The Importance of Supportive Furniture for Seniors Aging in Place
An increasing number of seniors are opting to age in place, as it offers comfort, familiarity, and independence. However, there can be drawbacks if seniors don’t have the right support team, including loved ones, companion care at home providers, and their medical team. Another must for aging in place successfully is ensuring the home and the things within it work well as seniors begin to navigate changes. While safety modifications are typically addressed, the value of supportive furniture might fall by the wayside.
Encouraging Comfort and Physical Well-being
The body changes with age, which may have an impact on strength, balance, and mobility. Some of the physical restrictions that result from this impact can be relieved with supportive furniture, as it reduces strain and helps to avoid injuries. Seniors can sit and stand up more easily and reduce their chance of falling by using chairs with firm seats, high backs, and armrests. For those with arthritis or persistent pain, adjustable beds or reclining chairs help ease joint pressure, increasing circulation and lessening discomfort.
An additional benefit of supportive furniture is that it can help with posture, which is crucial for minimizing back discomfort and muscular strain. Seniors can preserve a natural alignment in their spines with the use of ergonomically designed pieces, like lumbar-supportive chairs. Also, prolonged sitting in non-supportive chairs can aggravate sciatica and other conditions, making it more difficult to move around comfortably.
Improving Independence and Mobility
Maintaining mobility, which is a key component of independence, requires supportive furniture. Seniors who have limited strength or flexibility may find it easier to get up from a seated position without assistance if they have furniture with integrated lift mechanisms. This also reduces the physical load on family members or companion care at home.
Encouraging Emotional and Mental Health
Aging in place has almost as much emotional significance as it does physical. Seniors who can stay in their homes with the support of loved ones and companion care at home tend to be more confident and emotionally healthy. In this instance, supportive furniture serves a purpose beyond mere comfort. It also preserves their sense of independence and dignity. Another factor to consider is that, for a variety of reasons, seniors may stay at home more than ever before. For this reason, it’s important to prioritize the support they have inside the home to ensure the best possible care.
Avoiding Accidents and Falls
One of the main causes of injuries in seniors is falls. Selecting the appropriate furniture can greatly lower this risk. Chairs with strong armrests, for example, offer additional support when seniors are changing from sitting to standing. Also, using grab bars next to beds and chairs and placing non-slip surfaces around furniture can help reduce the risk of accidents. Additionally, appropriately sized furniture reduces the need for excessive bending or straining, which can cause imbalance and falls.
Meeting Changing Needs
Seniors’ needs will likely continue to change as they become older, and furniture should be flexible and supportive enough to meet those changing needs. Lift chairs, reclining chairs, and adjustable beds are a few examples of furniture that can accommodate different physical capacities. Additionally, the right furniture guarantees seniors’ continued safe and comfortable use even if health issues such as osteoporosis, arthritis, or decreased vision emerge.
For seniors who are aging in place, companion care at home and loved ones can work together to make sure they have the supportive furniture they need to ensure their safety, independence, and general well-being.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Companion Care at Home Services in the Olathe KS area, please contact the caring staff at Elder Care of Kansas City, today.
Proudly serving Jackson, Clay, Platte, and Cass Counties in Missouri as well as Johnson and Wyandotte Counties in Kansas for over 30 years. Call us at 816-333-3322.
Prior to purchasing Elder Care, Kevin spent over 20 years in the health insurance industry.In his most recent position, he was in a financial operations role with Humana where he worked with doctors, nurses and other health professionals developing programs to keep Humana members healthy.Their focus on primary care and medication adherence improved the lives of thousands of seniors in Kansas City and the surrounding area.
Kevin and his wife, Lori, have three children.Kevin has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Missouri.
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