Wherever possible, try before you buy and seek professional therapist advice for special needs. Difficulty is often experienced trying to rise from soft squashy, low and over-deep seats. It is important to find a chair which fits your body, which is supportive yet comfortable. Firm seats and contoured backs can help provide longterm support and comfort. Extended, rounded handgrips and firm cushions assist rising.

Optional Extras
Discuss optional extras such as neck pillows, legrests, pressure distributing foam and other features which may promote additional comfort.
Sit in a sample chair for as long as possible to see if the feeling of comfort continues and consider possible future requirements.

Back Height
Should be high enough to support the back of the head comfortably and high enough to allow correct placement of any neck support. The backrest should follow the contours of the spine as closely as possible.

Armrests
Should be high enough to support the arms without pushing the shoulders upwards.

Seat Height
The seat should be as high as the user's legs are long - look for a good right angle bend at the knee with your feet flat on the floor in the type of footwear you would normally wear at home. Always check you can rise easily.

Seat Width
Ideally there should be at least 2 cms gap either side of the user and you should be able to rest your arms comfortably on the armrests.

Seat Depth
Should be long enough to support the whole of the upper leg to within 1 to 2cm of the back of the knee whilst sitting right back in the seat to gain the benefit of the backrest without resorting to cushions.