Health & Medical Medical & Health Issues

Medical Supplies for Obese and Bariatric Patients

Updated May 12, 2013.

The resources below will help healthcare teams and bariatric patients plan for a better overall experience. Healthcare organizations need to take into consideration the very unique, and sometimes opposing, needs of bariatric patients and how they differ from their non-bariatric population. Bariatric and obese patients may also find it even more inconvenient than others to attend medical appointments. The travel, the access, all becomes a much more substantial ordeal.

Here are some ideas for sculpting a more patient-friendly experience. This list of articles not only includes medical supply product reviews, but also considers the co-morbidities that bariatric patients commonly have, and how to manage those chronic conditions from the comfort of their home with the ease and dignity they deserve.


1. Inexpensive Bariatric Planning Considerations that Prevent Costly Complications

Learn more about how planning the physical space from the perspective of easier bariatric access will lead to better patient compliance to health and wellness appointments, as well as improved dignity and safety during an in-patient hospital stay.More »


2. 23 Low-Cost Ways to Care for the Growing Bariatric Population, Part 2

There are many furniture, equipment, and medical supply needs that bariatric and obese patients have that others do not. Peruse this article to make sure you've prepared for requirements such as mobility and bath safety.More »


3. How to Determine Proper Fit in a Wheelchair


In addition to the physical space demands noted above, consider life from the perspective of the bariatric patient. What other medical conditions might they typically have?

Often, bariatric and obese people rely on wheelchairs for all or part of their day. If your shopping for a wheelchair, learn how to properly fit the chair and understand what questions to ask to ensure it has the weight capacity needed for safe transportation.More »


4. 12 Types of Wheelchairs

Among this list of 12 types of wheelchairs, there are more features and questions to become familiar with when selecting a chair for obese and bariatric patients.More »


5. Investing in a walking aid? Examine the features of these types of rollators.

Another mobility tool available is the rollator. In short, it can be described as a walker with wheels. But there are safety issues about which one should learn while choosing the appropriate model.More »


6. Bathroom Safety Medical Supplies

Bathrooms are filled with hard and sometimes slippery surfaces. This is a very common place for people to fall and get injured. Fortunately, there are medical supplies for bath safety that are designed with the obese and bariatric patient in mind.More »


7. 12 Respiratory Aids for Home Health Care

Another typical co-morbid condition this patient population will have is breathing difficulty. It could be asthma, or sleep apnea, or many other types of airway issues due to the excessive weight that their body frame carries. Here are some ideas to get you started on products about which you could ask your healthcare provider.More »


8. 9 Skin Care Products for Pressure Ulcer Prevention

A pressure ulcer, sometimes called a "bed sore," describes an area on the body where constant friction and pressure weakens the skin to the point where an open sore occurs. Since bariatric patients sometimes are confined to long periods in bed or in a chair, they are at higher risk for developing a pressure ulcer. Learn more about the skin products available to prevent and treat these sores.More »


9. Medical Supplies for the Prevention, Detection, and Treatment of Heart Disease

Cardiovascular disease is another common comorbidity for this population. This article sheds some light on the risk factors for heart disease, as well as the issues about which you can ask your doctor.More »


10. Blood Glucose Meters for Home Testing

Obesity is a risk factor for Type 2 diabetes. Therefore, if you are managing your diabetes here are some points to consider when selecting the blood glucose meter you'll be using from your home.More »

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