ParaHelp project

ParaHelp’s goal is to provide the best possible long-term care to people living with spinal cord injuries. Expert ParaHelp medical personnel counsel paraplegics, the relatives of paraplegics and other care professionals (such as Spitex workers) in the prevention of paralysis-related complications and injuries.

Local organisations are responsible for the everyday nursing care of patients. ParaHelp provides these organisations with all the instruments and know-how that are required for such care. Counselling and training take place at the patients’ homes, on the ParaHelp premises or in a care-based institution (e.g. nursing or old-age home).

ParaHelp-Beartungen-zuhause — *ParaHelp specialises in the counselling and assistance of people with spinal cord injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or spina bifida.*

Project details

ParaHelp funding requirements
Annual deficits
ParaWork services are not covered by insurance.

Every year, ParaHelp accumulates a deficit of CHF 1,500,000.

This deficit is offset entirely by the Swiss Paraplegic Foundation.
ParaHelp’s impact and results
Higher-quality recovery process and reduction in healthcare costs
Without care that is specially designed for para- and tetraplegics, patients are more likely (particularly in old age) to suffer injuries and complications, and thus spend more time moving between their homes, nursing homes and hospital. This can result in exorbitant healthcare costs. ParaHelp therefore helps to reduce overall healthcare costs. Allowing patients to live in their own homes for as long as possible is not just sensible from an economic point of view: patients experience higher-quality recovery in the comfort of their own homes. ParaHelp makes this possible.
ParaHelp areas of expertise
Tailor-made solutions for those living with spinal cord injury
Optimal positioning and transfer techniques to avoid complications such as skin lesions and shoulder pain

Practical guidelines for bladder and bowel management

Tips on how to treat sores

Advice on choosing and buying aids, e.g. a suitable mattress

Information on current care needs, including nursing, assistance and holiday offers

Wheelchair independence exercises for children and adolescents

Case management for patients with ALS

A personal story:
Mastering everyday routines at home.

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Thanks to training by the ParaHelp nursing staff, relatives and Spitex employees are better able to treat recurring skin problems on the buttocks which increase in number due to the many years patients remain in a sitting position.

Every morning, local Spitex workers stop by to help patients get dressed, treat their sores and maintain their personal hygiene. These workers check the patients’ skin, and report any changes to ParaHelp.