Clinical Benefits

Falls Prevention

Quality clinical seating can play a critical role in falls prevention, particularly amongst elderly individuals.

Clinical trials demonstrate a 100% decrease in the incidence of falls and sliding amongst participants who used a Seating Matters chair. The safety of these clients was also greatly increased as less manual handling was required.

Falls Prevention Chair Features

Many patients who use clinical, therapeutic seating are in the high risk category for falls. This includes elderly individuals, as well as patients with low mobility, or conditions like Huntington’s Disease, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s Disease or MND.

Seating Matters chairs have been clinically designed for falls prevention, with features including:

Back Angle Recline: Seating Matters chairs have adjustable back angle reclines, which can be altered and locked to the correct position. This prevents the patient being pulled forward in their seat, and reduces the likelihood of falls and sliding.

Riser Function: Seating Matters riser recliner chairs can help patients slowly come to a standing position whilst being fully supported.

Tilt in Space: Tilt in space is when the entire chair shifts in position on its frame as a single unit, while maintaining the angles of a patient’s hips, knees and ankles. This can change their centre of gravity to improve positioning and reduce the risk of falls.

Adjustable Arm Rests: If the patient has poor balance and head control, they may lean and fall to the side of their chair. Adjustable arm rests can help to mitigate this risk.

Adjustable Leg Rests and Foot Plate: These adjustable features enable the individual to be fully loaded and supported in their chair, creating a stable base of support.

Adjustable Seat Depth: Adjustability of seat depth enables Seating Matters chairs to suit many different body shapes and users. This is particularly important for multi-user environments like hospitals and aged care facilities.

Falls in Australia

Falls are Australia’s leading cause of injury hospitalisation and death, representing 43% of injury hospitalisations and 42% of injury deaths.1

Over 50% of injury hospitalisations from falls involve a fracture.1

Falls account for 77% of injury hospitalisations in older Australians (aged 65+).2

Older Australians (65+) are 8 times as like to be hospitalised and 68 times as likely to die from a fall compared to those aged 15-64.2

$2.3 billion was spent on treating fall injuries in the 65+ population in 2019-2020.2

Falls Prevention Clinical Trials

Seating Matters chairs are constantly being reviewed and updated, with feedback from healthcare workers, patients and clinical trials.

These clinical studies demonstrate a 100% decrease in the incidence of falls and sliding amongst patients who used a Seating Matters chair in a hospital setting. Further research suggested that safety of the clients was greatly increased as less manual handling was required.

Another study conducted in residential and nursing homes showed a significant decrease in the incidence of falls and sliding amongst participants. The results of these studies can be downloaded below.