The Soloc wheelchair lap belts are a response to a need. Being able to transfer in and out of your wheelchair without assistance is essential for living independently. For some wheelchair users, the thing preventing them from doing this was their lap belt!
What Is It About Lap Belts?
People wear lap belts for different reasons. For some, they offer postural support and help prevent other issues caused by poor posture. For others, they are a safety measure in place to prevent falls caused by involuntary movements.
Not all wheelchair users need or choose to wear a lap belt. For those that do, it is essential that they are issued with a lap belt that they can operate.
The Problem
For some users, a standard-issue lap belt is impossible to use.
Typical lap belt buckles are easy enough to use if you have no issues with dexterity and strength in your hands and fingers, and the use of both sides of your body. However, they are near-impossible to use if you have a disability that affects your hand function, such as a Spinal Cord Injury, Brain Injury or Cerebral Palsy; or one-sided weakness, for example following a Stroke.
Soloc Lap Belts: The Solution
Drawing inspiration from his previous design, the MagLoc dog lead connector, Soloc’s designer, Tony created these belts with reduced hand function in mind. Each Soloc belt features the unique magnetically-aided buckle, which is easy to fasten even with reduced hand function. To release, simply slip a finger through the loop or push against the release tab.
The Soloc range consists of three belts:
The Connect belt is a simple lap belt with the unique Soloc buckle.
It is an adjustable belt and you can add padding to aid with postural positioning.
A first in lap belts – the Uno is designed for those with the use of only one hand or arm. A FlexiFix arm holds one side of the buckle in place. It is then easy to pull the stud across to meet the buckle – aided by the magnets!
Fit for left or right handed use.
The Freedom is designed for those with no hand function, or even no hands to use independently.
The FlexiFix arms sit open to allow for hassle-free transfers, and the belt is easy to fasten by just pushing down on the FlexiFix arms.
Features
- Easy alignment and magnetically aided connection
- Mechanical fixing ensures that the belt will stay closed, even under pressure
- Padded to aid postural positioning
Reducing Care Assistance
National Star College estimated that help with transfers added up to 36 minutes of care assistance per day, per student. Requiring help with transfers also limits individuals to transferring only when their assistance is available.
In trials the Soloc belts improved confidence and mobility for those with limited dexterity and helped them to become more independent as well as improving their safety.
It’s just Freedom! not having to ask people for assistance anymore.
After trials, National Star College estimated that 18 of their current students would newly be able to transfer independently with a Soloc belt, reducing their care needs. They forecast that their return on investment would take roughly 1 month, and subsequent savings could add up to as much as £38,000 per year!
Credentials
Safety first! The Soloc lap belt range is tested to ISO 16840-3 (load testing) and ISO 16840-10 (flammability testing). They are CE and UKCA marked, and registered with the FDA.
We have been supplying to the NHS (National Health Service in the UK) for over a year. Please enquire with your wheelchair services about getting a lap belt that works for you.
How can I get one?
The Soloc lap belts can be retrofitted to most wheelchairs. It does not need to be fitted when the wheelchair is new, and you can usually replace existing lap belts with a Soloc belt. We have three fitting options:
- Each Soloc belt has fixing holes allowing you to mount the belt by bolting it directly to the wheelchair frame. If this is not suitable for your wheelchair, there are two alternative fixings.
- Use the Tubular Frame Clamp to attach the Connect belt to a wheelchair frame without bolting directly into the frame.
- Use the Frame Saver Clamps to attach any of the Soloc belts to a wheelchair frame without bolting directly into the frame.
Soloc belts come with a user manual including fitting instructions. We recommend that your belt is fitted by a qualified wheelchair positioning professional to ensure it is fitted in a way that supports your postural positioning.
If you own your wheelchair you can buy your Soloc belt directly from us. If your wheelchair is owned by your local wheelchair service, please enquire with them about getting a Soloc belt fitted to your chair.
The post Soloc Lap Belts: Facilitating Independent Transfers appeared first on The Active Hands Company.