For any wheelchair user reaching items at higher levels has always been a challenge. Whether it is trying to get something from a wall mounted kitchen cupboard or for ordering a coffee at a bar, it is one of the more common challenges faced.
Generally mobility on the horizontal plain is taken into account but in our everyday lives vertical mobility is just as important and impairs us all to frequently. Seat risers are now available on a handful of electric wheelchair and powerchair models and we are now selling the Roma Reno Elite seat riser powerchair which gives users elevation to a decent height.
Seat elevation is a very useful tool to have and historically the challenge to wheelchair manufacturers has been stability of the chair and ensuring that when the seat is raised the user remains safe and secure with no chance of the wheelchair becoming unstable.
Safety and seat risers
For this functionality to be safe, it necessitates the entire powerchair seat to raise and lower the person in the wheelchair whilst also maintaining the same angles in relation to the floor. The height range has to be limited to prevent a user leaning to reach and making the wheelchair unstable.
So although seat risers and elevators come at a price the benefit to the user is immeasurable in making relatively simple tasks possible and enhances the user’s independence. It means that they can actively take part in many more situations without requesting help from another and without risking injury.
In some situations, for example shopping in a supermarket where produce is displayed on long shelves at varying levels seat elevation is very useful and the ability to travel in an elevated state is invaluable allowing you to go down an isle and see all items on a shelf at any level and also allowing them to complete other actions above shoulder level with less effort.
Many more daily activities that are not generally possible for a wheelchair user to perform can become a reality with a seat riser giving enhanced independence. Cooking, shopping, chatting with others who are stood up will all become more natural and accessible and quality of life will improve.
See the Roma Reno Elite seat riser powerchair here
Watch the Roma Reno Elite seat elevator here
Other benefits of wheelchair seat risers
Being able to carry out more activities that require you to be raised can also mean that less mobility adaptations need to be carried out in your home. Things such as shelves and cupboards that were not within reach suddenly become accessible and as there is less need to extend the arms and shoulders to access higher items the risk of strains or rotator cuff injuries reduce dramatically.
Transfers on and off the wheelchair or powerchair are also easier with a seat riser. If you want to go from a low wheelchair up to a higher bed then you can adjust the seat elevation to make the transfer level. Some users even raise their seat a couple of inches higher than say the bed so that gravity can do its bit to assist with the transfer from or too the wheelchair making it easier and further reducing the risk of any injury.
Social benefits of seat risers
There are both psychological and physical benefits to be gained when using a wheelchair with a seat riser. When talking with others, maintaining eye contact is key to good social interaction and unless chatting very tall people this is possible. It also means that you can avoid getting that stiff neck feeling after long conversations because you're not having to rock your head back to retain eye contact.
Navigating your way in busy settings also becomes easier with a seat riser or elevator. Having that added height means that you also have improved visibility and is particularly helpful when crossing walkways or roads or in a busy setting such as a crowd at a concert or a bar.
Limitations of an elevating wheelchair seat riser
As previously mentioned, stability of the wheelchair is key when deploying a seat riser. There are limits to how high seats can be raised to ensure good stability is maintained. The Roma Reno Elite powerchair manages a total height extension of 11" or 28cm.
Due to this rise of the centre of gravity the chair will become less stable the higher that it is raised. This is why some powerchairs are designed so that they cannot be moved while the seat is fully raised or some models allow slower speeds the higher the seat is raised. You will need to check out these limitations as they vary depending on the model that you chose. Elevation range also changes from model to model.
Conversely, you also want to consider the lowest seat setting is also suitable. Because of the additional mechanics needed to raise and lower the seat, it often means that their lowest position is higher than that of a normal powerchair, thus the ability to sit at a desk may well be affected.
We hope that we have provided you with an interesting insight in to the benefits of seat risers and seat elevators and hope that you are able to find a powerchair or electric wheelchair that provides the benefits that you require. If you have any specific questions please feel free to call us and ask about powerchair seat risers.