Top Considerations When Selecting Senior Living Chairs for Elderly Communities

In an elderly care community, chairs take center stage as seniors spend a great deal of time sitting down. This means an uncomfortable chair can open the doors to muscle aches, back pain, poor posture and a host of other problems! However, comfort is just one of the key considerations when selecting chairs for the elderly. Other factors, such as safety, are also paramount, as even the simple actions of sitting down or standing up from a chair can lead to accidental falls/injuries in seniors with mobility issues.

If you consider these two factors (comfort & safety) & forget about others, it could also make the lives of seniors difficult rather than making it better & easier!

So what's the solution? The key is to find chairs that are specifically built for senior living communities. That's the only way to ensure the well-being of seniors as they enjoy the golden years of their lives.

In today's blog post, we will look at the top considerations for selecting senior living chairs that are built to enhance the senior's quality of life:

Durability

Assisted living chairs go through extensive wear & tear at the senior living communities. After all, the elderly usually spend a great deal of time sitting down as they socialize, eat food, enjoy a drink, or even watch the TV!

That's why it is important to always look at the durability & stability when choosing assisted living chairs. But what makes a chair durable? It all starts with the material used to create the chair frame.

These days, a lot of innovative materials are used to make chairs, but the three popular options include wood, plastic and metal.

Wood & Plastic = Not Suitable For Senior Living Environment

In a senior living environment, it is not ideal to use wooden or plastic chairs. The wooden chairs, in particular, may look pleasing to the eyes, but they lack the durability needed in a busy environment like elderly care communities.

Some of the common issues with wooden chairs include swelling, warping, decay, joint weakness and even insect manifestation.

Similarly, plastic chairs also come with their fair share of drawbacks, such as cracking, warpage, staining, fading, and brittleness.

Metal Chairs - A Great Choice

However, metal chairs are the ideal option for a senior living community as they don't have any of these drawbacks at all. In fact, metal chairs are known for fire resistance, weather resistance, stability, and durability.

The second factor that contributes to the durability of assisted living chairs is the choice of high-quality fabric. The upholstery of senior living chairs goes through a lot from excessive wear & tear as seniors spend a great deal of time sitting down.

Additionally, upholstery fabric also faces the risks of accidental spills and stains, which can compromise the cleanliness & appearance of chairs.

A simple solution is to pick chairs that are made from stain-resistant fabrics to ensure the cleanliness & appearance of the chairs.

To conclude, look for the following factors in assisted living chairs to ensure durability:

· High-quality material (Metal)

· Stain Resistant Fabric

Stability

Stability is the second key consideration when selecting suitable assisted living chairs or senior living dining chairs. Let's face it: seniors need solid support as they sit down or get up from the chairs, which highlights the need for stability.

In fact, it wouldn't be wrong to say that the stability of a chair is directly tied to safety. A stable chair can greatly reduce the risk of tipping over or sliding, which helps lower the chances of accidents and falls.

The stability of a chair depends on multiple factors, but the most important ones are the design of the chair's frame & base.

A chair with a wide & sturdy base promotes stability even on slippery & uneven surfaces. Another benefit associated with chairs like these is a low center of gravity, which makes them less likely to fall or tip over.

The material used in the chair's frame also determines stability, which makes it a key consideration! Once again, picking chairs made with high-quality materials such as aluminum or stainless steel can be a great choice to promote stability in senior living environments.

One common theme in the aluminum/stainless steel chairs is that they come with welded joints & connections, which enhances the structural integrity. As a result, the chair can remain stable even under heavy use.

Weather Resistance

The next key consideration is important but is usually overlooked by senior living centers. Yes, we are talking about chairs, which are weather-resistant.

It is normal to place chairs outdoors where they are exposed to sunlight, rain, & temperature fluctuations. Over time, this can accelerate the wear & deterioration of the chairs. A simple solution to avoid these problems & improve longevity is to pick weather-resistant chairs.

Metal chairs made from aluminum or stainless steel offer a higher degree of weather resistance than plastic or wood. In fact, the metal chairs are actually designed to withstand exposure to UV rays, moisture, & other harsh weather conditions.

In contrast, wood is not an ideal choice for outdoor chairs due to its susceptibility to moisture damage, warping, and rot when exposed to prolonged outdoor conditions.

So, make sure to pick weather-resistant chairs made from stainless steel or aluminum. This will free you from the worry of corrosion, rusting, or fading.

Comfort

Good posture is important for everyone, but it becomes an absolute necessity for seniors. Just like that, comfort is also something everyone seeks, but it has become more important for seniors!

A good way to promote comfort & good posture in senior living communities is to pick chairs built with sufficient & high-density foam.

From the angle between the seat & the backrest to the quality of foam used in the chair, everything is connected! Even if you miss a single thing, the chairs will no longer be comfortable for the seniors.

For seniors, it is best to pick chairs that have a backrest at around 90 degrees or slightly tilted towards the backside for optimal comfort.

Additionally, also look at the thickness and the quality of the foam used in the seats & backrest. You need chairs that have a sufficient thickness in order to prevent discomfort & body pain. At the same time, chairs should be made with new foam rather than recycled or low-quality foam to promote comfort.

Since we are talking about comfort, some types of chairs are more comfortable for seniors than others. For starters, a comfortable armchair for elderly also provides support for the arms as the seniors sit down to read a book or enjoy a meal. Additionally, comfortable armchairs provide support while sitting down and standing up.

Another good option is a high armchair for elderly, which provides a taller seat height for the elderly. A seat that is higher than what's normal makes sitting down and standing up easier. Especially for individuals with mobility issues or those who have difficulty getting in and out of lower seats, a high armchair provides an excellent seating solution.

More Considerations (Bonus)

Everyone likes something extra & this section delivers exactly that: A quick list of more factors that can help you pick the best chairs for senior living centers:

· Warranty - You need chairs that are covered under warranty to ensure that you're protected in case of any manufacturing defects or issues that may arise within the warranty period.

· Affordable - You need high-quality chairs, but that doesn't mean you should break the bank! Stay under your budget and find the most affordable option after looking through quotes from multiple suppliers.

· Easy Maintenance - You wouldn't want the staff to spend hours upon hours on the maintenance of the chairs. That's why it is best to pick chairs that offer easy maintenance.

· Style & Aesthetics - Go for chairs that are stylish yet also complement the overall decor & theme requirement of the senior living center. A stylish & good-looking chair can help you create a welcoming and comfortable environment for residents and visitors alike.

Where To Buy Best & Affordable Chairs For Seniors?

The best spot for seniors to buy high-quality & affordable chairs is Yumeya Furniture! Our chairs come with a 10-year warranty, durable materials, & comfort-focused designs!

And that's just the tip of the iceberg, as Yumeya's chairs for seniors are also known for their style, aesthetic, weather resistance & next-level stability!

So, if you need affordable yet high-quality chairs for the senior living center, contact our team of experts today!