The Role of Assistive Equipment in Bariatric Therapy

Both men and women in the U.S. are approximately one inch taller and 25 pounds heavier than they were in 1960, according to the National Center for Health Statistics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And 42.4% of U.S. adults have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher as of 2017–2018, according to the CDC. This is considered obese.

It should be no surprise to learn that many of these folks who are overweight or obese are more at risk of suffering injuries that land them in rehab hospitals, where they receive occupational or physical therapy treatment. According to the Planning and Design Guidelines for Bariatric Healthcare Spaces produced by the American Institute of Architects, the “average size” patient for whom hospitals should now be designing now weighs 330 pounds. When designing for bariatric patients, however, that measurement increases to 1,000 pounds.

Occupational and physical therapists often experience what can amount to debilitating injuries on the job during rehab treatments. These injuries that therapists encounter the most are musculoskeletal disorders at rehabilitation hospitals and long-term care facilities. Clinicians have reported that upwards of 70 percent of injuries were attributed to the manual lifting of patients, highlighting the physical strain associated with this facet of the profession. What’s more, the size of the patient emerged as a contributing factor for reported injuries. For example, a study found that while obese patients represent less than 10 percent of all patients, they accounted for 30 percent of all caregiver injuries as a result of bariatric patient handling.

One rising segment of the rehab population that can put therapists most at risk for on-the-job injuries is bariatric patients. Without the necessary assistive equipment, therapists run the risk of sustaining serious injuries from handling and transferring patients during bariatric therapy sessions. 

Risk Factors for Therapists Treating Bariatric Patients

• Patient Mobility Limitations:  Patients who have compromised mobility will likely require more manual handling. This greatly increases the risk of injury for a therapist.
• Patient Weight:  An overweight or obese patient dramatically increases the strain on a therapist’s body.
• Lack of Proper Equipment:  The chances of injury to a therapist rise significantly if you are not using the appropriate assistive equipment.
• Awkward Postures:  Using improper lifting techniques or trying to lift a patient without adequate support can result in awkward postures and strain. 

The Need for Assistive Equipment When Treating Bariatric Patients

In the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, Section 504, there are seven places that address what is referred to as reasonable accommodation for patients with obesity. Hospitals in the U.S. must begin to show reasonable accommodation for obese patients by law as of January 2026.

With this impending federal mandate, occupational and physical therapists have never been in greater need of the use of assistive equipment when treating bariatric patients. The overriding goal for therapists in this heightened regulatory environment is to provide safe, equitable care for their patients of size.

The right assistive equipment will ensure that therapists can treat their patients effectively and enable them to regain independence at a greater speed.

Assistive equipment in bariatric therapy plays a vital role in enabling safe and comfortable movement for larger patients. This reduces the potential for injury to both patients and healthcare workers by providing specialized tools for tasks such as positioning, transfers, and mobility. As a result, assistive equipment allows for overall improved quality of rehab treatment. 

Important Considerations for Selecting the Right Assistive Equipment 

Adequate Training for Therapists
Ensuring proper training among staff on the safe use and operation of assistive equipment.

Appropriate Assessment
Implementing an accurate evaluation of a patient’s needs and weight is essential to choosing the right assistive devices. 

Comfort and Safety Features
Selecting equipment that offers features such as safety belts, padded surfaces and safety brakes.

Patient Mobility Level
Choosing equipment based on the patient’s ability to transfer independently or perform sit-to-stand movements while therapists engage them in exercises. 

Environmental Modifications
Ensuring adequate space and accessibility in the therapy area to allow for larger equipment and patient movements.

Types of Bariatric Assistive Equipment 

1. Transfer Benches – These are sturdy benches that feature a sliding seat to assist with transfers between surfaces such as one piece of rehab equipment to another or a bed and a wheelchair.
2. Bariatric Transfer Boards – These boards provide a simple solution to transferring patients between their chairs, beds, wheelchairs and any other device required for daily living. They typically have a weight capacity of 600 pounds.
3. Patient Lifts – These are mechanical lifts with wider slings to safely lift and transfer patients from one form of exercise equipment to another or from chairs, beds, or toilets.
4. Specialized Seating – These are chairs with wider seats and enhanced support for patients with larger body types.
5. Bariatric Wheelchairs – These are wider and heavier duty wheelchairs with increased weight capacity.
6. Bariatric Beds – These are specially designed beds with increased weight capacity and features such as pressure-relieving surfaces and adjustable height.
7. Wide-Base Walkers – These are walkers that have a wider base for added stability. 

Considering Advanced Equipment

Unlike traditional assistive devices that often require multiple transfers, the Barihab™ Treatment and Assessment Platform combines several rehab tools into one versatile, all-in-one solution. Its hand-controlled sit-to-stand technology, integrated partial weight-bearing scale, adjustable components, and real-time digital feedback ensure patients experience comfort, elevated confidence, and faster progress. For rehabilitation centers focused on efficiency, innovation, and measurable patient success, Barihab™ represents the next evolution in bariatric care.

Key Aspects of Assistive Equipment for Bariatric Therapy

Comfort and Accessibility
Bariatric patients will enjoy more comfort and ease when they are provided with shower seats, bariatric chairs, and commodes with wider dimensions and increased weight capacity.

Mobility Aids
Specialized walkers, wheelchairs, and canes custom made for higher weight capacities lead to independent mobility and involvement in exercise programs.

Safe Patient Handling
Bariatric lifts, slings, and transfer boards allow for safe transfers for overweight or obese patients from one exercise machine to the next, or from a bed to chair, wheelchair, or toilet. This limits the need for manual lifting and strain on healthcare workers.

Reduced Risk for Injury
Assistive equipment serves to significantly minimize the risk of falls, strains, and musculoskeletal injuries during transfers and other movements.

Increase in Therapeutic Effectiveness
By allowing for safe and comfortable movement, occupational and physical therapists are able to focus on functional exercises and patient objectives without limitations imposed by weight.

Specialized Features
Certain assistive devices may come with additional features such as powered adjustments, wider bases for stability, or reinforced components to accommodate bariatric patients. 

Key Benefits of Assistive Equipment for Bariatric Therapy

Ultimate Safety for Patients – Obesity puts patients at greater risk for falls and injuries when therapists transfer or reposition them. But assistive equipment is designed to protect patients up to 1,000 pounds. The right equipment also prevents discomfort and skin breakdown.

Ultimate Safety for Therapists – When physical therapists lift or move an obese patient, it significantly increases the risk of back, muscle, and joint injuries. Assistive equipment decreases strain and the need for multiple staff to assist in maneuvering a bariatric patient.

Enhances Quality of Bariatric Care – Easier mobility prevents complications of immobility, supports better hygiene, and enables therapists and other staff to concentrate on delivering medical care as opposed to physical maneuvers.

Results in Potential Cost Savings – While assistive equipment presents greater upfront costs, it has the enormous potential to reduce staffing needs, worker injuries, and lawsuits in the future. Assistive devices also help to prevent expensive medical complications.

Increases Dignity and Independence – Obese patients are likely to feel vulnerable or embarrassed when they require extra staff to help move them. Assistive equipment enables self-transfers or minimizes handling by multiple therapists.  With assistive equipment, the patient’s countenance changes dramatically, as they transform from being discouraged to feeling good about themselves.

Adapts to Individual Patient Needs – Assistive devices can be customized and tailored to meet the particular needs and abilities of each patient. This ensures optimal functionality and comfort.

Improved Quality of Life – As assistive equipment provides greater independence and participation for personal preference activities, it can dramatically improve the patient’s overall quality of life and well-being. 

Assistive Equipment Critical for Bariatric Therapy

As the population of bariatric patients continues to rise, healthcare facilities and rehabilitation professionals must adapt by prioritizing the integration of specialized assistive equipment into their treatment practices. Occupational and physical therapists face heightened risks when managing bariatric patients without proper resources, emphasizing the critical importance of investing in appropriate equipment, comprehensive training, and environmental modifications. By proactively addressing these factors, healthcare institutions can safeguard therapists from workplace injuries, ensuring sustainable, high-quality patient care.

Ultimately, the thoughtful implementation of assistive equipment significantly enhances both patient outcomes and the overall effectiveness of therapeutic interventions. By reducing the physical strain associated with patient handling, therapists can dedicate greater focus to individualized treatment plans, thereby improving patient independence, dignity, and quality of life. Investing in assistive technologies not only meets the forthcoming regulatory mandates but also positions healthcare providers to deliver superior, compassionate care in an increasingly demanding rehabilitation landscape.