Are you sitting comfortably? Well then let’s begin this deep dive into why therapeutic chairs are good for elderly and disabled users!
Notice that first question – when you spend time sitting for long periods, either through disability or age, comfort is paramount, especially for an elderly person. In fact, finding an ergonomically designed, supportive chair is so important it can prevent further medical complications later on.
That’s why choosing the right therapeutic chair for elderly or disabled users is so hugely important.
What are the benefits of therapeutic Chairs for the Elderly and Disabled?
There are many benefits to investing in a therapeutic chair for elderly or disabled users. From physical wellbeing to emotional wellbeing, the right chair can help to support patients and improve their quality of life. Here’s how:
1. Comfort
It goes without saying that when you spend hours sitting all day in a chair, it needs to be comfortable. Not only is this beneficial to a patient’s physical wellbeing, it is important for their emotional wellbeing. If a patient is comfortable and their body is at ease, they will feel happier, more supported and more positive.
2. Pressure management
One of the issues with sitting for long periods of time is that the body can develop pressure ulcers. This is especially true if a patient isn’t comfortable in their seated position but can’t move their body to a new position to relieve the pressure. Therapeutic chairs for disabled people and elderly clients offer pressure relief in a number of ways including adjustable back and leg tilts and cushions filled with pressure-relieving materials. For example, the Kirton Encora has a choice of pressure-relieving seat modules with integral lateral supports filled with pressure-relieving reflexion foam.
3. Tilt-in-Space
This is a function where the whole of the chair mechanism can tilt through a range of angles without the need to move the patient’s body. This can help redistribute pressure on the body without disturbing the patient. On manual chairs, the Tilt-in-Space function is operated by a carer but on electric models the patient can operate the function themselves or, on some chairs such as the CareFlex HydroFlex, it can be set to a regulated motion that automatically tilts the chair periodically throughout the day. You can find out more about the importance of Tilt-in-Space chairs for elderly care in our blog.
4. Head Support
Therapeutic chairs offer essential postural support for users whose muscles cannot support them alone. Poor head control is key to good health as patients with poor head control often experience breathing and feeding difficulties. Disability chairs offer good head support with structured head pillows and built-in supports for the head, neck and spine. Chairs, such as the Kirton Duo, offer split-wing headrests for even greater support. You can discover the key benefits of the Kirton range of therapeutic chairs in the knowledge section of our website.
5. Lateral support
To maintain a comfortable seated position, a patient needs to be able to maintain a midline posture but this is difficult for patients with weakening muscles or whose bodies are fatigued. Lateral supports, which are found in therapeutic chairs such as the Kirton G2, help improve comfort levels and have a positive impact on breathing, swallowing and digestive systems which can be compromised by poor posture.
6. Foot rest
A foot rest is a key feature in therapeutic chairs as 19% of a person’s body weight goes through the feet. For someone who has reduced mobility it is essential that they can load their feet on a foot rest to help with pressure management through the rest of the body. Therapeutic chairs come with different types of foot rests, many of which can be moved into a negative angle position ensuring comfort for people with tight knee contractures, or can be removed and folded away.
7. Adjustable features
One size chair does not fit all, which is why therapeutic chairs come with adjustable features. For a person to feel at their most comfortable, it is important that the chair fits them well. Many chairs have different types of back support and some therapeutic chairs, such as the Kirton Duo, offer a range of seating width, height and depth options as well as adjustable armrest, backrest and foot plate heights. The CareFlex MultiAdjust is another highly adjustable seating system with the added benefit of being tool-free and cost-effective.
8. Wheels
It’s a simple thing but having a sense of mobility can improve patient wellbeing because they can be included in different activities and settings. Therapeutic chairs come with wheels as standard which makes it easier to move patients through a care home or private home from room to room. It also means patients can enjoy being outdoors and having social interaction with others.
9. Infection control
To help prevent the spread of bacteria, therapeutic chairs for disabled or elderly users come in wipe-proof, antifungal, antibacterial materials. This is especially important when there are incontinence issues, reduced immune systems and open wounds to consider. Therapeutic chairs at Premiere Healthcare are available in a range of breathable, wipeable, infection-control fabrics in a variety of colourways.
10. Carer support
Therapeutic chairs have several features that make it easier for carers to help their patient access the chair. For example, they often have removable side arms so that a hoist can be used to transport a patient to and from bed. This is something that might not be a consideration in the early stages but may be necessary as a patient becomes more immobile.
How to choose a therapeutic chair for the disabled or elderly
With such a wide range of specialist chairs for elderly and disabled users available, it can feel rather daunting to know which chair would be right for your loved one. At Premiere Healthcare, you can book a seating assessment with one of our seating experts who can guide you through the key features that would be of most benefit for your patient.
We also have a range of chairs available to see and try in our Demo Centre in Tewkesbury. And if you’re still not sure about the right chair for your needs, there is the option to hire chairs from us, either short-term or long-term.
