Guide to Armchair Bariatric Chairs
You may have heard about bariatric chairs, but what are they exactly? Bariatric chairs, in a nutshell, are types of oversized seats designed and constructed to support distributed weight of more than 300 pounds.
However, this explanation for bariatric chairs does not stop there. Bariatric chairs are not only important medical pieces of furniture; they also provide a load of benefits as office chair furniture.
While the trend of using bariatric chairs in offices is on the rise, clinical and medical settings have always been the forefront users. However, the trend has evolved again with specialist seating for people with complex medical needs.
The design of armchair bariatric chairs is the latest innovation that answers the needs of people with complex medical needs. The features that armchair bariatric chairs offer include:
- Even weight seating distribution
- Adequate seat width for easy and comfortable use of the armrests
- Firm armrests and high seats
Decreased independence and mobility are often the results of poor seating. The armchair bariatric chairs are specially designed and created to provide solutions to people that need extra help in sitting down and rising up.
Top Features of Armchair Bariatric Chairs
Bariatric chairs for hospitals provide features to fit the complex needs of a patient. It means that selecting the right type of specialist seating is crucial. Depending on the patient’s need, the features to opt for when selecting an armchair bariatric chair include:
Provide options to help with getting down or up
It is easier for many people to get out or into a bariatric chair with firm armrests and a high seat. Bariatric chairs typically feature leg raisers that allow the user to increase the height up to 5”.
The risk of entrapment should always be considered with chair raisers. Armchair bariatric chairs integrated with power lifters come in two types:
- The whole chair tilts or lifts
- Armrests, frame, and back remain immobile as the seat tilts and rises
The usual feature is the one wherein the whole chair tilts or lifts. However, for people with special needs, the support provided by the rock-steady frame, armrest, and back makes the transfer to a wheelchair safer and efficient.
Another thing to consider is the special features of some chairs such as the drop-down or swing-away armrests. Transferring the patient to a bed or wheelchair becomes a fast and safe process.
Leg support and reclining feature
A patient that spends a lot of time seated will find the perfect solution with the armchair bariatric chairs with reclining and leg support. The reclining feature allows for easier changes of position throughout the day.
This type of chair is especially helpful to patients with medical conditions such as chronic back pain, muscle weakness, stiff joints, and circulation problems.
Neck and back support
A standard chair may work fine with a lot of people. However, people with chronic back and neck problems need chairs offering extra support for the back and neck.
Lumbar rolls integrated into the chair provide much-needed support for back pain. Neck support offers the best assistance for people suffering from weak and painful neck or finds it hard to hold up their head.
The back rolls can be filled by air, contoured foam, fibre, or memory foam. Neck support, on the other hand, is either filled with foam, or soft fibre or inflatable.