What is Specialist Seating?
Specialist Seating is designed for people who need to be seated for long periods of time. This category of seating offers comfort and support for those in need of stability and safety.
Impact of Poor Posture
When sitting with poor posture, an imbalance of weight distribution can lead to the development of pressure ulcers and other severe physical complications.
This means that individuals who do not have the capability to change position or hold good posture require specialist seating to reduce the likelihood of these complications developing.
Discomfort in seating can lead to impaired function, reduced quality of life and development of inappropriate postures to relieve pain.
Seating Needs
Seating needs are based on an individuals level of need to identify the correct chair that will provide adequate comfort, pressure relief, posture control and independence.
Mild Needs
Mild needs would include individuals who are sitting for the majority of the day. Such individuals would probably need assistance to stand and change positions.
- Frailty/General Weakness
- Dementia
- Osteoporosis
- Parkinson’s Disease
The Chair – Mild Needs
An individual with Mild Needs would require a chair that is simple yet supportive and promotes independence. As the majority of the day would be spent seated the chair should be equipped with pressure management to reduce the risk of pressure ulcers.
Moderate Needs
Moderate Needs would include individuals where additional support is required to maintain good posture. Support is needed to manage the user’s pressure care needs that include postural support, pressure redistribution and stability.
- Dementia
- Motor Neuron Disease
- Stroke
- Scoliosis
- Huntington’s Disease
- Multiple Sclerosis
The Chair – Moderate Needs
An individual with Moderate Needs would require a chair that adapts to allow them to complete activities and interact with their environment. It should include a pressure management system to reduce the risk of pressure ulcers as a result of prolonged or abnormal positioning.
Complex Needs
Complex Needs would include individuals who’s posture is at risk of deterioration. Those with Complex Needs require total support to improve health and well-being as well as safety and pressure care management.
- Cerebral Palsy
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Stroke
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Scoliosis
The Chair – Complex Needs
An individual with Complex Needs would require a chair that is flexible enough to be adjusted to correct and accommodate complex postures. The chair would include pressure management systems to reduce the risk of pressure ulcers as a result of complex postures.
A chair designed for those with Complex Needs would improve their quality of life and encourage engagement in day to day life.
Quality of Life
Due to the levels of support, comfort and integrated pressure care systems, correctly prescribed Specialist Seating can provide greater comfort for individuals who spend prolonged periods seated where other seating cannot meet their needs.
Specialist Seating can play a part in enabling an individual’s independence which can have many positive benefits such as increasing social interactions, maintaining general health and creating a positive self-image