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Services of the P&O business
In Germany there are around 6.5 million severely handicapped people (with a handicap of at least 50%). 2 million of them have an affected locomotive system. More than 80% of the injuries are caused by accidents, and in 300,000 cases the lesions are of congenital ethiology. Other disabilities are caused as a result of war and military or alternative military service.
Modern prosthetics and orthotics takes care of providing rehabilitation devices for diseases and injuries of the locomotive system. The emphasis of the service is placed in prevention and rehabilitation. This branch offers services which go from prosthetic and orthotic devices (braces) up to soft orthopaedic supports and insoles. Other important services include the fitting of compression stockings in cases of venous disorders, breast prostheses, stoma care and incontinence supplies. The area of rehabilitation aids includes not only wheel chairs but also custom seating shells for disabled, beds for hospitals lifting aids, oxygen devices and bathroom aids among many other small assistive devices. A few of the businesses also sell medical supplies like tensiometers, etc. Additionally, many have a small section of related goods for sales like underwear, bathing suits or fashion items for fitness and health activities.
Results of a survey show that the amount of businesses has significantly grown. In average, every main business has a subsidiary store. The prosthetics and orthotics branch has presently 2,800 businesses. A closely located store is always accessible to people with motoric impairments or the elderly. However, the material and personnel costs are extremely high. The required qualification of the sales and technical employees for the counselling of people coping with difficult life situations and the acquisition of modern therapeutic / diagnostic equipment and therapy aids will only be possible in the long run under a favourable economic situation.
