Buy Guide to High Sitting Sofas for Seniors

Studies have shown that lowering the height of the sofa can make it difficult for seniors to stand up from a sitting position. When dropping the height of a sofa from 64 cm to 43 cm (a standard sofa height), the pressure on the hips more than doubled, and the strain on the knees nearly doubled. Therefore, it's vital to find the right high-sitting sofas for seniors. It will significantly enhance seniors' mobility and ease the burden on caregivers.

Finding the ideal high-sitting sofa for commercial use, such as nursing homes, aged care facilities, and senior living communities, can be a challenging task. The sofa needs to be durable, aesthetically pleasing, easy to maintain, comfortable, and feature an optimized seat height. Yumeya’s high-seat sofas (e.g., 475–485 mm) offer the ideal height endorsed by the American Geriatrics Society.

This guide will walk you through understanding the need for high-sitting sofas for seniors, covering ideal height, key features, size, budget, and a list of suitable brands. Let's find the ideal high-sitting sofas for seniors!

Why Seniors Need High Sitting Sofas?

Aging can take a toll on the muscles. Muscle loss begins at the age of 30, with a loss of 3-8% of their muscle mass per decade. This is an inevitable condition. Therefore, seniors 60 years old and older may experience significant stress on the knees and hips when moving from a sitting to a standing position.

Alongside the use of high sitting sofas to combat age-related muscle loss, here are some more reasons to consider them for seniors:

• Improves Mobility and Independence: A study published in the Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy found that over four out of five seniors struggle to rise from a low-height seat. A decent height makes it significantly easier for seniors to stand up from a sitting position, reducing strain on hips and knees.
• Reduces Physical Work for Caregivers: In senior living communities, caregivers will need to assist significantly if the sofa height is not within the recommended dimensions.
• Enhances Safety: While struggling to stand, seniors are vulnerable to multiple accidents, including falls, loss of balance, which can lead to impacts with furniture, and muscle strains or joint injuries. High sitting sofas can help minimize the risk of falls or injuries that can occur when struggling to get out of lower seating.
• Promotes Comfort: The proper height allows the user to sit firmly with better posture. It reduces discomfort associated with prolonged sitting, which is common among seniors.

What Is the Best Seat Height for a Sofa for Seniors?

Finding the ideal height involves using research-backed statistics to conclude. One such study by Yoshioka and colleagues (2014) highlighted that the suitable seat height for a sofa for seniors is within the range of 450-500mm (17.9-19.7 inches) from the floor to the top of the seat cushion. Moreover, the American Geriatrics Society and ADA accessibility guidelines recommend seat heights around 18 inches (45.7 cm) for safe transfers in senior living. Multiple studies suggest that the optimal seat height for high-sitting sofas is suitable for seniors. Here are some of the results found from using the best seat height:

• Reduction in Joint and Muscle Strain: The height range aligns with most adults, particularly elderly individuals, making their movement from a sitting to a standing position easier with less strain on the knees and hips.
• Reduction in Fall Risk: Deeper seats need more push with the help of arms to “push up” from the seat. A high seating sofa can make the process easy with armrests.
• Natural Posture: Using a recommended height is ergonomic and medically recommended for seniors. It promotes a natural spine position and a 90-degree angle, promoting blood flow to the legs.

*Note: Yumeya’s senior sofas like YSF1114 (485 mm) and YSF1125 (475 mm) are designed to meet this exact height requirement.

Key Features to Look for in a High-Sitting Sofa

If you are looking to procure high-sitting sofas for a senior living facility or nursing home, then, in addition to seat height, there are several aspects to consider when selecting a vendor. Tons of furniture manufacturers follow different manufacturing philosophies. Therefore, to ensure that you find the product you aim for, here are the key features to consider:

● Frame Built Quality

Metal frames are the most recommended in high-volume areas. In the case of a senior living facility, the frame needs to be sturdy, as multiple users will use it. Brands such as Yumeya furniture feature sturdy frames that can handle weights of 500 pounds or more. The use of German Tiger Powder Coating, Japanese robotic coating, and especially wood grain structure are high-quality indicators.

● Cushion

The cushioning is key for comfort and an ergonomic position. Cushioning that uses medium to high-density foam (around 30-65 kg/m³) is ideal for elders. A simple test for high-quality cushioning is its high recovery rate. If the cushion recovers at least 95% of its original shape within a minute after pressure is removed, then it is made of high-quality foam.

● Armrests and Back Support

The height of the armrests is also a key design aspect that manufacturers consider when designing high-sitting sofas. It should not be too high, stressing the shoulder, or too low, disrupting sitting comfort. Anything between 20–30 cm (8–12 inches) above the seat is suitable for seniors. A slightly curved back with firm lumbar support can also significantly affect seating comfort.

● Nonslip Legs and Rounded Edges

Stability of the chair is key. Having a sturdy frame with good balance is vital, but making sure that the frame doesn't slip on the floor is also key. While getting into the high sitting sofa, seniors may tend to push back on the chair, which can cause a fall. Therefore, non-slip sofa feet can prevent falls. Moreover, rounded edges protect elders from bumps, scrapes, and bruises that sharp corners could inflict, especially during transfers or if they lose balance and lean against the furniture.

● Upholstery

Alongside premium aesthetics, the upholstery needs to be waterproof, antibacterial, and easy to clean. A removable cover can also enhance the convenience for care home staff.

Size and Configuration Options

Having a variety of high seating sofas can create a welcoming atmosphere, offering residents more options. High-sitting sofas come in various sizes and configurations, including single, double, and triple occupancy. These sofas are designed for lounges or rooms that require flexible configurations. Consider the following aspects:

• Width: For a single sofa, the seat width should be 50–60 cm.
• Length: The length depends on the single, double, or triple configuration. Some modular versions can offer switching between a single and double sofa configuration.
• Stackability: For large care homes and retirement lounges, stackable high-sitting sofas offer crucial flexibility, enabling staff to reconfigure spaces for different events easily. Beyond event versatility, stackability also optimizes storage efficiency, freeing up valuable floor space when the sofas are not in use or during deep cleaning.

Budget Considerations for Commercial Buyers

Every senior living facility is made with a budget in mind. It can be a tight constraint for budget-friendly options or flexible for premium and upscale senior living homes. Here are aspects to consider for each type:

For Budget-Friendly Options

Consider functionality with non-negotiable features, such as non-slip legs. For senior care homes, ease of maintenance will go a long way. Moreover, the stackability of high-sitting sofas allows for flexibility in configuration and space management. Find the right balance between individual cost and durability.

For Premium Product Options

For high-end and premium senior living communities or homes, budget may not be a significant concern. Consider providing residents with a superior experience by utilizing furniture from reputable brands that offer exceptional durability and quality. This means more extended warranties, advanced ergonomics, and all-around safety features, such as rounded edges and optimal armrests. Invest in hygiene, unique designs, and robust after-sales support.

Note: Yumeya is a high-sitting sofa manufacturer that offers a 10-year frame warranty and specializes in products suitable for high-traffic environments, such as nursing homes and clinics.

Top Brands for Commercial High-Sitting Sofas

To make the selection process easier, here are the top three high-quality sofa manufacturers that produce furniture suitable for seniors.

Yumeya Furniture: Premium Quality with Budget-Friendly Options

• Metal Wood Grain Technology
• Tiger Powder Coating
• OEM/ODM Capability
• Elder Ease Design Series
• International Standards (ANSI/BIFMA Compliance, Disney Social Audit)
• Up to 10-Year Warranties

Affordable Seating Company

• Budget-friendly high sitting sofas
• Commercial hospitality focuses on products
• Extensive stock for rapid delivery and customization
• Made in USA options

Mobility Furniture Company

• For low volumes, designed and crafted individual client specifications
• Riser recliners and adjustable bed options
• Extended warranties up to 5 years
• Wider options in cushioning,e.g., gel, memory

Conclusion

Caring for the vulnerable members of our society is crucial. Therefore, empathy and compassion are integral to nursing homes, aged care facilities, and senior living communities. High-sitting sofas provide seniors with utmost comfort for movement between sitting and standing positions. Selecting the right sofa is key to ensuring both aesthetics and convenience.

In this guide, we first understand what seniors need from a high sitting sofa. Found out that the ideal seat height for sofas is from the ground, i.e., 450-500mm (17.9-19.7 inches), and explored key features such as frame construction, cushioning, armrests, non-slip legs, rounded edges, and upholstery suitable for a senior living community. Put forward a guide to selecting a brand based on budget and named some top brands that produce well-researched product design.

If you're looking for the ideal high-sitting sofas, consider Yumeya lounge seating. Visit their website to explore the right high-quality sofas for a senior environment. We hope you find what you aim for.