Help and advice

The height, width, depth, angle of the seat and back on most of these chairs are adjustable and the majority have a tilt-in-space facility, castors and many have detachable arms rest. These are one group of products which can provide a range of seating required as part of 24 hours postural management for people with demanding and severe movements or people with low postural tone who would be unable to safely sit in standard type of seating without sliding or at risk of pressure sores.

As the majority of these multi-adjustable chairs have castors, this provides clearance for the use of mobile hoists. These chairs can have additional head, side and a range of foot and leg supports and are usually customised to an individual. Some will be included in the basic purchase price and others will be options. These chairs are designed to be adjusted if the needs of the individual change or when required for use by different users in rehabilitation or community settings.

When considering a chair particularly of this type an individual assessment with an Occupational therapist or by a Physiotherapist is very important. There may be individual and environmental factors which determine which chair best suits your needs in the short and longer term.The information on this site is not a substitute for individual assessment.

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 via your local authority and the direct payments scheme.

Many of the products listed are CE marked as a 'medical device' which means they should be used only in accordance with the manufacturer's intended purpose. The manufacturer's of these chairs intend them to be used for sitting, they are not sold as sleeping systems. Consequently it is not advisable for these riser recliners to be used for sleeping unless a decision is made as part of a risk assessment by an Occupational therapist or a Physiotherapist. There are chair beds available which are designed for sitting and sleeping. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is the government agency responsible for ensuring CE marked products are fit for purpose and safe.

Some of these chairs may suit people with Huntingdon's Disease. Factsheet 15-Seating,equipment and adaptations from Huntingdons's Disease Association

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