Height adjustment
Adjustment of the height of an office chair is used to ensure as good a working condition as possible for the user, while having the feet supported on the floor. For children with disabilities and their caregivers the function enables the user to be positioned at the same height as typically developing peer, or to be positioned in a height that allows the caregivers to support them with various daily tasks. For the caregivers this can be done without compromising their own work condition by having to reach for the user, to bend over or stand raised on their feet.
The needs of the user and the possibilities will be the most important when making a clinical decision about medical devices. It is also well accepted that medical devices are of importance to and might impact the caregivers and families. When it comes to the perspectives and priorities of the caregivers, it is very relevant to consider the High-low:xo.
The High-low:xo can be able to contribute to ensure good working conditions for the caregivers. This is done by either lifting the smaller user up to the caregiver or lowering the taller user down to the caregiver.
Examples of activities where positioning of the user can ease the work of the caregiver could be:
- Selfcare: eating and drinking, caring for hair or nails or taking footwear on and off at a height where the caregiver can assist without compromising on work conditions.
- Learning and applying knowledge: reading or writing together at a table height suitable for both the user and the caregiver.
These examples are activities, where it can be relevant to discuss daily routines to ensure that the caregiver priorities are included in the clinical decision making.
By acknowledging family and caregivers as important participants in the clinical decision making, it might be possible to find product solutions that increase activity levels of the user and improve the quality of life for the users and their family or caregivers.
