Severe Obesity

It gives a feeling of freedom to be able to transport yourself wherever you want. There are a number of assistive products for people who have strained joints or get short of breath while walking. For instance, the products can, make you safer while walking and give you the opportunity to rest along the way. In this way, the products can enable you to walk longer distances. It is important that the assistive product you choose gives you exactly the support you need – no more, no less.

For shorter distances

There are many different sticks that can provide different types of support.

• Walking sticks

Read more in the guide Walking Sticks.

A rollator or a walking table can give you support when you need to move about, both indoors and outdoors. You can, e.g. filter the products by weight, whether they have a resting seat, are intended for indoor or outdoor use, etc.

Read more in the guide Rollators.

• Rollators with 4 wheels, to be pushed
• Walking tables with separated forearm supports

If a rollator or walking table feels too unsafe to use because they can move, you may want to consider a walking frame. A walking frame provides firm support but does not have wheels and therefore a walking frame must be lifted with each step you take. The walking frames are therefore also best suited for short distances.

• Walking frames

For longer distances

If you need to get around for longer distances, an electric bicycle, a three- or four-wheeled cycle, a powered scooter, or a moped may be the solution for you. By using these assistive products, you can continue to move around in the local environment, make errands yourself and thereby maintain your level of activity. Cycling is also a good form of exercise, which gives you the opportunity to improve your fitness without putting unnecessary strain on the joints of your body.

• Two-wheeled foot-propelled bicycles
• Tricycles and quadricycles
• Powered scooters
• Three-wheeled mopeds and motorcycles

You can read more in the guide Tricycles and the guide Powered scooters.

For longer trips, or if you have very poor walking ability, you may need a wheelchair. If you do not use a wheelchair on a daily basis, you will probably need it to be pushed by a helper. Most wheelchairs can be fitted with an electric propulsion unit to relieve the load. They are available both user operated and attendant operated. Most wheelchairs can be folded and taken on trips.

• Manual wheelchairs
• Propulsion units for wheelchairs

Stairs

Climbing stairs can be a challenge if you are severely obese. If your home has several levels or floors, a handle, handrail or a stairlift can provide support and safety so that you can manage getting up or down the stairs yourself. A stairlift consists of a rail, mounted in a step or wall, and fitted with a motor and a chair. The stair lift can take you safely up and down the stairs. Stairlifts can be installed both outside and inside, on curved and straight staircases.

• Handrails and grab bars
• Stairlift with seats

Read more about handrails and support handles in the guide Grab handles, handrails and toilet arm supports.

Sitting position

If you find it difficult to stand up for a long time, for example when you are cooking, doing laundry or in the workshop, it can be helpful for you to sit down on a chair while you work. Activity chairs are fitted with wheels, so you can move between workstations. Brakes or locks on the wheels make it safe for you to stand up and sit down from the chair. Some chairs also have electric height adjustment, which can help you when you need to stand up. If you do not need to sit all the way down or if the workstation is higher than, e.g. a dining table, you can consider a standing chair, where you get support in a semi-standing position. Here you can also choose between different options for wheels and brakes.

• Activity chairs
• Standing chairs

You can read more about activity chairs in the guide Activity chairs.

If you sit a lot during the day, be aware of the risk of developing pressure ulcers. A pressure relieving cushion may be relevant for you, as it can help prevent pressure ulcers by reducing and distributing the pressure on the skin. Discuss with your doctor and possibly care staff whether you are at risk of developing pressure ulcers.

• Seat cushions and underlays for tissue integrity

Lying position

An elevation bed can raise the head end of the bed and can be set in different positions for comfort. This may be relevant for you if you experience shortness of breath when lying down. Elevation of the head end can also help you into a sitting position. It can be helpful if you have difficulty getting out of bed.

• Elevation beds

You can read more in the guide Elevation beds.

If you spend a lot of time in bed, you may be at risk of developing pressure ulcers. A mattress for tissue integrity can help prevent pressure ulcers by reducing and distributing the pressure on the skin. Pressure-relieving mattresses are available in different versions and materials. Discuss with your doctor whether you are at risk of developing pressure ulcers and what risks may be associated with using mattresses for tissue integrity.

• Mattresses for tissue integrity

Bath

A non-slip bath mat can make it safer to stand in the bath where the tiles are wet and slippery. Setting up grab bars in the shower niche provides extra support and can make it safer to take a shower.

• Non-slip bath mats
• Fixed grab bars and handgrips

If you prefer to sit down when you have a bath, there are several different options for you, e.g. shower seats, shower chairs and folding shower seats. Some shower chairs are combined bath and toilet chairs, which can be used both for bathing and for toileting. In a bathroom with limited space, a mounted folding shower seat can be relevant. For safety reasons, many mounted shower seats intended for users with high body mass, will have a supporting leg which folds down together with the seat. In addition, a bathtub board can be relevant if you have a bathtub but find it difficult to get in and out of it. A long shower hose, possibly with on and off button on the showerhead, can reach longer and you do not have to get up or move during the bath.

• Bathtub boards
• Bathtub seats
• Shower chairs with and without wheels
• Mounted shower seats
• Showers and shower units

You can read more in the guide Bath stools, bath chairs and mounted folding shower seats.

A challenge in connection with severe obesity can be to wash oneself on the back and to reach down and wash and dry the feet. There are several assistive products, which may be relevant for one in that situation, e.g. bath brushes, toe cleaners and foot brushes. Some of the assistive products can also be used for drying.

• Bath brushes
• Toe washers and foot brushes

Toilet

If you have difficulty getting up or sitting down on the toilet, a raised toilet seat or a raised toilet can make it easier for you. Some raised toilet seats can be fitted with armrests, which can support you when you stand up or sit down. There are also electrically height-adjustable toilet seat with built-in raising mechanism.

• Raised toilet seats (you will find them under Assistive products for toileting)
• Toilet arm supports and toilet back supports, freestanding
• Toilet seats with build-in raising mechanism

You can read more in the guide Raised toilet seats.

A challenge related to severe obesity can be wiping oneself after going to the toilet. Douche and air drying toilets are assistive products that can facilitate hygiene after toileting. The douche and air drying function is available both as a built-in function in toilet seats and as a built-in function in a specially designed toilets. Please note that the hole in the toilet seat may be smaller if the douche and air drying function is built-in. Therefore, it is a good idea to test the toilet or toilet seat to ensure that you can use it.

If you cannot use the douche and air drying function, then a pair of toilet paper tongs may be an option.

• Toilets with douche and air dryers
• Douches and air dryers for attachment to a toilet
• Toilet paper tongs

You can read more in the guide Toilet seats with douche and air drying function.

If you experience challenges in reaching your feet when you need to take off or put on clothes, socks and shoes, there are assistive products that can help you in those situations. These can be, e.g. dressing and undressing sticks, sock aids, shoehorns and shoes with elastic shoelaces.

• Dressing and undressing sticks
• Devises for applying and removing stockings
• Shoehorns and bootjacks
• Elastic shoelaces

You can read more in the guide Assistive products for undressing and dressing and the guide Devises for applying and removing stockings.

If you have difficulty getting in and out of your car, it may be safer for you to use small assistive product for transferring. A swivel cushion, possibly supplemented by a support handle mounted in the cars doorframe, can make getting in and out easier.

When using these assistive products, make sure you are able to support your own weight using your arms and legs.

• Sliding products
• Swiveling cushions
• Devices to facilitate getting in and out of a vehicle

You can read more in the guide Sliding boards, sliding products and swiveling cushions.

If you find it difficult to turn over when lying in bed, a sliding sheet or silk sheet may be relevant for you. The smooth surface makes it easier for you to turn over in bed.

• Sliding and turning products

As a severely obese person, the strain on the bodys bones and joints can lead to pain or restriction of movement. Many people find that exercise and training become too much of a challenge. Forms of exercise where the bodys joints are not burdened by your own weight may therefore be more suitable for you. For instance, swimming is very gentle on the joints because you do not have to carry your own weight to any great extent. In addition, cycling also gives you the opportunity to improve your fitness without putting unnecessary strain on your bodys joints. If necessary, contact the municipalitys consultant in the area to hear about local options.

• Exercise and ergometer cycles
• Cycles
• Equipment for movement, strength and balance training
• Pedometers
• Arm exercise devices, trunk exercise devises and leg exercise devices