Bariatric Chairs

A Guide to Seating Patients

Assessing and supporting bariatric patients involves more than choosing a wider chair or higher weight capacity.

Seating Matters offers a complete range of bariatric solutions, including specialist seating such as the Bariatric Sorrento, Bariatric Orlando and the Sydney GoFlat PLUS, alongside Lopital shower, toilet and transfer equipment. These chairs are available to trial, hire or purchase, in both hospitals, care facilities, and home environments.

The first step is to Book a Free Seating Assessment & Bariatric Chair Trial for your client.

Considerations for Seating Bariatric Patients

Due to the challenges associated with seating bariatric patients, seating assessments may need to be conducted over a few days rather than a few hours. Two people will be required to take accurate measurements.

To thoroughly evaluate posture and potential challenges, we recommend keeping your bariatric chair on trial after the initial assessment.

Specific seating challenges may include:

Fear/Embarrassment: Bariatric patients may worry about falling, sliding, moving from lying to sitting, or equipment not being strong enough. It is essential to build up a rapport and reassure the client before commencing an assessment.
Reduced Range of Motion: The mass of their body parts may limit a patient’s ability to stand and/or transfer into a bariatric chair.
Difficulty Repositioning: This can lead to pressure injuries.
Bulbous Gluteal Region: Excess buttock tissue may prevent proper contact with the seat back, forcing the client into a posterior pelvic tilt. This can cause back pain and sliding out of the chair.
Increased Risk of Pressure Injuries: Pressure ulcers and skin damage represent a preventable yet serious health threat to bariatric patients. These can result from an altered centre of gravity, greater skin weight, slower wound healing, and reduced vascularity and perfusion in adipose tissue.
Potential breathing difficulties: These are particularly prevalent when lying down, making clients more dependent on their chair.

Facts About Obesity in Australia

32% of Australian adults (aged 18 and over) are living with obesity.1

Overweight (including obesity) is the second leading risk factor (after tobacco use) contributing to ill health and death in Australia.2

Clinical studies demonstrate a 75% decrease in pressure injuries after swapping to a Seating Matters chair.3

Features Required in Bariatric Chairs

The below features will not just support pressure management, but drive independence and quality of life for the bariatric patient.

Removable arm rests: Facilitate easy access, transfers, and the application of slings for movement.
Adjustable backrest: Accommodates various body shapes, particularly the bulbous gluteal region.
Back angle recline: Essential for individuals with limited hip flexion, often due to increased abdominal tissue.
Forward tilt: Assists with stand transfers and helps maintain independence.
Negative angle leg rest setting: Accommodates legs and aids in stand transfers.
Powered adjustment: Eases movement and handling, as bariatric patients may have difficulty repositioning.
Vapour permeable/breathable material: Reduces microclimate and moisture on the skin’s surface, essential for bariatric patients who tend to sweat more.

Seating Recommendations: Bariatric Chairs

Seating Matters and Lopital offer a range of bariatric solutions designed to support safer care across seating, transfers, mobility and hygiene. From specialist clinical seating such as the Bariatric Sorrento and Bariatric Orlando through to Lopital shower, toilet and transfer equipment, each solution is designed around the specific needs, body proportions and mobility of bariatric patients.

Together, the range can support safer transfers, improved positioning and pressure care, greater independence and more dignified care throughout the patient journey.

Bariatric Sorrento

The Bariatric Sorrento is a tilt-in-space bariatric chair on wheels, designed to support patients weighing up to 294 kg while reducing the risk of injury to both the patient and caregiver. The Bariatric Sorrento Plus is also available, featuring a 1,000 mm seat width and a higher safe working load of up to 450 kg….

600-1000mm

294-450kg

Sydney GoFlat Plus

The Sydney GoFlat Plus has been purposefully developed to support the safe and efficient transfer of critical care patients from a lying position in bed through to a fully seated and clinically optimised position. This provides healthcare professionals with greater flexibility to introduce early patient mobilisation as part of the patient’s care pathway. Designed specifically…

660mm

200kg

Bariatric Orlando

The Bariatric Orlando chair has been clinically designed to provide pressure management, posture support and comfort in a riser recliner chair. The Bariatric Orlando features full pressure care materials throughout the sitting surface, adjustable posture supports and a stand assist riser function. The Bariatric Orlando has three motors, providing leg elevation and tilt in space…

650-850mm

254-450kg

Elexo XXL Shower Toilet Chair

The Elexo XXL shower toilet chair by Lopital Australia is specifically engineered to meet the demands of clients with higher weight and size requirements, offering a stable, robust solution for hygienic care. With its wide, ergonomically shaped seat and extended, fully foldable armrests, it supports comfort and safe transfers. The swing-out, removable footrests and integrated…

700mm

220kg

Bariatric Chairs: Case Studies & Further Information

Top 6 Mistakes When Seating Bariatric Patients

Seating a bariatric patient is complex and involves far more than choosing a wider chair. This article explores six common mistakes that can compromise comfort, positioning, pressure care and safety. From incorrect measurements to failing to accommodate the gluteal shelf, discover what to look out for and how to avoid common bariatric seating errors.

How do I Safely Get a Bariatric Patient Out of Bed?

How do you safely get a bariatric patient out of bed? From hoisting and transfers to seating, hygiene and pressure care, this article breaks down the key questions to consider and the equipment options that can support each stage. From incorrect measurements to failing to accommodate the gluteal shelf, discover what to look out for and how to avoid common bariatric seating errors.

Case Study: Finding a Bariatric Chair for Alan

In this case study, we meet 41-year-old Alan - a 294kg bariatric patient, who required significant assistance from caregivers, was unable to sit unaided, had frequent respiratory infections, and did not have a chair to accommodate his weight or needs.

We explore the functional and postural changes that resulted from Alan's trial of a Bariatric Sorrento chair, and hear directly from both Alan and his carers.

Case Study: A Bariatric Chair for Stroke Recovery

This is the story of Len, a bariatric gentleman of 181kg, who was admitted to hospital after suffering a stroke. Because of Len's condition, he was spending most of his time in bed and had trouble sitting upright.

The Bariatric Sorrento was a game changer for Len. It enabled him to sit upright for most of the day and adjust his positioning, leading to a dramatic improvement in his condition and state of mind.