The concept of custom molded seating solutions can often be controversial and sometimes misunderstood. Though there have been many advancements in molding technology, education & training, it appears there is frequently some element of fear around the decision to mold from the service users and clinicians I have encountered over the years.
My hope is that this blog will help both service users and service providers by providing insight that may facilitate an open dialogue when considering molded seating solutions. In Part 1 I aim to shed light on service users’ perspectives in an easy-to-follow FAQ format while Part 2 of this blog will address the service provider’s perspective in the same format.
Below you will find some of the frequently asked questions I commonly receive from service users along with the answers I would like to offer based on my own experiences as well as those experiences shared with me.
Does it mean that my posture is getting worse if I need a custom molded seat?
Not necessarily.
A custom molded seat and or back support that is designed specifically for your body shape may be the best option to keep your postural alignment optimal for daily functions. By providing adequate support, we hope to not only improve function but also decrease the risk of body shape distortion.
It could, however, mean that a more intimate fitting seating solution is necessary because body shape distortion (often perceived as ‘poor posture’) is becoming more evident due how your body alignment presents during the 24-hour cycle. In this case, your sitting and lying position and related support may need to be assessed to determine your specific needs at this point in time, which may include molded seating and supine support.
Will I look more disabled in a molded solution versus an out of the box solution?
With a molded solution that is built for you based on the findings of a thorough clinical assessment, you should look and feel more relaxed and be better able to function.
Some molded seating systems do appear to be larger than out of the box seating solutions and the concept of looking ‘more disabled’ differs from person to person. Due to the advances in technology, custom molded seating systems are not nearly as large or bulky as they were in the past. However, aesthetics are important to consider when selecting a seating solution and should always be discussed with the team, ultimately with the service user’s wishes being granted with their priorities respected.
How will my ability to function be affected if I am molded for a seat and back support system?
Any function that you can participate in would ideally be improved and optimised if you are molded based upon clinical hands-on findings from your detailed assessment. The goal of a molded seating system is not to lock you into one place without allowing movement, but to support your unique body shape appropriately to decrease the work of sitting so you can engage in meaningful and necessary activities.
I was molded several years ago, and it didn’t seem to help my posture, it may have even made it worse. Now I am afraid of it.
It is important to ensure your experience and your fear is communicated to the team of professionals you are working with. You and your team should be able to discuss the differences between your expectations and the reality of what you experienced in order to problem solve and determine adequate solutions for preventing that from happening again.
Becoming familiar with the steps that should be taken before, during, and after a molding session is also important so you can be sure you are receiving the care you deserve. For example, it’s imperative that you first receive a comprehensive hands-on assessment in sitting and supine, and that the angles determined during that assessment are respected during the shape capturing session. During the shape capturing session, you or your carer will be asked for feedback so as to ensure your fears can be put to rest and your needs are addressed. After your custom molded chair is delivered, your team will reassess to ensure the mold is exactly as intended based on the assessment findings and they will later follow-up with you to address any additional questions and concerns.
Unfortunately, we have experienced situations where the molded system delivered was altered during manufacturing, so it no longer aligned with the shape intended for the person based on the assessment or shape capturing session. In this case it is the responsibility of the service providers to catch any discrepancies and ensure a new mold is ordered or modified.
Will I be too hot in a molded system?
Molded seating is commonly made with foam which is an insulator of heat. This means that it is quite common to experience overheating, especially when you are participating in activities or if the weather is warm or humid. The great thing is that there are several solutions to mitigate this overheating. For example, manufacturers have put a lot of research and development resources into cover materials which can assist with heat. Also, there is an excellent solution from WheelAir which is designed to provide cooler air through the custom back support to keep the individual cooler. This information can be found here.
Does the molded seating have to look/be so bulky?
I remember years ago when custom molded seating solutions were indeed quite bulky. Today however, assistive technology professionals and seating specialists have fine-tuned and streamlined the process and the less bulky profile leading us to much cleaner edges under the arms as well as around the thighs and knees. This means that postural support and functional freedom can be in balance by allowing a well-shaped back support to have a short enough length along with low-profile lateral trunk support.
It can be difficult to imagine this during the shape capturing process as many of the molding bags used are quite big and are not representative of how the final product will appear. The person responsible for capturing the molded shape will be able to show where the trim lines are which will help with visioning the end profile.
How do I know that I am sitting in my molded seating correctly?
The best way for anyone to know if the position is as intended is for a second person to feel between the back of the person’s body and the back support with the person sitting in their seating system. This is easiest done with a slide glove or a slippy bag over the hand that is going between the persons back and the molded back support.
When this is done, you should feel no gaps between the person and their back support. If there are gaps where a hand can fit in between the person’s back and the molded back support, it usually indicates that the person is not positioned as intended and/or it may be time to have the mold reviewed.
Another way to check that you are sitting in the molded seat correctly is to use a visual cue by looking at the individual’s Life Box. When I do a clinical assessment and molding is the chosen solution, I always show the individual and their carer what their Life Box is shaped like when their body shape is being captured for the molded seat. Each time the individual is then transferred into their molded seating system, the individual and/or their carer can check to make sure the Life Box is as it should be.
What are some other questions you often here from service users in relation to custom molded seating? What else might you add to the responses I’ve provided above? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!