22 Chairs and Rollators

With ALS, you spend a lot of time sitting, so make sure you have at least one chair that is comfortable and functional. My severe neck drop makes this essential.

Unless it becomes absolutely necessary, wearing a neck brace indoors at home for extended hours each day is not an option for me because braces greatly restrict my movements and therefore my ability to complete tasks, and it is very uncomfortable. Early on I realized that it was essential to find a comfortable chair in order for me to eat at our meal table, work at my desk and use my computer without wearing my restrictive and uncomfortable neck brace.

 

I limited my search to ergonomically designed high-back, swivel, office chairs that I could move from room to room as necessary. My severe neck issues require me to have a chair in which I can easily tilt my head and neck back into a comfortable position. What is comfortable is constantly changing, so the chair must be easy to adjust.

 

I researched many chairs online, but I knew from past experience that I needed to actually try out any chair before buying it in spite of manufactures’ descriptions and glowing customer reviews. This limited my choices because there were few office furniture showrooms nearby. I tried a number of different chairs that supported my neck and head, but none of them supported my neck comfortably, no matter the price.

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Initially, I didn’t realize there were “floating back” chairs, but I discovered one in a local store. The floating back or free-float tilt mechanism feature essentially turns your chair into a rocking chair, where sitting changes from a static to more of a dynamic type of movement. They can be locked in position or left to follow the user’s movements in the dynamic, free-float mode.

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After trying it out, I realized this was the chair for me because I could instantly change the angle of the seat back tilt by slightly adjusting my back pressure. This was critical because my worsening neck pain required constant readjustments. It is important to buy the most comfortable and functional chair you can afford.

 

Because my new chair was so comfortable and allowed me to do so many things without wearing my brace, I bought a second used one that was discounted. This allows me to have one at my computer desk and the other at our dining room table that I use for many activities other than eating. This way, I have a great chair in the two rooms that I spend most of my time each day.

 

When balance starts to become an issue, unless you need the extra stability of a walker, get a rolling walker commonly, called a rollator. Rollators provide stability and allow you considerable freedom of movement because of their four fully rotating wheels. Get one with large wheels that allow you to walk easily, including over rough terrain and slopes. They also have a built-in seat that allows you to sit and rest when needed.

 

Make sure it will fold up and is light enough for your caregiver to load in the vehicles you will be transported in. A good rollator allows you to do many things safely that you would not otherwise be able to do. My rollator has become a trusted friend.

 

As with chairs, try out as many rollators as possible to find which one works best for you. If your insurance will not pay for a good rollator, then pay out of pocket if you can afford to. A good rollator makes such a difference. Your rollator is too important to skimp to save a few dollars. Actually, many good rollators don’t cost a lot more than the clunkers.

 

Dozens of people have stopped me on the street to ask where I got my rollator. I explain how much I like it, how they can get one and offer them to try mine out. Perhaps I should apply for a sales job with the manufacturer.