Why bariatric equipment is important

Around one third (31%) of Australian adults are considered overweight or obese and this number is expected to increase over the next decade.

Being overweight or obese is also a risk factor for other medical issues that require specialised care or hospitalisation. Providing appropriate care for these patients while making sure they feel comfortable is essential.

Patient sensitivity should be at the forefront of any medical care, and this includes when it comes to providing the right equipment for bariatric patients. People who are overweight are often hyper-aware about the ways in which they aren’t supported during everyday activities. Getting on an airplane, sitting in a chair, or using public transport can present real challenges for those people who don’t fit the standard.

Providing bariatric equipment is as much about making patients feel accommodated as it is about providing medical care. Something as minor as having a mix of standard and larger chairs in a waiting area can make a bariatric patient feel supported by not drawing attention to their condition.