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Obesity has led to a need for bariatric wheelchairs and specialized medical equipment to ensure the safety of both patients and caregivers. Proper fit and consideration of other health concerns are important when choosing a wheelchair. Power wheelchairs may be necessary for immobile patients with respiratory and heart problems.
Many countries have seen an increase in obesity and weight-related disorders in recent years. Challenges for the obese and their caregivers include mobility issues both within and outside healthcare settings. Standard wheelchairs and other medical furniture and equipment are typically not designed to contain a severely obese person. As a result, an obese person undergoing medical procedures or who is unable to walk unaided may need a bariatric wheelchair. Bariatric wheelchairs are larger than traditional wheelchairs and have a higher weight capacity so people who require a mobility device can sit comfortably and safely.
Within a hospital or healthcare setting, it is vital to protect the safety of both obese patients and their caregivers. As standard healthcare equipment is at risk of collapsing under the weight of an obese patient, specialized equipment is required to prevent injury to the patient’s body or dignity as well as to medical staff or assistants. In addition to the need for a bariatric wheelchair, many individuals and medical settings require additional equipment, such as slings for transferring immobile patients from bed to chair and wheelchair lifts designed to accommodate a bariatric wheelchair.
When choosing a bariatric wheelchair, it is important to ensure a proper fit. Weight distribution among obese people can vary greatly. Therefore, the weight capacity of the wheelchair is only one consideration when choosing a wheelchair. A pear-shaped person, for example, carries their weight primarily on the lower half of their body. These people need a bariatric wheelchair with a wide seat that can accommodate the hips. If a wheelchair is too small for the patient, he or she can experience considerable discomfort and possibly even pressure sores, a condition that is not only painful but potentially dangerous.
Other considerations include the need for patients who have other health concerns. Patients who are generally immobile and who have respiratory and heart problems may require a power wheelchair, as patients simply aren’t healthy enough to manually operate the wheelchair. These chairs may also need to be designed with storage for medical equipment, such as oxygen tanks, and may also need a reclining seat that can assist the user with breathing issues. By working with a trusted healthcare professional and a reputable wheelchair supplier, a patient can often find a bariatric wheelchair that meets their mobility and medical needs.
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