How a Swivel Seat For Elderly Passengers Saves Caregiver Strain

A Swivel Seat For Elderly is an option everyone should consider installing in their vehicle. Not only does it have empowerment benefits for the elderly, but it also saves the caregiver’s strain.

As one becomes older, the movement of the joints starts to be limited. Getting in and out of a car is a hassle, and one needs a caretaker to help; however, with a swivel seat for the elderly, one can get in and out of a vehicle by oneself without a caretaker.

Let’s have a closer look at what a swivel seat is, how it works, how it benefits the elderly, and saves the caregiver’s strain.

Understanding What a Swivel Seat For Elderly is and How it Works

A swivel seat is one that is designed to pivot outside the car by rotating 90⁰ towards the door. The motion increases the accessibility of the seat and limits the physical strain on the joints one gets when getting into awkward positions while entering the car.

Getting into a fixed car seat requires one to get one leg into the car, then bend the neck & back, followed by another motion to sit and get the other half of the body inside. However, this motion doesn’t come as easily to the elderly with limited joint mobility, and often requires a caregiver to help them.

A swivel seat fixes the same as it rotates outwards and sits on the sills of the car, allowing the elderly to sit without the help of a caretaker.

A swivel seat can be installed in the driver’s seat, front passenger’s seat, or in the back, depending on the model of the car. The functionality of a swivel seat also varies depending on the model. Some rotate up to 360 ° while others only rotate 90⁰. Some swivel seats are manually operated while others have a motor that automatically operates them.

Benefits of Swivel Seat For Elderly and Caretaker

A swivel seat in a car has multiple benefits, both for the caretaker as well as the elderly. These include reduced strain on the caretakers and the feeling of empowerment for the elderly. Let’s have a detailed look at these benefits.

Reducing awkward lifting angles for the caretaker

A caretaker has to himself/herself get into awkward positions to lift the elderly or the disabled into a regular car seat. The awkward movement puts lateral as well as rotational load on the body of the caretaker, increasing the risk of an injury.

A swivel seat takes away these awkward lifting angles for the caretaker. Instead of the caretaker having to reach in to access, a swivel seat brings the person to them.

Reduces the Strain on Back, Shoulders, and other Joints of a caretaker

The rotational and lateral movement a caretaker has to make to get an elderly in a vehicle puts loads of stress on their joints. In the short run, the same can cause discomfort, and in the long run, it can lead to orthopedic conditions.

Empowers the Elderly by giving them control

Without a swivel seat, an elderly person with orthopedic conditions or a disabled person is always dependent on a caretaker to help them get inside a car. But with a swivel seat, they have the ability to get in themselves and drive to, or be driven to, doctor’s appointments, work, or even a cross-country trip.

With the JCBL Mobility Orbit Roll Swivel seat, things become even easier as the seat automatically converts into a wheelchair once pivoted outside the car.

Who benefits the most from a swivel car seat?

A swivel seat doesn’t necessarily only benefit the elderly but also anyone with any kind of disability or orthopedic condition. Post-surgery patients, those with arthritis, hip replacements, joint replacement, Parkinson’s, stroke recovery patients, and disabled veterans all benefit from a swivel seat

Factors that need to be Considered when Choosing a Swivel Seat for the Elderly

Choosing a swivel seat for a car usually requires checking the compatibility with the vehicle, safety compliance, as well as the country regulations. However, choosing one for an elderly person requires certain extra factors that need to be considered.

• Ease of operation (preferably automatic swivel seats)
• Comfort of the swivel seat (padding and upholstery material)
• Legroom left in the cabin after installing the seat
• Locking mechanism

Comparing swivel seat to other transfer aids

The most common transfer aid for people to get into a car is a wheelchair. However, with a wheelchair, one still has to make the effort of getting out of it and making the motion to get inside the car.

With a swivel seat, one simply has to slide from the wheelchair to the seat, which is already pivoted outside the car (works only with wheelchairs that have collapsible arms).

However, the JCBL Mobility Orbit Roll Swivel seat combines the best of both worlds, as the swivel seat converts into a wheelchair, completely getting rid of the effort to move into and away between the wheelchair and the seat.