Health chairs and bariatric chairs

The term health chair does not have a specific medical or orthopedic meaning, however it is often used as a general term that refers to chairs that are designed with posture and comfort rather than looks and fashion in mind. In other words these are chairs where function takes priority over appearance.

For the larger person a healthy chair can have a number of important features, one of which is adequate seat width and seat depth, and another of which is suitable support for the back. Whilst these characteristics are important for anyone, they take on a greater significance for someone with a large body mass where good support and even pressure bearing for the body is paramount.

Bariatric chair

A number of companies now make bariatric chairs where the features referred to above are given complete priority in the chair’s design and construction. The result is a chair built around a strong heavy duty metal frame with an extra wide seat that can be up to 36 inches (3 feet) in width. These chairs have a well padded seat and backrest and many come with height adjustable legs so that the optimum seat level can be set for any individual. (Some of the less heavy duty bariatric chairs may have timber frames.)

Chairs of this type are intended for prolonged periods of sitting down by very large people and some are capable of carrying a weight of over 1000 pounds (over 70 stone). These chairs also come with strong armrests that are padded for comfort, but are also sufficiently strong to make them ideal supports for lifting and lowering oneself into and out of the chair. The extra wide (and sometimes extra deep) chair seat means that the frame that supports it spans a larger area than normal and this in turn makes it more stable. This is important when standing up or sitting down.

The materials that these chairs are made from consist primarily of a metal (or wooden) frame, however the upholstery is normally of a vinyl material that is easily washable and available in many different colours. These fabrics are antibacterial and hypoallergenic and this makes them easy to maintain. Some chairs may have wooden accents to give them a more homely (less medical facility) appearance.

Certain models of bariatric chair have detachable wheels or casters that can be fitted as and when required for ease of movement. They are normally only suitable for use on hard floor surfaces (i.e. not carpets) when they are occupied.

Other important options can include the choice of seat and backrest filling materials. These can include visco elastic memory foam, also referred to as “pressure relieving foam”. This material helps to distribute the weight of the person sitting on the chair in a more balanced and even way which in turn helps to manage pressure and enhance comfort.

Example of a bariatrics chair specification

A typical large bariatric chair will have an adjustable seat height of between about 16 inches and 22 inches, a seat width of 36 inches (overall chair width of up to 44 inches), a seat depth of 22 inches, a backrest height of 28 inches and a total weight of around 100 pounds.

The high weight of the chair is a result of the strong frame and larger than normal size, all of which increase the dead weight of this type of chair.

Typical bariatric chair options

The options or selectable extras on one of these chairs can include – the seat width (and sometimes seat depth), the fabric and cushioning filler, the inclusion of wheels or casters, a high or low backrest, adjustable height legs, the addition of aesthetic features like timber armrests or fillets, adjustable height armrests and more stylish and fashion conscious designs for some of the lower load bearing category chair designs.

Cost

The cost of a bariatric chair can vary considerably based upon features like the total maximum weight that it will need to carry and the adjustability or otherwise of certain attributes. A basic bariatric chair can cost £200 to £300 (US $300 to US $400), however large heavy duty bariatrics chair can considerably exceed £1000 or US $1000. The more expensive chairs tend to be built around metal frames.

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