Is there a product to keep someone from leaning over in a wheelchair?

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Is there a product to keep someone from leaning over in a wheelchair?

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My husband has Parkinson disease and dementia. He is not able to walk to far because of his balance and fall risk. At home he uses a transport chair because of his mental capacity we need to push him around. The problem is he leans over to the right and forward in the wheel chair as if he's going to fall out. Has anyone else experience this problem? Is there a product I can place in his chair so he can be comfortable and at the same time prop him up.
Any assistance you can provide me, will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Ann

Care Decisions Medical Equipment and Supplies Mobility

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I'm going to suggest you investigate getting him fitted for a custom wheelchair, yes they can be expensive but there may be some medicare coverage if it is prescribed as medically necessary. My mom had a tilt in place chair with a headrest and lateral supports and that is where she spent her entire day for several years (both while at home and after she moved to long term care) so it was worth every penny we spent. IMO it is one of the things that might ultimately save money in the long run, I bought many assistive devises that needed to be changed or upgraded as she deteriorated - the only change to the chair was adding in a ROHO seat cushion when she began to show signs of pressure on her tailbone, unfortunately nobody suggested that to us in the first place.

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I agree. My father sits in his Medicare covered custom wheelchair all day. It is rented monthly until paid for. You need a doctor or physical therapist order. The wheelchair company will come and assess and order specifications and will make adjustments as needed until the chair is paid for. There are side support cushions and you can lean the chair back. There are even arm supports if needed. You cannot get the chair in a regular vehicle or fold to transport. You would need a custom van. On another note, facilities will not allow any type of belt as they are considered a restraint. We have a pommel cushion that keeps from slipping down but it is hard and not like the one he had before that helped prevent sores.

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Search "lateral support for wheelchair" and several products will come up. I also saw something called a "Lap Buddy" which is like an inflatable bumper that fits over their lap and out the sides so that your LO can't attempt to stand up unaided and will keep him from going forward.

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There are different kinds of torso supports specific for use with wheelchairs. Check with your medical supply store or just google the term. There are some that are vest-like and Velcro to the wheelchair to promote better positioning. Another consideration may be a reclining wheelchair. As he becomes weaker, it may be more comfortable for him. Either way, hope you find what you need.

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There are wheelchair seatbelts as well as table type devices that hook on to the chair to prevent forward leaning. There are also a variety of devices available to prevent or reduce side leaning while promoting improved posture and increasing safety. These products are available through healthcare product sites online or Amazon. Just make sure whatever you select fits properly and doesn't cause skin irritation.

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There is a cushion called a lap buddy. It soft, vinyl or plastic cover and fits across the lap with cutouts that fit into the arms of the chair in the front. It's. comfortable without being too much restraint. I have seen them used in many nursing homes

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You might want to get an extra-large gait belt, but pad it on the front with a folded towel. Put it around your dad, a little higher than his waist, and then buckle it behind the back of the wheelchair. This should work.

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I too hate wheelchairs. When Mom was inbrehab they put her in one the whole time she was there. They kept saying she was trying to get out, no she wasn't, she was trying to get comfortable. I'd ask for a cushion. The aide would get me one and I'd find out later the Therapist took it out. She felt Mom didn't need it.

When Mom was in the NH, they gave her a chair that the bottom tilted back. Kept her from being able to get up. The back leaned back sobshe could nap and had cushions on the side of her head to keep it in place. I loved that chair.

Like willies idea.

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Have you considered getting a safety belt for the wheel chair? It’s his neurological condition that causes him to lean forward. Also. you consider should getting him a custom designed wheel chair for his disability. A rehabilitation hospital has these experts.

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My father leans forward/sideways in his chair. These are some of the things that have helped. 1) make sure the wheelchair is higher in front than in back & have a seatbelt installed. 2) make sure there is an inflatable cushion in chair. 3) Slide a hospital table under wheels of wchair until table wheels lock under wchair wheels. Sometimes I will push pillows in areas around armrest, shoulders, etc. When my dad starts leaning way over in chair, I take him to bed for a nap which seems to help.

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My husband also slumps forward. We’ve found that a sheet wrapped around him and tied at the back of the wheelchair is much more comfortable than a gait belt. Another problem is that he sometimes leans too far back and slides forward out of the chair. Our granddaughter who is a home healthcare nurse showed us how to fashion a harness from the sheet by wrapping it first around each leg in a figure eight before tying it behind him. We haven’t tried this on him yet but plan to today

Is there a product to keep someone from leaning over in a wheelchair?

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