How To Keep Elderly From Sliding Out Of Wheelchair

Falls from chairs is particularly problematic. Falls can have a serious effect on a person's confidence, not to mention the injuries they can cause.

That's why it's so important for OTs and seating specialists that specify chairs that will help to stop anyone from falling or sliding out of them. Here are 5 things to think about when preventing falls from a chair.

Jump straight to…

- Tilt-in-Space
- Footplates
- Raked Seats
- Pommel Seats
- Harnesses and Belts
- In Conclusion
- Extra: How to help someone who has fallen from their chair.

1. Tilt-in-Space

Tilt-in-space is probably the most convenient way to stop someone from falling out of a chair. This function can be included in a lot of different rise and recline and care chairs, which means that it's often available to you with no hassle at all.

Because your client is literally tilted back in their chair, it makes it much more difficult for them to slip forward or fall out of the chair. Similarly, some recline positions can give the same piece of mind and keep the person safe.

2. Harnesses and Belts

Harnesses and belt provide another physical barrier that will stop your client from falling from their chair. These can be used to restrain and hold you in place, making it very difficult to slide or fall out of your seat.

As always, we would only recommend using harnesses if it is entirely necessary to do so.

3. Footplates

Footplates also make it more difficult for someone to fall out of their chair. Particularly when teamed up with tilt-in-space, footplates offer a physical barrier that make it very hard for you to fall or slide out of a chair.

Choosing a flip-down footplate can make all the difference in keeping your client safe from falls. It blocks you from losing your footing or slipping down the chair itself.

The footplate on the Lento care chair helps to keep you from sliding further down the chair.

4. Raked Seat

A raked seat can also help to keep you safe and in-place to stop any falls from occurring. This will cradle your client in a secure position and make it much more difficult for them to slide or climb out of the chair if they are at risk of falls.

A seat with a rake is tilted, just like cinema and theatre seats. This means that the back of the seat is a little lower than the front, and so it is practically impossible to slide forwards and fall out of the chair.

5. Pommel Seat

It's a less conventional method, and it's not what the pommel was invented for, but it certainly helps! It can help stop people from falling out of the chair in the event of unforeseen sliding downwards within the chair, as it will save the person from sliding beyond the seat. However, we must reiterate that a pommel's primary use is for abduction of the lower limbs.

Here you can see the pommel highlighted on a seat cushion.

In Conclusion…

These 5 things can make all the difference if you know someone who is at risk of falls from chairs. Whether it's something as simple as a raked seat or tilt-in-space, or something more specialist like a harness or belt, there are ways and means of keeping you secure from falls.

If you want some extra advice on a certain client, or you'd like to arrange a free joint seating assessment with one of our seating experts, get in touch with our team.

Helping someone who has fallen from their chair

If you're working with a client who is a frequent faller, or is very high risk, you may also want to recommend some equipment to help them get back to their feet if they do fall.

Whilst finding the right chair will greatly reduce the risk of someone falling out, it pays to be prepared in case a fall does happen. Unfortunately, it's impossible to completely eliminate the risk of falling!

A Raizer Emergency Lifting Chair is a great option for use at home, or in a residential care setting. The device can be quickly and easily built around someone who has fallen. It then only requires one person to operate the chair and lift them safely back to their feet.

Interested in the products mentioned above? Book a free, no-obligation assessment or find out more by calling us on 01423 799960 or filling out the form below.