situation in use. Padding and cushions can compress differently: two identical catalogue figures do not necessarily describe the same support during a transfer. There is no need to organise an uncertain move in order to gather this information; the starting point is the documents and the information already available.

Matching two heights does not on its own define the technique. Distance, free side, trunk control, supports, equipment and assistance all need to be considered together. The adjustment prepares a condition for the move; it does not decide how to carry it out.

Removable side panel and transfer board: preparing the space

A fixed side panel can get in the way of coming close exactly where the move happens. On Sollevita the whole side panel is removable without tools, following the product instructions. The side opening and the adjustable height make it possible to assess bringing the chair closer to the wheelchair or the bed.

If a transfer board is already part of the procedure, the check concerns that board and the actual surfaces: contact points, distance, dimensions and conditions of use. An open side is not a continuous surface and does not demonstrate universal compatibility. A soft cover should not automatically be treated as a suitable support point for the equipment.

Removing and refitting the side panel is part of everyday use. When the move is independent but a hand is needed to remove the element or position the wheelchair, it is worth organising that help together with the choice of the place.

The removable upper armrest section, on the other hand, has a different task: it can free up space for coming closer to a compatible table. Removing the whole side panel concerns side access. In both cases the supports the activity requires must remain available.

Bed to chair and chair to bed must work in both directions

A transfer that is manageable from the bed to the chair may require a different arrangement on the way back. Position of the surfaces, side available and direction of the height difference all change; tiredness and the presence of someone helping can change too. That is why the assessment covers both moves, not only the arrival.

The lie-flat transfer configuration combines the lie-flat position (180°), vertical height adjustment and the side panel removed. It offers a flat surface, adjustable in height and able to be brought alongside the bed, to prepare some transfers. Side access and vertical height adjustment can also play a part in other configurations: there is no need to bring the chair into the lie-flat position for every move from the wheelchair.

Where slide sheets, boards, slings or a patient hoist are used, they keep their own task. Compatibility concerns the actual products, the space and the positions planned. It cannot be inferred from the presence of a removable side panel alone and does not require trying a transfer different from the one already indicated.

Organising the supports on arrival and the return to the usual place is what makes a second seat genuinely usable through the day. The Sollevita Team clarifies the configuration, while the way the transfer is done follows the guidance for the person.

Skin and shoulders: what comfort must not obscure

In spinal cord injury, sensation may be reduced or absent in some areas. Pressure, rubbing or creases might therefore not be felt straight away. The absence of pain is not enough to confirm that a new surface is suitable. Guidance on skin, supports and changes of position must accompany the use of the chair as well.

Sollevita is not presented as a pressure-relief chair. The three-layer seat construction offers support and comfort, and the adjustments make it possible to vary the setting, but they do not replace a specialist cushion or an individual pressure management programme. The choice of surface and supports should be discussed with whoever follows the person.

The shoulders can be heavily used in transfers. Reducing a height difference or freeing up access can improve the preparation of the move, without guaranteeing a reduction in pain or making any technique appropriate. New pain, greater difficulty or repeated attempts deserve reassessment, not a request to push harder.

Cushions, protective covers and additional upholstery are part of the surface in use. They should be considered together with the supports and the care plan; any repositioning of the body follows the procedures already indicated, without dragging.

Tilt-in-space, Zero Gravity and head control

Tilt-in-space tilts seat and backrest together, keeping the angle between the two parts. Backrest recline, on the other hand, changes the angle of the backrest in relation to the seat. These are different movements, useful to understand when looking for other supports for reading, talking or resting.

Changing the orientation of the structure does not mean automatically repositioning a pelvis that has slid or correcting a lean of the trunk. The adjustment should be used with the supports planned; it does not replace the repositioning or pressure-relief procedures indicated for the person.

The Zero Gravity position combines tilt-in-space, backrest and footrest into a relaxed setting with legs and feet raised. It is a comfort option, not a treatment for spinal cord injury and not pressure relief. There is no need to reach the maximum angle in order to use the adjustments.

Push Head changes the support for head and neck in the different positions. It should be considered together with trunk support and does not automatically replace a specialist cervical or lateral support. The lie-flat position (180°) offers a further flat position where appropriate: availability of the function and a position usable by the person remain two different checks.

The rise function and vertical height adjustment do not have the same task

The rise function progressively guides the pelvis upwards and forwards for the move into standing; the reverse movement accompanies the return to the seat. Vertical height adjustment instead changes the height of the whole structure with the person seated or lying down. You may need the second without using the first.

When moving into standing is among the appropriate activities, the rise function is assessed with the supports and the assistance planned. It is not enough that the motor raises the seat to make standing possible: balance, control and individual guidance keep their own role.

If the person transfers laterally or uses a patient hoist, the assessment can focus on access, height, seating and rest. No standing trial is needed to judge the other functions. The rise function is not a therapeutic standing device and is not used to replace exercises or rehabilitation procedures.

Catheters, tubing and devices: keeping access and connections

Catheters, bags, tubing and other devices must be taken into account in the configuration in use. The space available with the chair stationary is not enough: what happens during the adjustments, when coming alongside and during any moves within the home must be checked too. Connections must not be stretched, pinched or caught in moving parts.

Clinical management of the devices follows the guidance received. The Sollevita Team clarifies dimensions, areas of movement and access on the product; it does not modify the circuit of a catheter or how a device is used. Fixings, mountings or extensions are not improvised in order to complete the setup.

For the consultation, the details of the devices and a description of where they sit are useful, without intimate photographs or documentation that is not relevant. This information makes it possible to identify the checks needed before use, rather than looking for an arrangement once the person is already in the chair.

Intuitive handsets and a personal choice of controls

Sollevita handsets are designed for simple use, with intuitive buttons in a logical layout. Corded and wireless versions are available: the Sollevita Team helps you choose the one that is most convenient for the configuration, for habits and for any help from a carer.

Where there is tetraplegia or tetraparesis, use of the hands and support for the arm may call for specific attention. The starting point is the way the person already does things. The choice between corded and wireless is not the same as integration with a joystick or wheelchair controls: any specialist connections need to be checked separately.

When assistance is needed, the person keeps their usual way of expressing a preference and asking for help. Managing the handset and using any call system are organised together, each for its own task.

The Sollevita Team shows the useful adjustments calmly and offers tutorials and support by video call. The explanation focuses on the movements that will be part of the day, keeping the assistance planned for any personal trial.

A sturdy wheeled base for reaching the rooms of the home

The sturdy wheeled base allows accompanied moves inside the home with the person seated, including along longer routes. It makes it possible to reach another room while keeping the same seat, respecting dimensions, route and product instructions. The lithium battery powers the adjustments, not the drive of the wheels; the base is not intended for outdoor use.

Being able to stay close to the family or reach a quiet area adds a choice to the day. Anyone who moves independently in a wheelchair keeps that freedom and decides when to prefer an accompanied move in the chair. The two pieces of equipment have different tasks.

A useful place must also allow the activity once you arrive. For reading or using a device, the view, arm support and objects within reach all count. For coming closer to a table, armrests, space under the surface and the supports required need to be compared. The activity, not the move alone, is what gives the choice its value.

Moving on the wheeled base and transferring between surfaces are separate moments. Before getting into or leaving the chair, the stable condition set out in the instructions must be restored. The structure is not moved while the person is carrying out the transfer.

Carers and vertical height adjustment

Vertical height adjustment can bring the person to a more favourable height during dressing, adjusting clothing, shaving and hair care or other compatible activities. The removable side panel makes it possible to come alongside and work less far from the body.

This adjustment can limit some bending and reaching, but it does not remove the physical demands of care. Where the person has to be supported, turned or fully transferred, the equipment and the procedures already planned remain necessary. Working height does not replace technique.

Whoever is helping needs to know the relevant adjustments, the supports to maintain and the way the person communicates their preferences. If several people take turns, a shared explanation prevents each one using controls and components differently.

The eight Sollevita functions, already integrated

Sollevita is a single complete model. The drive system includes between 5 and 8 independent motors, depending on the user weight rating. The eight main functions make it possible to assess seating, resting, moving into standing where appropriate, and care activities in the same product.

Rise function — Accompanies the move towards standing and, through the reverse movement, the return to sitting.
Relax — Adjusts backrest and footrest for reading, television or a break, including intermediate positions.
Powered headrest Push Head — Changes the support for head and neck at the different angles.
Tilt-in-space — Tilts seat and backrest together, keeping the chosen angle between the two parts.
Zero Gravity — Combines the adjustments into a relaxed setting with legs and feet raised.
Lie-flat position (180°) — Offers a flat configuration for resting and for the uses appropriate to the person.
Vertical height adjustment — Raises or lowers the whole structure while the person stays seated or lying down.
Lie-flat transfer configuration — Combines flat surface, adjustable height and removed side panel to prepare the approach to the bed and some transfers.

The design is completed by the three-layer seat construction, the high backrest, the footrest extension, the removable upper armrest sections and the removable side panel. Battery, wheeled base, removable outer and underlying covers and modular construction all contribute to everyday management. Completeness makes different possibilities available, without requiring you to use them all.

See functions, measurements and price of Sollevita to look further into the configuration proposed and the relevant technical data.

Everyday management and support over time

Both the outer and the underlying covers can be removed, following the instructions. Fabrics and faux leather require the care set out for the material chosen. Ease of maintenance does not replace assessment of the surface in contact with the person and of any protective covers added.

The modular construction allows targeted work on the components. The Sollevita Team offers explanations, tutorials, video calls and technical support; original spare parts and the five-year commercial warranty, according to the conditions of purchase, accompany the product over time. The Warranty & Service page sets out cover and arrangements.

If the cushion, the wheelchair or the way transfers are done change, how the chair is used should be reconsidered as well. The Sollevita Team remains the point of reference for the technical possibilities, in dialogue with whoever follows supports and care. That is how versatility is used in relation to real needs.

What to tell the Sollevita Team before the consultation

Tell us which activity you want to carry out in the chair and what must remain available: supports, equipment, devices and independence. The type of wheelchair, the cushion used and the way transfers are done allow the Sollevita Team to prepare a discussion close to your experience.

Add height, weight, the measurements available and information about the routes in your home. We can also talk about a corded or wireless handset and about who prepares the removable elements. For pressure management or other specialist needs, the guidance relevant to use is enough.

A photograph of the empty space and the details of the equipment are a good start. There is no need to repeat transfers to show a difficulty: explaining the functions comes before any personal trial, which is organised in appropriate conditions.

How the consultation works

3 steps to define the perfect Sollevita for you

Sollevita comes fully equipped for home care. Our job is to understand whether it can meet your needs and to guide you clearly before, during and after delivery.

Tell us about yourself

Tell us about your needs, or those of the person who will use Sollevita. Height, weight, hours spent in the chair, level of independence and daily needs help us understand how the product will be used every day.

Let's assess together whether Sollevita is right for you

The Sollevita Team listens to your needs, explains every function and assesses sizes, weight capacity and how the chair will be used. We explain precisely whether and how Sollevita can meet the needs of the person and their daily life.

Delivery and support

We arrange delivery and a complete explanation of the product, so that you get to know all of Sollevita’s functions and use them correctly. After purchase, the Sollevita Team remains your direct point of contact for warranty, spare parts, tutorials, video calls and technical support over time.

Next step

The right choice starts with a conversation

For such an important choice, talk to the people who make it. Write to us: you will get a reply directly from the Sollevita Team, not a call centre. Our consultants know the chair inside out, from its mechanisms to its adjustments, and they listen to you to offer clear explanations, technical expertise and personalised advice.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Answers on the second seat and on transfers

Wheelchair, chair and bed can each carry out different tasks. These answers connect heights, side access and adjustments with the arrangements already planned for the person.

Does Sollevita replace the wheelchair or can it sit alongside it through the day?

Yes, Sollevita sits alongside the wheelchair as a second place for comfort, rest and care. The wheelchair keeps the mobility and the personalised supports it is used for. The discussion concerns the activity you want in the chair, the transfers and the supports, preserving the independent options of the person.

Why does adjustable height matter in transfers from the wheelchair?

Vertical height adjustment changes the height of Sollevita without guiding the person into standing. The comparison includes the cushion, the configuration used and the heights actually reachable. Reducing the height difference prepares a condition for the transfer, but it does not replace technique, supports and assistance.

Does the removable side panel make any transfer board compatible?

No. A free side and adjustable height can make preparation easier, but contact points, distances and conditions of use need to be checked. Compatibility concerns that board, that chair and the actual procedure. Who removes and refits the side panel counts too.

Why check the move to and from the bed separately?

Because the side available, the height difference, the help and the condition of the person can all change. The lie-flat transfer configuration prepares the approach; it does not decide how to support the body. The equipment planned keeps its role. The lie-flat position is not compulsory for every transfer.

How is the seat assessed when skin sensation is reduced?

Surface, supports, aids and changes of position are all considered, without relying on perceived comfort alone. A three-layer seat construction and tilt-in-space are not the same as pressure relief. A specialist cushion should be checked on the new base; pressure management remains individual.

How should head support and handset be chosen when more support is needed?

Push Head adjusts the support for head and neck; any specialist support keeps its own role. Sollevita handsets have intuitive buttons and are available corded or wireless. The Sollevita Team helps in choosing the control and organising its use, with the carer where necessary. Integration with specialist systems requires a dedicated check.

How should tubing and devices be handled during adjustments and moves indoors?

Their position follows clinical guidance and must be compatible with the movements, without traction, pinching or blocked access. The Sollevita Team clarifies the dimensions; it does not change how the devices are managed. The wheeled base requires an accompanying person; the battery powers the adjustments, not other equipment.

Can I consider Sollevita even if I do not use the rise function?

Yes. The need may concern height, side access, supports or rest without moving into standing. There is no need to use every function. Where the transfer happens with a board or a patient hoist, that approach is what gets checked, without requiring a trial in standing.