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Bariatric Wheelchairs by MSEC

Bariatric Wheelchairs

According to the latest data from the National Center for Health Statistics, 30 percent of American adults 20 years of age and older (over 60 million people) are obese. This has placed a growing demand on medical equipment manufacturers to develop bariatric wheelchairs and other bariatric equipment specifically designed to meet the needs of obese patients. At Medical Supplies and Equipment Company, we carry a wide variety of manual bariatric wheelchairs and bariatric power wheelchairs to meet this demand.

Bariatric wheelchairs are designed to help the bariatric patient resume an independent lifestyle while on the road to rehabilitation. The special needs of a bariatric patient necessitate special design considerations in bariatric wheelchairs. Bariatric wheelchairs need to accommodate more than just the weight requirements of the bariatric patient, but width, length and depth requirements as well. The bariatric wheelchairs in our inventory have taken these design variables into consideration and we now have a line of bariatric wheelchairs to meet the needs of every bariatric patient. Every bariatric wheelchair we carry features a heavy duty frame made with superior welding technology, reinforced padded upholstery for extra comfort, and heavy duty wheels with airless pneumatic tires, among other special features.

With the many options available with bariatric wheelchairs, it is very important to choose the right one. Below is a list that you or your healthcare provider should consider before choosing a specific bariatric wheelchair model.

Body Weight
The model or design chosen needs to be able to support your maximum weight potential. Therefore, when choosing one model over another, opt for the larger size.

Seat Width
The width of your wheelchair should provide 1 to 2 inches of free space on both sides of your body. This will accommodate winter clothing, shifting during patient moves, pressure relief procedures, and other like activities.

Seat Height
To figure out the seat height you'll need, place your feet flat on the floor, ensure your shins are perpendicular to the floor, and measure from the back of the heel to the underside of the knee.

Seat Depth
You should have approximately 1 to 2 inches of space between the back of your knees and the front of the wheelchair seat. As well, the surface area of the seat must support your entire gluteal area. For extra support, you may consider purchasing a bariatric wheelchair cushion.

Backrest Height
The proper backrest height is necessary for providing pressure relief and shoulder mobility while lowering potential back pain. The backrest should reach your mid shoulder blade while supporting the apex of your back.

Armrest Height
To determine the necessary armrest height, measure the distance from your seat to your forearm while it's at a right angle. Proper armrest height will help decrease neck and thoracic pain.

Tires
Solid, airless tires will provide increased durability, mobility, and a smoother ride.

If you have respiratory problems, or another medical condition preventing you from sitting upright, you should consider buying a reclining bariatric wheelchair.

If you have cardiac problems or are unable to propel a wheelchair under your own strength, it would be best to consider your options in bariatric power wheelchairs.

It is our goal to be your exclusive provider for all of your bariatric equipment needs. No matter if you have a need for bariatric beds, bariatric walkers, bariatric commodes, bariatric wheelchair scales, or bariatric rollators, we have attempted to meet all the equipment needs of the bariatric patient.

After browsing our on line inventory of bariatric wheelchairs and wheelchair accessories, please don't hesitate to call our customer service department toll free at 1-877-706-4480 for any questions or further assistance.

www.medical-supplies-equipment-company.com

Article Source: http://www.earticlesonline.com/Article/Bariatric-Wheelchairs/27286

Since most car seats are 19.5" wide and plane seats are 17" wide, how do you travel with a car seat?

I am looking for a car seat and am interested in the Britax series, but am concerned about whether I will be able to fit the car seat in a standard economy plane seat. It looks like the economy seat widths are narrower than a car seat. I checked on a site for all car seat dimensions and over 90% are wider than economy seats. How do you handle this when traveling with an infant and purchasing a seat for the infant?
I am planning on buying a convertible car seat that can be used from 5lbs. to 65lbs. I am not sure whether that changes your response, as you seem to be referencing infant only seats..... Even with the DOT approval, are the difference in widths an issue?

Airlines will let you hold your infant (child under age 2) on your lap and not charge you an extra fee, but that really is not safe for either of you, nor other passengers if your child goes flying through the cabin like a missile and hits them during turbulence, emergency landings or sudden stops.

The short answer is that the carseat should fit if you buy an FAA approved seat. It should have a sticker attached that says: "This seat is approved for use in motor vehicles and aircraft", and it should fit the narrower airline seats in economy. You need a specifically approved carseat for aircraft.

Here are the guidelines:

1) A child who fits within the limits of a rear-facing seat (either an infant seat or, or if too big for an infant seat, a convertible seat) should use a rear-facing seat tightly installed using the airplane's belt.

2) A child who is at least a year AND 20 lbs (must be both) can use a forward-facing seat (either a convertible seat or a high-back booster WITH the internal harness) tightly installed using the airplane's belt. However, many children can remain rear-facing for up to 30-35 lbs, based on the seat's rear-facing weight. Engineers and safety experts state that rear-facing would be safer for everyone on the plane, so as long as the child fits in a rear-facing seat, use it that way.

3) A child who is over 40 lbs can use a higher weight harnessed seat (such as the Britax Marathon or Safety Baby Airway) or can use the airplane's lap belt tightened snugly over the hips.

Some car seats will not fit in the "bulkhead row". Child restraints CANNOT be used in exit rows.
All seats must be approved for use on an airplane. The label will say something to the effect of "This seat is approved for use in motor vehicles and aircraft". In general, most infant seats, convertible seats and combination seats (high-back booster seats WITH an internal harness) are approved.

Call the airline you are using and ask if they have any guidelines for you to go by. Many have general measurements, but these should be followed as a guide.

Tags: airlines, back, elegance, seat width, seat width boeing 737, seat width by airline, seat width on delta airlines, seat width on southwest airlines, travel, wheelchairs

This entry was posted on Monday, March 1st, 2010 at 7:21 pm and is filed under Medical, Mobility and Special Needs. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.