In aged care facilities, one particular piece of furniture that has been gaining popularity is the high-back chairs. This popularity isn't without reasons, though - A high-back chair offers more support to various body parts such as the head, neck, and back areas when compared with traditional chairs.
This added support & a higher level of comfort could be really essential for the elderly with chronic pain or mobility issues. However, the right type of high-back chairs are needed to ensure that residents of aged care facilities can enjoy all of these benefits!
That's why today, we will take a closer look at what is a high-back chair along with all the important considerations for choosing the right high-back chair!
What Is A High Back Chair?
A high-back chair is basically an armchair with a higher backrest as compared to normal armchairs. In addition, the armrests of a high-back chair are also slightly elevated to provide more stability & support to the arms.
This design makes the high-back chair ideal for the elderly and individuals who experience mobility issues or need more support for the arms and the backside.
The higher backside provides support to the entire spinal cord along with the neck & the head. As a result, the elderly can experience full backside comfort & support, which helps to keep the pain & discomfort away.
Another benefit of the high-back chairs is that they promote mobility due to their slightly elevated armrests. This enables the elderly to stand up from a sitting position easily.Similarly, it also enables individuals to easily sit down by holding the armrests.
Why High Back Chairs Are Important For Seniors?
Mobility & balance issues are pretty common in seniors... This can significantly increase the chances of accidents and falls & thus puts the seniors' well-being at risk. A simple solution to all of these problems is the high back chairs, which provide full back support and also assist the elderly while sitting down or standing up. To put it simply, a high-back chair promotes mobility & provides much-needed support to the back side. It also lowers the chances of accidental falls that can arise while sitting down or standing up from a chair. In addition, high-back chairs can also help individuals dealing with back pain, neck pain, or arm pain. Normally, a good high-back chair usually has ample padding on the backside to provide superior comfort as compared to traditional armchairs.
5 Tips for Choosing the Right High-Back Chair
When it comes to choosing the right high-back chair for aged care homes or assisted living facilities, several factors need to be considered. But you don't have to worry, as we will share 5 tips to help you pick the right type of high-back chair that can improve the well-being of seniors:
1. Comfort
Even adults can experience discomfort when they sit in an armchair for an extended period of time. And when it comes to adults, the need for comfort becomes even more paramount as they also have to deal with back pain, neck pain, arthritis, & other health issues.
So, the most significant factor that should be considered in a high-back chair is the level of comfort it offers. Start by looking at the cushioning/padding present on the seat and the backrest.
Also, inquire about the quality of the cushioning used in the chair, as that's also an important factor to consider. Ideally, you should look for high-density foam as it is more durable & comfortable than other types.
Furthermore, the foam should be of medium hardness to strike a balance between too soft and too hard. A cushioning that's too soft will sink when someone sits on the chair & make it difficult for seniors to get out of it! On the contrary, too-hard cushioning can give rise to pain in different parts of the body & will lead to discomfort instead of comfort!
2. Safety
In aged care facilities, safety is always a top priority, which means it shouldn't be ignored when choosing high-back chairs. A good high-back chair should be built with sturdy & solid material to ensure that the chair doesn't break down from excessive usage. Also, it is best to avoid wooden chairs as they carry various risks - From wood splinters to nails that are used in different parts of the chair. A far better option is metallic chairs or wood grain metal chairs, as their parts are welded together. This completely removes the risks normally associated with wooden chairs. Additionally, high-back chairs should also have a sturdy base and anti-slipping features to prevent slipping or tipping. And last but not least, the surface of the high-back chairs should promote easy maintenance. Once again, metallic or wood grain high-back chairs are better as they can be easily cleaned and sanitized.
3. Durability
The decision to buy high-back chairs for an aged care facility should be considered a long-term investment. If you think about it, no assisted care facility would want to buy furniture that will break down or need repairs after a few years of usage.
So, the next consideration that should be kept in mind is to focus on durability. That's why it is best to opt for a commercial-grade high-back armchair that is built with durable materials like steel or aluminum.
While you are at it, also inquire about the thickness of the metal used in the construction of the chairs. A general rule of thumb is that the chair frame should be built with thick metallic tubes to promise a higher degree of durability.
On the contrary, high-back chairs made of wood or plastic should be avoided as these materials are not exactly built to withstand heavy usage.
At Yumeya, we make no compromise on durability when it comes to our high-back armchairs. That's why our high-back chairs are used in aged care facilities throughout the world!
4. Upholstery Fabric
What type of fabric is used on the high-back armchair? That's an important consideration, as the upholstery fabric makes up the physical appearance of the chair.
For a senior living community, the high-back chairs should feature an easy-to-clean and stain-resistant fabric. This will make it easy for the staff members to uphold a higher standard of hygiene while also lowering the risks of bacterial & fungal infections.
Materials such as vinyl, polyurethane, and vinyl (leather style) are usually best for the high-back chairs. However, you can always inquire the chairs supplier about what materials they use in their chairs and how it can benefit the seniors living in the aged care facilities.
5. Style
Comfort, durability, & safety are important considerations for high-back chairs without any doubt. However, focusing entirely on these factors doesn't mean you should pay no attention to the physical appearance & the style of the high-back chairs!
No one said that aged care facilities should look bland and dull... On the contrary, aged care facilities are specially designed to create a warm, inviting, & lively atmosphere. This is done to improve the mental well-being of the residents, which also leads to better physical health.
So, if you need high-back chairs for the living area, consider the overall atmosphere and the decor requirements before making a decision on a particular style. Similarly, if you need dining chairs for the senior living center, remember to pick a style that complements the ambiance and the overall decor.
Conclusion
In conclusion, high-back chairs play a crucial role in enhancing the well-being of seniors in aged care facilities. They offer comfort, safety, and durability, making them a valuable investment. Yumeya Furniture, a renowned manufacturer, prioritizes these factors in their high-back chairs, ensuring they are an excellent choice for enhancing the comfort and safety of seniors in aged care settings. So, if you are looking for high-back chairs for seniors, contact us today to discuss your requirements.
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