Choosing the armrest configuration based on the activity is the central principle of a chair with removable armrests. The full armrest supports the arms and helps with standing up; the removable top section frees the space under the table; the fully removed side creates lateral access toward bed or wheelchair.
Confusing these three functions leads to misusing a very useful element. Always removing the armrests deprives the person of supports; always keeping them mounted can prevent comfortable meals, side care and some transfers.
Using Sollevita means having a removable and extractable armrest already included in the top-of-the-range equipment. The system works together with the vertical lift, the wheeled trolley for moving with the person on board and the modular construction produced by Poltrone La Castellana.
In brief
- During sitting and standing up, the full armrest offers support for the hands and forearms.
- To move under the table, it is often enough to remove the top section without freeing the entire side.
- For a side transfer, it may be necessary to eliminate the entire barrier between the chair and the bed or wheelchair.
- The wheeled trolley brings the person toward the dining area, but the movement must be carried out on suitable paths and with the chair correctly locked on arrival.
- Seat height, the underside of the table and knee space must be measured before purchase.
Keeping the full armrest during sitting and standing up
Resting the forearms while at rest reduces the need to keep the shoulders suspended. The armrest must have a height consistent with the person: too low invites slouching, too high raises the shoulders.
Using the hands as a reference during standing up can increase the perceived safety. The armrest should not be used to pull oneself up with abrupt movements, but to prepare the body while the person-lift function accompanies the seat upward.
Finding the same support again during the descent helps to control the movement. People with Parkinson’s, weakness or fear of falling can benefit from stable references, without attributing therapeutic effects to the armrest.
Removing the top section to get closer to the table
Getting under the table requires less lateral bulk and a correct height. Removing the upper part of the armrest allows you to bring the torso and elbows closer to the surface without necessarily giving up the lower structure of the side.
Adjusting the vertical lift after checking the underside avoids raising the chair against drawers or cross-rails. The person must be able to keep feet and knees in a comfortable position while reaching a plate, cutlery, a book or a tablet.
Using an independent side table can be preferable when the home table is not compatible. The mobile surface allows reading, eating or using devices even in a reclined position, without loading the armrest with fixed structures.
Removing the side for a side transfer
Completely freeing one side creates a passage between the chair and the wheelchair or between the chair and the bed. This configuration makes sense when the person is transferred laterally and the armrest would represent a physical obstacle.
Aligning the heights with the vertical lift can reduce the level difference between the surfaces. The function must, however, be integrated with an assessment of residual strength, stability, aids and the caregiver’s skills.
Using transfer boards or slide sheets requires professional guidance. The removable side offers space, but does not automatically turn a complex maneuver into a safe passage.
Moving the person to the table with the wheeled trolley
Bringing Sollevita from the rest area to the dining area can avoid a transfer to another chair. The included wheeled trolley is designed for moving with the person on board, but it must be used slowly, on suitable floors and with the person well positioned.
Locking the chair on its feet before the meal prevents movement while the person approaches the table or changes posture. Getting on and off with the chair resting on the wheels instead increases the risk of unwanted movement.
Checking thresholds, rugs and turns before moving prevents sudden stops. The path must be free of cables and wide enough for the product in the chosen width.
Three configurations compared
| Configuration | Main activity | Practical advantage | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full armrest | Sitting, resting, standing up | Support for the arms and a stable reference | Correct height relative to the shoulders |
| Top section extracted | Meal, writing, tablet | Less bulk under the table | Check the underside and knee space |
| Side fully removed | Side transfer, caregiver access | Lateral barrier eliminated | A safe transfer plan is needed |
| Armrest removed + trolley | Positioning in the dining area | The same seat accompanies the person | Lock on the feet before use |
Table and posture: the measurements that make the difference
Measuring the table height is not enough if the underside is thick. Drawers, cross-rails and central legs can prevent getting close even when the top edge seems at the right height.
Choosing the seat depth affects the distance between the torso and the table. A seat that is too deep can force the person to move the pelvis forward; one that is too short can provide little support for the thighs.
Defining the width as 52 or 63 cm changes the space occupied and the position of the armrests. The measurement should be chosen on the body, but must also be verified against doors, the table and the trolley’s path.
Adjusting the footrest extension after the meal allows a return to rest without changing the seat. During the approach to the table the footrest must instead be completely closed and away from obstacles.
Removable armrests also for independent people
Eating at the table in one’s own chair can also concern a fully independent person. Those looking for premium comfort may prefer Sollevita to a traditional chair to keep a personalized seat, lumbar support and the possibility of switching immediately to rest.
Working or reading at the table becomes more natural when the upper part of the armrest does not raise the elbow. The vertical adjustment also allows adapting to surfaces of different heights without adding cushions.
Receiving a massage or personal care may require lateral access even without severe disability. Modularity therefore broadens the premium uses of the product, not only the assistive ones.
Modularity, transport and maintenance
Disassembling the backrest, armrests and wings makes it easier to get through narrow doors or stairs. Modularity should not, however, be confused with fragility: the elements are designed to be removed and reassembled according to instructions.
Removing the covers of the components separately simplifies cleaning the most used areas. Stain-removable and washable fabrics and anti-fraying edges protect the upholstery during repeated maintenance.
Replacing a single component avoids working on the entire chair. Spare parts, support and a complete 3-year warranty make the removable system an advantage even after delivery.
A concrete example: from rest to lunch with the same chair
Finishing rest in Zero Gravity can be followed by returning to the seated position, closing the footrest and activating the trolley. The caregiver accompanies Sollevita to the table on a clear path.
Arriving at the table requires locking the chair on its feet, removing the upper part of the armrest and adjusting the height. The person eats without changing the seat and, at the end, the armrest is reassembled before the next move.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Removing both armrests when the person still needs supports during standing up.
- Confusing the removable top section with the complete removal of the side.
- Raising the chair under a table without checking cross-rails, knees and footrest.
- Carrying out a side transfer without assessing residual abilities and the necessary aids.
- Leaving the chair on the wheels while the person gets on or off.
- Moving the person over thick rugs or unverified thresholds.
Sollevita consultation: bring the table measurements too
Photographing the table from the front and the side with a visible tape measure helps to evaluate height, underside and knee space. The same images show any obstacles to the trolley.
Describing the side transfer allows distinguishing table access from access to a bed or wheelchair. The team must know who assists, which side is used and which aids are already present.
Exploring the Sollevita assistive chair lets you see the removable and extractable armrest within a complete system of adjustable height, wheeled trolley and seat personalization.
Send the Sollevita team the table measurements and describe whether the armrest is needed for standing up, for eating or for creating lateral access.
The consultation will distinguish the removable top section, the removable side, the chair height and the trolley’s path, avoiding a generic configuration.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to remove the whole armrest to eat at the table?
Not always. It is often enough to remove the top section to reduce the bulk, keeping the side. Compatibility depends on the table and on body size.
Does the removable armrest make the chair less stable?
The elements are designed to be removed according to instructions. During sitting and standing up they must be mounted correctly when they are needed as support.
Can I transfer from the wheelchair without manual lifting?
The free side can make a side transfer easier, but technique and aids must be assessed case by case. There is no universal solution.
Does the wheeled trolley replace a wheelchair?
No. It is meant for controlled domestic movements with the person on board, on suitable paths and in compliance with the manual.
Is the vertical adjustment useful at the table?
Yes, because it allows searching for a height more consistent with the surface. However, you must check the underside, feet and knees.
Which measurements should I send?
The person’s width and depth, the table height, the thickness of the underside, the space between the table legs, doors and the trolley’s path.
FAQ
Common questions
Do I have to remove the whole armrest to eat at the table?
Not always. It is often enough to remove the top section to reduce the bulk, keeping the side. Compatibility depends on the table and on body size.
Does the removable armrest make the chair less stable?
The elements are designed to be removed according to instructions. During sitting and standing up they must be mounted correctly when they are needed as support.
Can I transfer from the wheelchair without manual lifting?
The free side can make a side transfer easier, but technique and aids must be assessed case by case. There is no universal solution.
Does the wheeled trolley replace a wheelchair?
No. It is meant for controlled domestic movements with the person on board, on suitable paths and in compliance with the manual.
Is the vertical adjustment useful at the table?
Yes, because it allows searching for a height more consistent with the surface. However, you must check the underside, feet and knees.
Which measurements should I send?
The person's width and depth, the table height, the thickness of the underside, the space between the table legs, doors and the trolley's path.
