Specialist seating matters

Hi everyone, I've recently joined Recare to provide even more expertise regarding specialist seating for wheelchairs and wheelbases. This is my first blog post, offering a basic introduction to the different types of seating available from Recare. These types range from simple pressure management cushions to advanced sculpted seats for complex disabilities. If, after reading this, you have any questions about seating for healthy posture, please do not hesitate to contact us by calling 01993 880200 or clicking here.

So, let's dive in... Specialist wheelchair seating is a core part of our expertise.

1. In simple terms, what are the different types of specialist wheelchair seating available?

There are three general types of specialist seating to help support you if you need to sit for extended periods in a wheelchair. These range from specialist cushions and 'off the shelf' equipment. They also include adjustable modular supports and bespoke carved designs. Deciding on which is most suitable for you depends on your needs. Our recommendations are provided either at the Recare seating clinic or at your home. Typically, specialist wheelchair seating solutions are tailored to individual requirements.

2. How do Recare find the right seating for your needs?

Our team provides an initial consultation by phone, followed by a free face-to-face assessment. We'll discuss all the options. These may include building a custom seat for a wheelchair or adding postural supports. We have pressure-mapping facilities at our clinic that provide a blueprint for the shape of the cushion or seat you need. It highlights areas where pressure needs to be relieved to achieve sustained comfort and reduce the risk of sores. If you require our top-specification SHAPE carved foam seating, we partner with the manufacturer Ottobock to offer a world-class choice. Furthermore, our specialist wheelchair seating can be adapted based on assessment results.

3. What’s the process of ordering seating?

Once we have listened to you and provided our recommendations, your product will be ordered and configured promptly. The time depends on its complexity and the number of parts. If it is seating for a powerchair, such as the NXT backrest range, or an Ottobock SHAPE foam-carved seat, a 'mid-fit' appointment will be provided. This appointment checks and confirms that the initial product specification is still correct. This tends to be a few weeks after your first consultation. Once all final adjustments have been made, such as belt lengths and lateral supports, you will receive your final solution during a handover with one of our Rehabilitation Consultants. As part of our process, specialist wheelchair seating is reviewed for proper fit and comfort.

4. Why is a healthy posture important when seated in wheelchairs?

Healthy posture is important for all daily activities. If your body is not well-positioned, daily living can be much harder, as you tend to feel unbalanced and uncomfortable. If you are hunched in a wheelchair, for instance, then basic bodily processes such as breathing and digestion can be compromised. Eye-level engagement can also be difficult. This leads to awkward interactions with able-bodied people, whether in social situations or at work. Basic tasks such as reaching, lifting and accessing a table can all be more challenging. Only with a stable base can you achieve the correct hip and spinal alignment. For more complex hip alignments, highly adaptable cushions such as the Geo-Matrix Split cushion can help meet complex cushion needs. If you are unsure if you are in the correct equipment, explore our manual wheelchair and powered wheelchair guides to learn more.

With this posture achieved, we find clients are more positive and have confidence to get out and about regularly. To enhance overall well-being, choosing the right specialist wheelchair seating for you is often essential.

5. What if my seating needs change?

It is common for our clients' seating needs to change, especially as their child grows. Our team aims to specify seating that can be easily adapted and to offer regular reassessments. This ensures configurations are tweaked accordingly. Everyone is different. Therefore, we provide a unique approach to all our clients so that products have longevity – ensuring cost-effective solutions for sustainable comfort and healthy posture. Importantly, specialist wheelchair seating can be modified as your requirements evolve.

I do hope you've enjoyed reading my first blog! If you would like to book an assessment for your seating needs, please contact our friendly advisors on 01993 880200 or email: info@recare.co.uk 

See you soon,
Ashleigh