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High dependency chairs are needed when a loved one spends most of their out-of-bed time in the same chair. This can be at home or in a nursing home. In these circumstances you need to understand the patient’s needs before you buy. Posture, ability to breathe, sit comfortably and avoid pressure sores, are all reasons to take your time to ensure you select the correct chair.

The following tips will help you to understand what’s needed:

1. Decide what you want and need at the outset
   It’s best to get a chair that covers current and future needs at the start. High dependency chairs are not cheap so you want to ensure you cover all needs from the start. These include:
   – Tilt-in-space; where the whole chair can tilt to allow you change positions and reduce constant pressure on one area, that can result in pressure sores.
   – Backrest recline; Allows you independently alter the angle of the backrest. Helpful for a naps and comfort.
   – Elevating leg-rest: This is important to reduce fluid retention in the feet/ankles as well as providing a comfortable postural position while reading or watching TV.
   
   
2. Check what features are included
   Some suppliers quote a low price at the start but then add extras to cover the needs mentioned above. This can sometimes increase the chairs cost by as much as 50%. So if you know what you want at the start you can avoid this.
   
   
3. Think Long-Term
   Most users in a high dependency chair will have long-term needs or progressive conditions like MS, MotorNeurone, Parkinson’s, spinal injuries or simply old-age. It’s important to consider future proofing their needs. Spending an extra 10 or 20% at the outset can save €1,000’s if you don’t need to upgrade or replace the chair in a few years.
   
   
4. Select a reputable company with the required expertise
   High-dependency chairs cannot be purchased through the internet suppliers as it’s a complex product and always requires a competent and professional assessment.
   Some families will involve an occupational therapist, or have their needs noted, if the HSE will not supply.
   All Murrays Medical seating experts have years of experience and training. We will always visit your home or Nursing home to assess your loved ones needs and are happy to work with healthcare professionals.
   We have many models to suit every possible need.
   
   
5. Only work with suppliers that will visit your home for an assessment
   It’s important to select the right chair for comfort and posture but it also needs to work/fit in your living environment. Often times we’ve come across families that have purchased a chair that then couldn’t fit through the bedroom door.
   
   
6. Do you need manual movements or electric assistance
   All good quality high dependency chairs are relatively easy to use when adjusting the positions. If the primary carer is also frail, you may need to consider upgrading to an electric version of the same chair. These make life easier as they remove the need to consider the size and weight of any patient.

People of all ages experience issues of controlling their continence from time to time and this can have a huge impact on their daily lives. 1 in 3 women and 1 in 7 men will experience incontinence, so it’s a lot more common than you’d believe and you’re not alone. The good news is that there are plenty of products, support and advice available to help.

There are different levels of incontinence, starting with light leakages, sometimes called stress incontinence, to the other end of the spectrum with severe with the complete loss of control. The positive news is that whether you’ve mild or severe incontinence we have something to help at Murrays. Here are some tips to match your needs to the most suitable products:

Day time or night time incontinence?
Daytime is usually more controllable and less severe thereby needing less bulky/absorbent pads. All pads show the absorbency on the cover so you can see what level of coverages is supplied. See image:

How severe is your incontinence?
Mild, or stress incontinence, occurs most frequently if you don’t make it to the toilet in time or cough and release a little. As above the smaller pads are all that’s needed.
If you’ve little control, or have lost confidence with accidents, the larger more absorbent pads are better.

Disposable or reusable?
There are both disposable and reusable products available nowadays. Reusable pads are absorbent and can be laundered in the washing machine, dried and designed to be ready for the next day.

Advice and showroom assistance
If you require more advice at Murray’s we three ways to help;

1. Research through our website where we list all the products. You can then order online for home delivery.
2. Call us, where you can talk with one of our friendly team to guide you through the options.
3. Visit one of our shops where we can professionally and discreetly help you select the most suitable products.

We hope you found this short explanation of help and look forward to assisting you if needed.

Have you had a fall, and stopped going out to meet friends, attend Mass or get messages?

If the answer to any of these is YES a wheeled rollator might just be the answer.

Rollators are designed to provide continued independence,  mobility and socialisation for those who’ve lost balance, stamina and confidence resulting from falls or simply running out of gas. Oftentimes, the rollator is mostly there to provide confidence and stability, just in case…

 What’s the difference between a walking frame and a rollator?

A walking frame has rubber ferrules at the base of each leg and a rollator can have 2, 3 and 4 wheels for ease of movement. There is a lifting action with a walker whereas a rollator just glides along.

 What types of Rollator are there?

Rollators come in 3 and 4 wheeled models.

 What’s the difference between 3 and 4 wheeled rollators?

3 wheeled rollators are a bit more manoeuvrable and better suited for confined spaces/

4 wheeled rollators are better for outdoor use as they come with seat bases to take a breather when needed, or to chat with a friend.

Larger wheels are better outdoors, on grass etc, as they have more contact and are less likely to get bogged down. Indoors both work effectively.

 Are they heavy and transportable?

Most modern rollators are very lightweight, fold down and are easy to store in car boots. Make sure you select an aluminium model as steel are a lot heavier to lift.

 How do you measure for the correct rollator?

1. Most quality rollators have adjustable height handles as standard. To measure correctly you just need to simply stand up straight, arms hanging freely and bend your elbows at 15 degrees to get the best height. It’s also quite intuitive so you can adjust to suit your needs.
2. If you’re selecting a 4 wheeled rollator with a seat, it’s best to measure a comfortable seat height so you can sit comfortably.
3. A Physiotherapist can recommend the correct measurements.
4. Come into one of our stores and our trained, friendly staff can help select the best one from the may we have in stock.

 Cable brakes or push down brakes?

Cable brakes are the most common slowing, breaking system on rollators. They’re used in the very same way as bicycle brakes and easy are to use.

If you have arthritis in your hands or low grip strength, a pressure brake may be the better option. All you need to do to slow down or break is to put downward pressure on the handles to engage the brakes.

 We hope this helps. If you need more assistance just call us or visit one of our showrooms. Otherwise check the many options in our walking aid section.