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Dining Chairs, Parkinson’s and Caregivers
Caring for a loved one living with Parkinson’s can be a daunting challenge for both family members and caregivers. Mealtimes can be especially challenging as persons living with Parkinson’s are at risk of falling due to the neurological disorder which causes uncontrolled movements including shaking, stiffness and difficulty with balance and coordination.
Caregivers, experience increased levels of stress and anxiety when monitoring a loved one’s actions. Any attempt by their loved one to get seated without their support could result in a fall or injury.
It is not uncommon for a person with Parkinson’s to bump into furniture while attempting to get seated in a chair. This can have disastrous results, as any unintended contact with the chair can cause it to move unexpectedly, often resulting in a fall or injury.
Unfortunately, traditional chairs fail...
Use of an office/task chair is deemed unsafe as this style of chair is designed to roll easily, putting the seated person at risk of falling should the chair move away unexpectantly.
Challenge #2: Being moved safely up-to and away-from the table
Once seated, the physical demands required of the care provider to move a seated person up to the table can be exhausting. Any activity which involves pushing, pulling, shoving and twisting of a seated person also increases the care providers risk of incurring an injury/fall.
The use of a standard dining chair is also deemed unsafe as it is designed not to move, putting the care provider at risk of incurring a personal injury as a result of overexertion.
A standard dining chair is deemed unsafe as it is does not move easily, putting the care provider at risk of incurring a personal injury.
An office chair is deemed unsafe as this style of chair rolls too easily, putting the seated person at risk of falling should the chair move unexpectantly.
A Better Way
(A) Swivel-lock: Chairs that swivel-lock provide full access to the seat of the chair as the seat faces away from the table.
With the seat locked in place, the person being seated is able to rely on the arms of the chair for support.
Once seated, they can release the swivel-lock and swivel themselves towards the table.
(B) Swivel-lock...Roll and Brake: Additionally, chairs that swivel-lock…roll…and brake can be moved further away from the table providing increased clearance should a second caregiver be required to provide assistance or if the person relies on a walker / rollator for stability.
Exiting the table: With the seat of the chair turned to face away from the table, the seated person is also able to rise from the chair and walk directly away from the table.
Choosing the Right Chair Matters...
Caregivers should consider selecting a chair designed both for stability and mobility.
A sturdy chair with arms offers support as the person slowly lowers him/herself into the chair.
A heavier chair provides increased stability and is less likely to move prematurely.
Chairs fitted with lockable inline wheels provide needed mobility, enabling the caregiver to roll the seated person up-to the table with ease and grace.
Chairs that Swivel...Roll...and Brake for safety:
- provide those with Parkinson's a greater degree of dignity and self-worth
- eliminate the need for care partners to push-pull-shove-twist on a chair
- reduce mealtime stress and anxiety for both the seated person and the care partner
- create a more enjoyable mealtime routine for all
Meet Patricia...
My husband has Parkinson’s Disease and has broken 2 chairs trying to get close enough to the table to eat. This mobility chair is the best. So easy to sit him at the table now.
Swivel & Roll - Merriville, IN
Meet Rose...
This chair has been a lifesaver. My husband has
progressive Parkinson's Disease and needs 24-hour
assistance. We could not find a chair that would fit his
needs. An office chair with wheels was not an option
because it flew off whenever he was rising or sitting
down. To turn a regular chair away from the table, it
had to be lifted with him in it.
With the
stiffness caused by his illness, he could not help, thus
the chair was dragged and quite a number of chairs got
broken (along with the floor being damaged.) After days
of online research, I came across your chair. It has
been life-altering. I have recommended this chair to so
many people who are afflicted the same way he is.
