Broda Chairs have helped make a difference for many people, by solving various seating issues. Below are some testimonials from Broda customers on how our chairs have helped solve their problems...

If you would like to share a positive experience you have had with Broda chairs, please e-mail us at sales@brodaseating.com

Alzheimer's Patient

We have a woman in our facility with Alzheimer's Disease, and we did not know what to do with her. It got to the point that she was slumping forward in her chair with her head in her lap. She was very uncomfortable in this position, and had become unsociable and extremely grumpy.

We placed her in the BRODA Pedal chair and were amazed at the immediate change in her disposition. She not only sat upright, but she started pedaling around in the chair. She had such an improvement in her posture and attitude and we were able to reduce her medication dosage. She was happier, more active and participated in more social activities.

•  OT, Minnesota

Leg Contractures

We had a gentleman in our facility that had severe contractures in his legs and as a result, had not been out of bed for a very long time. We tried various other seating options, but had not had any success in finding a chair that would accommodate his needs.

Finally, as a last resort, our Rehab Manager suggested we call BRODA, as he had heard that BRODA offered various seating options and may be able to help. After discussing the gentleman's positioning needs, we arranged a trial of a Contracture chair, an Elite 35C for this resident.

For the first time in a very long time, the resident was able to be out of bed, comfortable and social again. We want to thank BRODA for solving an issue that we thought was unsolvable.

•  OT, South Carolina

Commode & Shower needs

We recently had an in-service on the BRODA 385 Commode/Shower chair. After seeing the demo and trying it out, we decided that this chair was the best on the market and that there was no other chair comparable. Other commode/shower chairs are typically not as strong as the BRODA 385. The durability of a chair is an important buying factor for hospitals and nursing homes with small budgets in terms of longevity.

We have had problems finding commode/shower chairs that will support the weight of, and are wide enough for some of our patients. We were very impressed with the swing away, removable arms on the 385 and thought that the casters made it very easy to move the patient. Typically, if there are any casters at all on a chair, they are small and it is not easy to maneuver, especially with a heavier patient in the chair. The tilt and recline features of the 385 also help to make our job easier in bathing and caring for the patient.

The only Commode/Shower chair that we have really seen work is the BRODA 385, and we are now big fans of BRODA.

• PT, Washington

Pressure Sores

Jane P. was a 64 year old woman who had COPD, claustrophobia, and decreased mobility. Because of her COPD and claustrophobia, she refused to sleep in her bed, and instead, insisted on staying up in a wheelchair all day and night. The nursing staff repeatedly documented her non-compliance for not returning to bed to relieve the pressure from her bottom. The physical therapist spent several weeks adjusting her pressure relief cushion, tying off cells to the cushion, and adjusting other aspects of her positioning in an attempt to diminish the pressure areas that were developing on her buttock. She had limited mobility and sweated profusely. In addition, the amount of time she spent in an upright position was nearly 24 hours a day.

The physical therapist approached me and told me his dilemma of trying the cushion without good success, and asked for my input. My recommendation was to try a BRODA chair. Initially, the staff refused because she was cognitively intact and able to ambulate several steps, and they felt that she was too “high level” for a BRODA. Additionally, they were concerned that she may attempt to stand unassisted from the chair, and because of the case in chair rolling, she might fall to the floor. However, eventually her bottom became so inflamed that any suggestion was attempted.

The OT evaluation included a skin inspection. Her bottom was by far the worst case of pressure I had ever seen. She had a reddened area that was approximately a square foot in area, non-blanchable. The center of this was a six inch wide, deep purple area that contained multiple open areas. Her skin was too warm, and moisture was obviously an issue.

In an effort to be objective and demonstrate what worked and what did not have any effect, the red area was outlined with a black Sharpie marker. A BRODA chair with both tilt and recline was provided as a trial chair, and adjusted to fit her short leg length. The next day, I went in to check her comfort and her skin. The reddened area had diminished by approximately 2 inches all the way around. Some of the red perimeter, now much smaller, was blanchable. The deep purple area had all faded to red. All of this happened in just one day of proper positioning. Best of all, she reported that she was much more comfortable.

•  OT, New Hampshire

Huntington's Patient

My facility had been trying for months to accommodate our Huntington's resident with comfortable seating, however, he would scream out in pain from his pressure sores, was always unhappy and didn't show any type of positive communication while in the other chairs. He was also unable to sleep properly at night and would cry out, waking everyone in his ward.

As soon as he was placed in the BRODA 785, he never made a sound of pain or cried out in anger, and he actually tried to communicate with those around him. He started to get involved with other residents and caregivers and finally seemed happy. He actually took a nap in the chair, which surprised us because we have never seen him have a peaceful sleep before.

We were so pleased this gentleman did not need as much supervision and care as he had in the other chairs he had tried. We were so amazed how quickly his behaviour had improved while in the 785.

• PT, New York