Bariatric Seating Assessment for a Community Care Setting
Finding the Right Bariatric Seating Solution
A community care centre in Cork contacted J&L Healthcare Furniture to find a suitable bariatric chair for a client who required additional support, comfort and stability during daily activities.
The client had specific seating requirements, including the need to use the chair comfortably during mealtimes and for carers to be able to safely move the client in and out of the seating area.
The Challenge
The client required a chair that could accommodate their individual measurements while providing a comfortable and stable seating position.
The care team also needed a practical solution that would make it easier to move the client when required, particularly around mealtimes.
Key considerations included:
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Client's height and overall dimensions
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Seat width and seat height
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Comfort and support
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Ease of moving in and out of the table
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Safe movement by care staff
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Suitable upholstery and colour
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Practicality for everyday use
On-Site Seating Assessment
J&L's seating specialist attended the community centre for an on-site assessment, working alongside an Occupational Therapist (OT), care staff and the client.
Measurements and individual seating requirements were assessed to help determine the most appropriate chair.
Rather than simply selecting a chair based on standard measurements, the team discussed the client's needs and brought several bariatric seating samples to the assessment so the client could experience different options and identify which provided the greatest comfort and support.
Selecting the Right Chair
Following the assessment and trial of the different seating options, the client was most comfortable with the J&L Liffey Bariatric Chair.
The Liffy is a strong and dependable bariatric chair designed for demanding healthcare and care environments. It features an easy-clean healthcare vinyl upholstery and a reinforced frame tested to 245kg / 40 stone, providing a combination of stability, comfort and durability.
With support from the OT, the client was able to select the upholstery fabric and colour that best suited their preferences and the care environment.
A Practical Solution for Mealtimes and Care
One of the key requirements identified during the assessment was the need for the chair to work effectively during mealtimes, while also allowing the care team to move the client when necessary.
Following discussion with the OT and care team, J&L recommended fitting casters to the chair.
This provided a more practical solution for the care environment, allowing the chair to be moved when required while maintaining the client's comfort and seating support.
The Outcome
The client was happy with the Liffey High Back Bariatric Chair and comfortable with the selected seating solution.
The assessment allowed J&L to consider more than just the chair itself. By working directly with the client, OT and care team, the final solution addressed the individual's measurements, comfort preferences and practical requirements.
The result was a personalised bariatric seating solution selected around the client's needs and the everyday requirements of the care environment.
Personalised Healthcare Seating from J&L
J&L Healthcare Furniture, we understand that the right healthcare chair is not always a one-size-fits-all solution.
Our seating assessments allow us to work with clients, Occupational Therapists and care teams to identify the most suitable seating solution based on individual measurements, comfort, support and practical requirements.
From standard healthcare seating to bariatric and bespoke seating solutions, we help care providers find furniture designed around the people who use it.
