Case studies
Chairs with removable or drop down armrests for heavy duty use
Chairs in this section are of varying style and may be built with wood or metal frames. Their weight capacity is above 190kg. Their specific feature is that either one or both armrests drop down which may assist, for example, a person making a sideways transfer into a wheelchair or alternative seating. Most of these chairs have integral pressure cushions.
Some of these chairs have two or four wheels for transporting them whilst unoccupied.
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Help and advice
Some people may be able to independently transfer sideways by using their arms from a wheelchair to a chair. The arm of the chair is dropped down to allow access. It is necessary to have the wheelchair and chair close together and at the same height, otherwise at best a transfer will require a lot of effort and at worst could be very risky.1
If you have strong arms and upper body, with good balance, you may be able to transfer without help or equipment.2 You must make sure that neither the chair nor the wheelchair will move while you are lifting yourself across. So brakes must be applied on the wheelchair and if the chair has castors these must be immobilised. Ask for an assessment by a Physiotherapist if you are uncertain of the techniques.
For more information, (particularly if you require additional equipment or assistance) read transferring between a chair and a wheelchair.
It is important to know your weight before you purchase one of these type of chairs. If not, particularly if you haven't weighed yourself for a while, you may not be aware of your current weight which means there could be safety implications - especially if you are using a chair near its maximum weight capacity.3
The fit and comfort of a chair is a personal thing. As a heavier person or person with high body fat, your weight distribution will vary. You may either carry the additional body weight around your middle or on the hip and thigh area.3,4,5 This will primarily determine the furniture requirements you have, for example, you may require a deeper chair rather than a wider one. Measuring needs to be carried out by an Occupational therapist or Physiotherapist or an experienced supplier to ensure a good fit.
You may be eligible for an assessment and equipment from your local authority. If you are eligible the equipment will be provided on a long-term loan basis. Alternatively, you may be eligible for a direct payment from your local authority to purchase something suitable. View more information on equipment provision through local authorities and direct payments.
For further information you may wish to read our:
- Choosing equipment for the heavier person factsheet
