Ideas for Choosing the Right Adjustable Chair for People with Disabilities
When spending many hours in a sitting position it is vital that you have a chair that offers the ultimate support and comfort. Especially when you are living with a disability and have restricted movement. But you can’t buy just any chair and risk facing even more problems and getting more frustrated. For that reason, in order to make the right buying decision, you should consider a few important factors such as your ability to move around, stand up, sit down and walk on your own.
Also, consider your balance, posture, height, size, and any existing pain you may have as these are all important factors that will influence your choice of chair. Furthermore, bear in mind all the activities you will do like watching TV, writing, eating, socializing, etc. while being in that chair. Different activities require different space needs for movement, thus a different model of chair, level of comfort and degree of support. There are plenty of models of chairs for people with disabilities on the market and here are the most important features to look for when buying.
Height, width and depth. The height of the chair is vital because it determines how easy it will be for you to sit down and stand up from it. Make sure the seat is not too high as it will make you feel uncomfortable. And if it is too low you may find it difficult to get out of the chair. If you are not sure what is the right height for you go for a height adjustable chair – this way you can not go wrong. Buying a height adjustable chair model will help you feel more comfortable and be more confident in the activities you are performing.
When it comes to width, the chair should provide you with enough room so you can sit comfortably. As a rule of thumb, the seat should be the width of your hips plus about 5cm of each side. Moreover, it needs to be deep enough to support the full length of your thighs. If the seat is too shallow, your thighs will not receive the needed support so you might start feeling uncomfortable after a while.
Backrest. Your head and back should be well supported. The shape of the backrest is usually what determines the level of comfort – so pay attention to it. Make sure it is gently curved so that it follows the natural curves of your spine. If you have rounded shoulders and back, you may need to buy a special cushion to get the right support. If you have a marked curvature of your spine, then an angled, canvas or softer backrest may be a better choice for you.
Armrest. This part of the chair should not only provide you with the right support, but it should also help you stand up. For extra comfort choose armrests that are padded and wide enough. When it comes to standing up from the chair, armrests with rounded ends are much better when compared to those that are scrolled or padded as they might be a bit difficult to grip. The armrests should be the same length as the seat.
