Disability chairs: making the right choice

Category: Specialist Seating

For older people or those living with a disability, comfort and support is vital. From emotional support from carers and family members to physical support such as seating, every little helps to help an individual feel at ease and improve their quality of life.

When standard seating is no longer providing adequate support to your client or loved one, it is time to choose a specialist seating solution – but where to start? Read our guide to discover which disability chairs are on offer and what to consider when choosing the right one.

Disability chairs: three different types

The type of disability chair you require depends on the needs of the individual. From High Backed chairs to Manual and Motorised Riser Recliner chairs and High Dependency seating, there are three distinct types to choose from…

If you: have limited strength, stiffness in joints or restricted mobility

You may require a Manual or Motorised Riser Recliner, which can bring real comfort and assistance. The next step is to decide which kind you need; either one that is operated manually with a lever-operating tilting mechanism and those that are motorised and operated by a handset – for people who need more active assistance. Both types of riser recliner lift, tilt and lower to make it easier for someone to get up and sit down.

Explore our collection of Riser Recliner chairs, including the Infinity, Matrix and Matrix Contemporary.

If you: are seated for long periods of time

A High Backed chair may be suitable for you. These chairs promote a comfortable, upright posture throughout the day, with comfortably padded backs and seats with adjustable heights to provide support for the upper body. To further aid the shoulders, neck, and head, these can also be fitted with wings, as well as high-sided armrests to help a person stay secure and safe.

Discover our collection of High Backed chairs, including the Pembroke, Arundel and Warwick Chairs.

If you: have uncoordinated movements or require transportation

 A High Dependency chair is for you. These are specialist disability chairs with a full-body cushioning system to provide a high level of support and prevent pressure sores. They tend to have comfortable footrests and cushioned wings at the side and are usually mounted on braking castors, to enable comfortable transportation.

Learn more about our collection of High Dependency chairs here, including the HydroTilt, HydroFlex and MultiAdjust.

What to consider when choosing your chair

We recommend that you seek professional advice from a seating specialist before choosing your chair, but in the meantime, here are some initial things to consider:

  • Is the chair needed for short-term or long-term use?
  • Is the chair specifically designed for disabled users?
  • Is it easy to move around the home or care facility?
  • Is it designed to maximise comfort for the user?
  • Can you adjust the different features to match individual requirements?
  • Does it offer lateral or head support?
  • Does it have sufficient surface area to minimise pressure?
  • Is Tilt-in-Space functionality available?
  • Does it have a footrest to minimise pressure on the lower back and legs?
  • How durable is the chair? Will it withstand years of regular use?
  • Is the material or fabric it’s made with easy to wipe clean?
  • How breathable is the fabric – will a user feel damp, hot or uncomfortable?

We can help you make the right choice

Premiere Healthcare are experts in the provision, installation, and ongoing servicing of specialist chairs for elderly and disabled users. Our seating assessors are perfectly placed to give you the guidance you need when choosing a suitable disability chair.

Contact us today for a no-obligation seating assessment with one of our specialists – they can visit you at home for free or, if you prefer, deliver a remote appraisal from our video suite. Taking into account how, where and how long the chair will be used for, as well as any complex needs, health conditions and personal needs, they will match you with a tailored solution – whether that’s a rental solution for short-term use or the finance options for a longer-term investment.

To book an assessment or to find out more, please get in touch with us online or call our friendly team on 0345 521 1819.

For further information about this news story, or any of the products mentioned please do get in touch by calling us on 0345 521 1819 or send us an enquiry.

“I just wanted to say thank you for squeezing a fourth client on the day for a seating assessment at such short notice, I really appreciated it”

Occupational Therapist, St Matthews Healthcare
“On the recommendation of the professionals who care for my mother, we recently contacted Premiere Healthcare regarding buying a more supportive chair”

Customer
“We have had incredibly positive feedback from everyone who attended the service development training, and colleagues finding the learning pods really useful and informative”

Occupational Therapy Team Lead, Wye Valley NHS Trust
“Andrew, I can’t thank you enough for the excellent, person centred and flexible approach you have provided for my client, you have been nothing short of excellent”

Wiltshire OT