What should I look for when purchasing a specialist chair? A complete guide.
We realise it can be very difficult to know what to look for when you are thinking about purchasing a specialist care chair for someone. That is why we have put together this guide for you.
In the article below I will cover some of the important points to look out for and answer the two big questions; how much does it cost and how long does it take?
Let's begin with the “Big 6” considerations to be considered in Care Chairs:
- Pressure ulcer care and prevention.
- Postural maintenance and improvement.
- Well-deserved provision of comfort.
- Improved function and life-quality of users.
- Welcome relief too for your care staff!
- Non-overloaded and fair prices with ultra-short delivery times.
So, let’s elaborate a little:
1. Pressure Ulcer Reduction & Prevention:
The awful pain and discomfort caused by pressure ulcers to the frail and elderly, cannot adequately be described! The Astro range of Care Chairs (with built-in pressure relief cushions prescribed according to the vulnerability of each user), provide peace of mind to care providers and loved ones, that the best is being done to help keep these very unwelcome “visitors” at bay.
2. Posture:
Whilst it is unlikely that existing postural conditions of users can be corrected, the use of Astro Care Chairs (coupled with the experience of our highly trained product advisors), can certainly provide improved support and compensate for these discomforts, along with slowing-down the rate at which these conditions progress. We have a full range of postural support cushions which we often use in conjunction with the Astro Care Chairs.
3. Comfort and Aesthetics:
Why shouldn’t those who are needing protection from the above 2 ever-present “gremlins” (which are always the primary considerations), also enjoy the unparalleled comfort of the Astro Care Chair range? Why should the prospect of sitting out in a chair/wheelchair, be dreaded and “avoided like the plague”? Isn’t it only reasonable that a “sit-out” should be looked forward to as another opportunity to “chill-out” in comfort….and style? (Please note, we provide chairs –not operating tables!)
4. Improved Function and Quality-of-Life:
One of the greatest rewards for the provision of correct seating for those in your care, is how it noticeably improves their mood and general function. By this we mean: Improved swallowing ability, improved breathing, improved social inclusion and interaction, improved general co-operation – in fact improved everything!
5. Care Staff Relief:
OK, so pressure relief is not only the prevention of pressure sores in your residents. We all know the pressures you and your care staff are under, being short-staffed and pulled in 10 directions at once, attending to this, that and the other! How much positive feedback we have had from carers who can simply place their residents into our Portable Chairs in the morning (whenever the morning starts for some), wheel them around the home to lounge, dining room, activity areas and back to bedroom for afternoon naps. The improved mood and co-operation of residents benefitting from Astro Care Chairs, makes life so much easier for overloaded carers.
6. Ultra-short delivery times at fair and realistic prices:
Last (but by no means least), are the inevitable 2 questions:
How much are they?
We are confident to state that we provide unrivalled value-for-money, with guide prices starting at only £1649.00 for therapeutic riser recliners, to £1869.00 for the next level “hoist-in” chairs. On rare occasions, we might need to prescribe a higher end chair for more complex conditions, and these are quoted for on a case by case basis.
When can we get them?
Wait for it……!
In almost all cases (once a thorough assessment has been carried out), we are able to supply the Astro Care Chair there and then! Most funders fall in love with our standard fabric colour range, but if bespoke colours are preferred, this takes a little longer. We obtain agreement from whoever might be funding the chair, leave the chair with the resident for use right away, send an emailed invoice with our bank details to the funder/s and politely request payment by bank transfer.
Our “second-to-none” after sales service, then kicks into place and this we will explain in detail on our assessment visit!
Contact us today by clicking the link below to arrange your free seating assessment. We look forward to hearing from you!
CONTACT US NOW!
