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About
EMP Living is the North American distributor for Mercado Medic. We found Mercado Medic while looking for a chair for our daughter. They were not selling their products in the US at that time. We asked and they agreed to let us bring their innovative chairs to North America.
Mercado Medic is headquartered in Lidingo, Sweden, just outside of Stockholm. They were formed around the original REAL seating system in 1971 and have been manufacturing adaptive seating since. Their company motto is “Designing Functional Chairs for People with Functional Disabilities”. Read more about Mercado Medic here.
All chairs are hand assembled in their facility. They also design and manufacture most of the components in house including the frame, the mechanical components and the upholstery.
REAL chairs are special designed adaptive chairs for people with functional disabilities to do more independently and safely. In Scandanvia they are called Working Chairs. REAL chairs can replace many other chairs including hi-low chairs, standing support chairs, lift chairs, therapy chairs, rehab chairs, transfer chairs, mobility chairs, elevator chairs, activity chairs, ergonomic chairs and many more.
No, users of REAL chairs propel the chair with their feet and not their hands. Unlike wheel chairs,REAL chairs can also maneuver sideways. REAL chairs can also serve as a functional chair for customers with more severe challenges who need extra support to obtain a comfortable seating position.
See our comparison to learn more about the differences between REAL chairs and wheelchairs.
Hi-Low chairs are adaptive chairs designed for children. They area a suitable choice for children with more profound positioning needs because it provides good support and gives the child the ability to be on the same height with his/her peers and communicate with them face to face. It also gives the advantage of adjusting the height to the proper level during feeding or playtime, to help the child participate more easily in activities during family leisure time.
Lift chairs are chairs that feature a powered lifting mechanism that raises the entire chair from the base to assist the user to get on and off a chair from a standing position.
Yes, the height and tilt adjustments that are available on REAL 9000 chairs enable the chairs to be used as lift chairs. The height of the seat can be raised and the seat tilted forward to assist in getting on and off the chair.
Most lift chairs on the market today are lounge recliner chairs that are used in living room or family room type area. They are large and cannot be moved easily. They are not suitable for many activities such as at the kitchen table or at a computer desk.
REAL 9000 chairs are smaller, have large wheels and are ergonomically designed to be extremely comfortable. This allows the chairs to be moved and used anywhere in your home or office. They can be used like the typical lift chair but they can also be used in places like your office and kitchen. If you have difficulties getting into or out of a chair, you should not be limited to a chair in your living room. REAL 9000 chairs allow you to safely and comfortable sit anywhere you need to sit.
The versatility of REAL 9000 seats also enable them to function as stand support chairs. Many people who have trouble getting into and off of a chair also have trouble standing safely for long period of time. With the REAL 9000, you can raise and tilt the seat, engage the braking system and use the chair to support your weight while standing.
A standing support chair is a chair that you can lean against while working in a standing position. Standing support chairs reduce fatigue and also reduce pressure on your feet, knees, hips, and lower back.
Yes, the versatility of REAL 9000 seats also enable them to function as stand support chairs. When the height of the chair is adjusted up, the seat tilted forward and the brake is engaged, the REAL 9000 can support someone in the standing position.
Yes, REAL chairs can help with rehab and therapy. REAL chairs have large 3.9 in wheels that roll easily and a specially designed frame that keeps your feet from hitting the chair. This allows you to walk the chair around your house while sitting which helps you to use your legs more. The safety brake along with the height and tilt functions also allow people to do many exercises while supported by the chair.
A transfer chair is a chair that facilitates transferring someone from one place to another such as to a bed or a toilet or from one room to another.
Yes, REAL Chairs are designed so that the user or caregiver can move the chair from one room to another. The height of the chair can then be adjusted to the height of the bed, toilet, etc. to facilitate transfer from or to the chair by sliding and with minimal lifting.
Activity Chairs are specifically designed for special needs kids suffering from a physical or learning disability. Activity chairs offer improved posture, muscle tone and blood flow.
Yes, REAL chairs are designed to optimize postural management and can be adjusted for each child’s individual needs. Available accessories include seatbelts, harnesses, trunk supports, tables and many more. See our accessory page for more information.
A chair that is powered to move up and down.
Yes, REAL chairs are powered to go up and down. REAL chairs also come with a manual or powered brake to ensure safe operation of the chair.
An ergonomic chair is a chair that can be comfortably used for long periods of time. They are designed to be adjusted to fit your body and the way you work. They promote good posture to minimize fatigue and sores.
Yes, REAL 9000 chairs use our Ergomedic and Ergomedic plus seating systems which were designed with physical therapists for people with significant medical and physical conditions who may not have the core strength to sit properly. Our seating system was designed for people who sit for long periods of time and who may have difficulties operating a typical chair. This resulted in a chair that is extremely comfortable, flexible and easy to adjust.
Although many chairs on the market today can be adjusted, the controls are often difficult to reach which means they are not often used. The controls on REAL 9000 chairs and easy to reach and easy to use which makes it more likely you will adjust your position throughout the day.
General
Anyone who sits for long periods of time will enjoy our chairs. Our chairs are especially helpful for people with weakness in their legs or core and anyone with poor balances. Customers with the following conditions have benefited from our chairs.
Age related muscle weakness
Multiple Sclerosis
Mylalgic Encephalomyelitis
ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease
Cerebral Palsy
Muscular Dystrophy
Spinabifida
Dyspraxia
Short Stature
Myotonic Dystrophy
Amputation
Stroke
Graves Disease
Myasthenia Gravis
Guillain-Barre Syndrome
Our chairs have a life expectancy of 10 years but with proper maintenance, our chairs have been used by customers for over 20 years. Our frame has a 10 year warranty and our gas spring and electric actuators have a 2 year warranty. If parts on the chair wear out, they can easily be replaced. If your condition changes or your body changes, your chair can be usually be modified using the same frame.
In order to be durable and to provide stability when elevated, our chairs generally weigh between 40lbs and 80lbs. The backrest weigh 10 lbs – 20 lbs and can be easily removed. This is still heavy for one person to carry and is not recommended.
Models, Features and Accessories
We sell three models, a pediatric, an adult and a bariatric chair. Our chairs are modular and each of these chairs is configured for per customers requirements. Mercado Medic makes several other chairs which are available on request.
Chairs come with two height options. The low chair goes to a height to 23.6in and the high chair goes to a height of 29.5in. The seat cushion will add another 2-4in.
The seat tilt has wide tilt span with a maximum tilt of 15 degrees forward and 23 degrees backward. The powered backrest can add an addition 30 degrees backward tilt.
We offer two armrests options. The standard armrests are adjustable up and down and when in the down position they are out of the way at seat level. We also offer an arm rest that folds backward, behind the back rest.
Yes, the chair has a safety brake. The brake works by lifting the back two wheels slightly off the ground. This keeps the chair from moving when weight is applied to the seat. An optional brake that lifts all four wheels is also available.
We have a wide selection of accessories. Almost anything that you can get for a powered wheelchair we have available. These include leg rests, head rests, neck rests, seat belts, push bars, armrests, tables, seat and back rest covers, leg supports, side supports, thigh supports, abduction blocks plus many more. See our accessories for more information.
Configuration
Operation
Payment
Delivery and Returns
We ship to all 50 States and Canada. There may be a surcharge for orders shipped to Alaska and Hawaii.
Warranty and Repairs
We have some replacement parts in house. If we don’t have them we will order them from the manufacturer.