Introduction
When prescribing a riser recliner chair or a specialist seating system, the aim is to achieve a well-supported upright position, so the user can sit in a chair comfortably and function. This can be greatly affected by the size of a chair. Just by having the correct seat height, depth and width, we can often accommodate a user’s posture and enable them to maintain a good position in the chair. Due to various medical conditions it may not be possible for the user to maintain an upright position and there may be several postural limitations which require additional support. Without adequate support, the user’s ability is limited to maintain an optimum postural position. This impacts on function, respiration, digestion and pressure distribution, and can lead to further postural deformities.
When assessing a user who presents with poor posture, we need to understand the cause of the user’s position in their chair. Is their poor posture as a result of:
- Unaccommodated and unsupported postural deformities
- Poor transfer method
- Pain and discomfort
- Incorrect size chair
- Personal choice
- Other
A full assessment is required:
- Baseline assessment of current seating and issues with this
- Functional needs of the user (what do they need to do when sitting in the chair)
- Transfer methods
- Physical assessment (position of body segments and range of movement) and postural limitations – what is fixed and what is correctable (i.e. what needs to be accommodated and what needs to be supported)
- Sensory and pressure requirements
- Cognitive impairment