- Daily care need first; diagnosis or product category second.
- Fit is checked before quote or final configuration.
- Sollevita does not replace medical or professional assessment.
Measure the person, not the old chair
The old chair may never have fitted well, and bodies change over time. Take every measurement from the person as they normally sit, in everyday clothing — and note any cushion they use so the supplier can factor it in.
1. Seat width — measure across the hips
Measure the widest point across the hips while seated, then add about 2–3 cm for clothing and easy movement. Too wide and the person leans sideways with nothing to support them; too narrow and the chair presses on the hips. A snug, supportive fit beats a roomy one for anyone seated for long hours.
2. Seat depth — hip to the back of the knee
Measure from the back of the hip to the back of the knee, then subtract about 2–5 cm so the front edge does not press behind the knees. Too deep and the person slides forward to reach the backrest and ends up slumped, with pressure behind the knees.
3. Seat height — floor to the back of the knee
Measure the lower-leg length, from the floor to the back of the knee, with the footwear normally worn. Feet should rest flat on the floor with the hips slightly higher than the knees. This is what makes standing up — and sitting back down — feel safe and controlled.
4. Body support and capacity
Note the person’s weight and build so seat width, backrest and capacity are chosen around them rather than a standard size. For larger builds, a wide seat and a high-capacity frame matter as much as the measurements.
Before you finalise: room and access
Measure the door width, the route from the entrance to where the chair will stand, and the space the chair needs when it reclines or rises. A chair that fits the person but not the room causes problems later.
A good supplier double-checks the figures
Share your measurements with the supplier; a good one will re-check them with you before confirming a size. On Sollevita, seat width, depth and capacity are confirmed during the free fit check, before any quote.