For your client to get the utmost out of their chair, it is important to make sure that you stick to a routine which is reliable and simple. Having a routine in place will help ease the process for both of you and your client, ensuring that you will not miss anything out – it will become more familiar and easier the more you practise. With these easy steps to setting up an adjustable tilt-in-space model, you can begin forming your daily routine checks for setting up your client’s chair. You may wish to print this off and use it as a check list until the steps become second-nature to you.
Seat the client
Firstly, if you are transferring via a hoist, make sure you place the chair at an angle using the tilt-in-space before gently lowering the client in by using your hands on either side of them. This allows their bottom to go right to the back of the seat carefully and with ease.
Adjust seat length
When you have ensured that the client’s bottom is right to the back end of the seat, you will be able to get two fingers width behind the knee and the front of the chair. Once the seat length is adjusted you can tailor everything else to suit the client’s needs.
Change foot plate height
Did you know that 19% of your body weight when seated goes through the soles of your feet? This is why it is vital the feet are supported. You will want to adjust the foot plate height so that thighs are horizontal on the seat module.
Adjust back height
The correct height will vary from chair to chair, but you want to always make sure that the head and shoulders are well supported and comfortable.
Alter back angle
Depending on the client’s preference, it is worth trying out a few positions until they find the perfect balance of comfort and support from the chair.
Position lateral supports
These should be used to help obtain a good midline position. Remember to always use both left and right supports regardless of which way the client is leaning. It is important to note that these can be set at different heights.
Adjust arm height
Achieve the correct positioning by using the shoulders to gage the right place. This will help the client feel relaxed and at ease in the chair.
Fit accessories
Make sure that everyone involved fully understands the purpose of each accessory, and how to fit them correctly. This will avoid any confusion, allowing the carer and client to work in harmony.
Yorkshire Care Equipment has an Assessment Division that provides a no-obligation assessment service for healthcare equipment, completely free of charge. With many years of experience in the healthcare industry, our Assessors are extremely knowledgeable and have attended numerous specialist care courses over the years. One of our Assessors is a fully qualified Physiotherapist.
To ensure we issue the perfect product for the client, our assessor will bring out some items to the client’s residence and take all the measurements and details required, as well as going through all the options. Then we take all the information gathered during the assessment and send you a detailed quotation based on what we have discussed.
When we receive the request for the order to go ahead, we then start the process of making the chair to measure. We ensure that our products are made to the correct and exact specifications of the user. When the equipment has been checked and ready to go, we then organise a delivery time that suits you. Our team will then ensure that the client finds the seat comfortable by setting it up, and thoroughly checking that the posture and pressure relief is all as it should be.
Here at Yorkshire Care Equipment, we like to go the extra mile for all our customers to ensure that they receive the ultimate experience. Our ongoing mission is to ‘enhance quality of life’, so we like to deliver nothing but the best possible service. Every product is designed with the end purpose of having a drastic improvement on our clients’ well-being, as we thrive in ‘Taking Special Care of You’.
To arrange an appointment with our Assessment Division, please visit our Request a Visit page on the Yorkshire Care Equipment website and one of our team to get in touch, or simply give us a call directly on 01423 799960 and press Option 2.
Alernatively, send in your questions by visiting our contact page, to fill out an online form, and our team will get back to you swiftly and promptly. For further information on specialist seating assessments and care chair configurations, download our free seating eBook.
Graeme has worked alongside the public sector for much of his working life, helping departments improve efficiencies and deliver on projects. In his role at Vivid.Care, Graeme used his experience to tackle some of the most challenging issues in the healthcare sector, from falls through to winter pressures. He was also a guest speaker and a number of different conferences, including at the Falls Prevention Summit in London.
