Seating and Pressure Care

Orthopaedic Chair

What is it?

An orthopaedic chair is a supportive armchair designed to provide improved comfort, posture, and support when sitting.

These chairs are often higher, firmer, and more structured than standard armchairs, making them easier for some people to sit down and stand up from.

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Who might it help?

An orthopaedic chair may help people who:

• Find low or soft chairs difficult to get out of

• Have reduced leg strength

• Experience joint pain or stiffness

• Need more supportive seating

• Spend longer periods sitting and need improved comfort

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What difficulties does it address?

Getting up from a chair requires leg strength, balance, and coordination. Low, deep, or soft chairs can make this movement more difficult because the person has to push up from a lower position.

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A supportive chair with an appropriate height and firmness can make sitting and standing easier while also improving comfort.

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Things to consider

• Is the chair the correct height for the person?

• Can their feet sit comfortably flat on the floor?

• Are the armrests positioned to allow safe pushing up?

• Does the chair support good posture?

• Does the person need to change position regularly?

• Is the chair suitable for the amount of time the person spends sitting?

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Safety considerations

A chair that looks supportive is not always the right chair for the individual.

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Potential problems include:

• A seat that is too high may make it difficult to sit safely

• A seat that is too deep may cause poor posture or sliding forward

• A chair that is too soft may make standing harder

• Armrests that are poorly positioned may not provide effective support

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For people with reduced mobility, spending long periods sitting in one position may also increase the risk of stiffness, reduced strength, and pressure-related problems.

Riser Recliner

What is it?

A riser recliner chair is an electrically operated chair that can raise the person into a higher position to help them stand, and recline backwards to support comfort and positioning.

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Unlike a standard armchair, the chair uses a motor to assist with changing position.

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Who might it help?

A riser recliner may help people who:

• Find standing up from a chair difficult

• Have reduced leg strength

• Experience pain or stiffness when transferring

• Fatigue easily when sitting for longer periods

• Need support with repositioning for comfort

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What difficulties does it address?

Standing from a chair requires the person to move their weight forward, push through their legs, and maintain balance.

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A riser recliner can reduce the physical effort needed by gradually raising the seat to bring the person into a more standing position.

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The reclining function may also help some people who need to change position for comfort.

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Things to consider

• Can the person understand and safely operate the controls?

• Is the chair the correct size for the person?

• Can they sit back safely into the chair?

• Is there enough space around the chair when it reclines or rises?

• Will the chair encourage regular movement and activity?

• Does the person need a riser recliner, or would a suitable standard chair meet their needs?

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Safety considerations

A riser recliner is not suitable for everyone.

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Potential concerns include:

• A person with cognitive impairment may forget how to use the controls or attempt to stand while the chair is moving

• Raising the chair too high may make the person feel unstable or cause them to slide forward

• Incorrect sizing may affect posture, comfort, and safety

• Long periods spent sitting may contribute to reduced strength and mobility over time

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The chair should not replace movement. Regular changes of position and activity remain important.

Pressure Cushions

What is it?

A pressure cushion is a specialised cushion designed to help spread pressure more evenly when a person is sitting.

Different cushions are designed for different levels of need, from improving comfort to helping manage the risk of pressure injuries.

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Who might it help?

A pressure cushion may help people who:

• Spend long periods sitting

• Have reduced mobility and change position less often

• Have difficulty repositioning themselves

• Are at risk of developing pressure injuries

• Experience discomfort when sitting for longer periods

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What difficulties does it address?

When someone sits for a long time, pressure can build up over areas where bones are close to the skin.

A pressure cushion can help by redistributing pressure and supporting a more comfortable sitting position.

It may be particularly important for someone who is unable to move or adjust their position regularly.

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Things to consider

• Why is the cushion needed? Comfort and pressure care are not always the same thing

• Is the cushion suitable for the person's level of risk?

• Is it the correct size for the chair and the person?

• Does it affect sitting posture or ability to transfer?

• Does the person know how to position themselves correctly on it?

• Does the cushion require maintenance or specific care?

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Safety considerations

Not all cushions provide the same level of pressure protection.

A soft cushion that feels comfortable does not necessarily provide effective pressure management.

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Potential concerns include:

• An unsuitable cushion may worsen posture or make transfers more difficult

• A cushion that is too high may affect foot support and stability

• Some specialist cushions require correct positioning and regular checks

• People who are at risk of pressure injuries may need more than a cushion alone

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A pressure cushion should not replace regular movement, position changes, skin checks, or appropriate care planning where these are needed.