Guide to Choosing High-Quality Fabrics for Elderly Care and Medical Furniture

In elderly care facilities and medical care centers, furniture is not merely decorative; it is an essential tool for ensuring comfort, safety, and hygiene. As people's expectations for elderly care and medical environments continue to rise, the performance of furniture fabrics has become a critical factor influencing overall experience and operational efficiency.

Although there are many types of elderly care furniture, practicality must be ensured during procurement. The following features can be used as a reference to select the most suitable furniture items:

Height  

When designing and selecting elderly care furniture, height must be considered from two perspectives. First, the frame height. Whether it is a sofa or a chair, a design with a higher ground clearance should be chosen. This reduces the resistance caused by inertia when standing up and prevents the ankles from being scraped during the support process. A seat surface that is too low not only increases leg strain but also makes it inconvenient for the elderly to sit down and stand up.

Second, the backrest height. A higher backrest provides effective support for the back and neck. If the backrest is too low, it is difficult to maintain a comfortable sitting posture and may increase the burden on the spine and neck, ensuring that the elderly receive stable support and a sense of security when sitting.

Stability

For the elderly, the process of standing up or sitting down often relies on furniture for support. Therefore, furniture must have sufficient stability and remain stationary even if the elderly person loses balance. Prioritize furniture with a fixed structure that is difficult to move.

Additionally, the frame structure must be sturdy and reliable; otherwise, it increases the risk of falls. For elderly individuals with limited mobility, the chair back or armrests are often used as support like a cane, so the load-bearing capacity and structural safety of the furniture are particularly critical.

Ergonomic Design

An ill-fitting chair, no matter how aesthetically pleasing, will feel unnatural when sitting. A comfortable seat cushion should provide support while allowing for natural movement when standing up. High-density foam cushions prevent the body from sinking in, reducing the difficulty of standing up, while also providing stable support for the lower back. Conversely, low-quality cushions may sag and deform over time, not only affecting comfort but also weakening support for the lower back. Seat depth (the front-to-back distance of the cushion) is also important. Furniture with larger dimensions typically has deeper cushions, which may seem spacious but can make it difficult for the elderly to sit down and stand up. A reasonable depth design strikes a balance between comfort and convenience.

Stackability

Stackable chairs offer a high degree of flexibility in terms of layout and storage at event venues. In nursing homes, elderly residents gather in the public hall almost every day to participate in various activities. Stackable chairs are not only easy to quickly adjust and clear away, but also save storage space when not in use, allowing nursing staff to devote more time and energy to caring for the elderly. This design combines functionality with operational efficiency and is a commonly used space optimisation solution in nursing homes.

Why is high-quality fabric so important?

In elderly care and medical furniture, fabric not only determines the appearance but also directly impacts the user experience, safety, and maintenance costs. High-performance fabrics are durable and easy to clean, capable of withstanding the rigorous demands of daily use in care facilities. These fabrics help prevent infections, reduce maintenance costs, and maintain the furniture's long-term aesthetics and functionality.

1. Durability, extending service life

Furniture in elderly care and medical facilities typically undergoes high-frequency use. High-quality elderly care fabrics must have a higher abrasion resistance rating, such as Martindale ≥ 50,000 cycles, demonstrating exceptional abrasion resistance and durability, making them suitable for heavy-duty commercial environments. These fabrics can withstand frequent friction and use while maintaining their appearance and showing no significant wear, significantly extending the lifespan of furniture, reducing replacement frequency, and effectively lowering long-term operational costs while ensuring the long-term stability and aesthetics of the furniture.

2. Easy to clean and stain-resistant

Whether it's food residue in elderly care dining areas or medications and bodily fluids in medical care zones, fabrics typically require waterproof and oil-resistant coatings to prevent contaminants from penetrating the fibers. A simple wipe is sufficient to maintain cleanliness, reducing the need for deep cleaning and labor costs. For care facilities, the waterproof, oil-resistant, and stain-resistant properties of fabrics can significantly reduce cleaning difficulty and frequency, maintain furniture hygiene, and minimize the risk of bacterial growth.

3. Comfort and Aesthetics, Enhancing Mood and Experience

Elderly care furniture fabrics must not only be durable and safe but also consider comfort for prolonged sitting or lying. Breathable fabrics with a soft texture help seniors stay relaxed. Additionally, warm colors and textures create a cozy atmosphere, helping seniors stabilize their mood and enhance their sense of well-being.

In 2025, Yumeya entered into a strategic partnership with Spradling, a globally renowned coated fabric brand. Since its establishment in 1959, Spradling has become a high-standard fabric brand widely adopted in international medical projects, thanks to its exceptional technology and superior American manufacturing standards. This collaboration marks Yumeya's further enhancement of its competitiveness in the medical and elderly care furniture sectors and its commitment to providing customers with higher-quality, more professional furniture solutions.

Antibacterial and mold-resistant: Spradling fabrics effectively prevent the accumulation of bacteria, mold, and spores, maintaining cleanliness and hygiene even in high-traffic elderly care and medical environments. They have a lifespan of up to 10 years, reducing maintenance and replacement frequency.

Durability: Passing the Sherwin-Williams 100,000-cycle test, these fabrics exhibit excellent resistance to scratching and tearing, capable of withstanding frequent use, extending furniture lifespan, and enhancing project competitiveness.

UV Resistance: Resists UV aging, maintaining vibrant colors even after prolonged UV disinfection, extending service life and reducing maintenance costs.

Easy Cleaning: Daily stains can be easily cleaned with a damp cloth or medical-grade cleaner, simplifying maintenance tasks.

Environmental Sustainability: Certified by GREENGUARD and SGS, free from harsh odors, and compliant with global environmental standards, ensuring user health and safety.

When selecting furniture suitable for elderly care and medical environments, fabric is one of the key considerations. Yumeya not only pursues high performance in materials but also integrates humanization and practicality into product design. In 2024, we launched an innovative concept specifically designed for elderly care facilities—ElderEase. This concept emphasizes providing seniors with a “comfortable” experience while reducing the workload of care staff. Around this concept, Yumeya has developed several flagship products tailored to elderly care scenarios, each designed with specific usage details in mind.

• M+ Mars 1687 Seating

The M+1687 series features modular innovation as its core highlight, offering flexible combinations from single chairs to two-seater and three-seater sofas to adapt to diverse spatial needs. Featuring a KD disassemblable structure, it facilitates transportation and installation, effectively reducing operational costs. Additionally, through a unified base frame and modular cushion design, it enhances overall spatial design consistency while providing efficient, coordinated furniture solutions for diverse settings such as restaurants, lounges, and guest rooms.

• Palace 5744 Seating

Features an adjustable seat cushion design for thorough cleaning and easy maintenance; removable chair covers allow for quick replacement, even when dealing with food residue or unexpected urine stains. Every detail reflects thoughtful design, balancing practicality and aesthetics to help create an efficient and clean elderly care environment.

• Holly 5760 Seating

Designed with both the convenience of the elderly and the operational needs of caregivers in mind. The backrest features specially designed handle holes for easy movement and quick setup; front casters make chair movement effortless, reducing the burden on caregivers.

Side spaces are reserved for cane storage, allowing seniors to store them safely upon returning home without tripping hazards; the overall design is sleek and elegant, combining functionality with aesthetics to suit various elderly care spaces.

• Madina 1708 Seating  

This metal wood grain swivel chair features a rotating base, enabling free movement when sitting down or standing up, reducing discomfort caused by body twisting. It can also be freely rotated while seated at a dining table, without being obstructed by table legs. The classic design combines practical functionality, offering the warmth of home while meeting the daily needs of the elderly, making it an ideal choice for enhancing the comfort and convenience of elderly care spaces.

Finally  

High-quality elderly care fabrics not only ensure the longevity of your elderly care project furniture but also serve as a crucial foundation for reducing operational costs, safeguarding user health, and enhancing the overall experience. If you are seeking elderly care and medical furniture solutions that combine durability, safety, and comfort, please contact us to request samples and customized recommendations, and let your space thrive with lasting vitality.