The ability to measure weight is an important part of monitoring one’s health, but for many wheelchair users, accessing scales can be a challenge. Traditional bathroom scales require users to stand on a small platform, which can be difficult for wheelchair users, leaving them unable to track their weight. This is a major concern for many healthcare professionals who rely on weight as a diagnostic tool. However, there are some solutions available that can help wheelchair users access scales, such as chair, bed, and hoist scales, as well as wheel-on scales.
Despite the availability of these solutions, they are not widely accessible due to high costs. Traditional scales can be purchased for as little as £9.99, while accessible versions often retail for hundreds of pounds. As a result, many disabled people are going without this benchmark measurement, which can lead to difficulties tracking their health progress.
Dr Georgie Budd, a GP and wheelchair user, believes weight management is crucial for wheelchair users. Since users are not using their big leg muscles as much, they are not burning as many calories. Exercise accessibility for disabled people also tends to be limited. A lack of access to scales can lead to a loss of motivation as well.
Gillian Morphy, a recent amputee, struggles to lose weight without access to scales. For her, losing weight has become even more important since her amputation due to concerns of putting too much weight on her left leg. Currently, she can only get weighed at the amputee clinic, which isn’t an ideal solution for her. She suggests that doctor surgeries could club together to buy accessible scales for the local area, making them more accessible to wheelchair users.
Little information is currently available on how to measure weight and access scales for wheelchair users. Neither NHS England nor the government have provided guidance for doctors or advice on what equipment to use. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has previously considered the issue in 2014 and requested more research be carried out, but nothing has been done so far.
Lizzie, a wheelchair user and mother of three, has not been offered access to proper scales despite the existence of accessible ones. While there is equipment available, they remain out of reach for many wheelchair users. Without accessible scales, it’s difficult to monitor their weight accurately, leading to potential problems going unnoticed
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