You need to do many readjustments to your lifestyle and home when you get older. Due to the natural age-related problems that crop up once in a while, one may need to be careful of how they lead their lives. The best place to start is at your home since it is where you will spend most of your time, especially after retirement. Homeowners and facilities providing assisted living services can use these tips to help them choose furniture:
1. Cost
Before you start window-shopping, do you have a preset budget? You do not need to break the bank despite the emphasis on purchasing quality furniture. Look at your finances and prioritize the furnishings that are most urgent. We often think that clearance sales are for junk stock; however, you can also get quality pieces.
2. Comfort
Comfort mainly applies to the chairs and bed. We mostly concentrate on fabric, color, and design, but comfort and support are essential things to look at while buying furniture in old age. Since they will spend most of your time at home, firm furniture will serve you better.
Soft furniture may seem like the best option, but they increase the struggle by making one sink in, making them hard to use, especially when sitting or standing. In addition, a sofa that has a backrest and armrest is ideal for seniors to help them relax. Throw pillows can also add to the comfort and offer great support when standing.
3. Accessibility
Accessibility is a top priority when choosing furniture since it helps maintain mobility. For example, low furniture may seem classy, but it would not be the best choice for seniors. They add to their distress when trying to get in and out of them. So, it would be ideal for getting furniture that does not force them to bend too low or reach out too high.
Suppose your elder is also using a wheelchair. In that case, they must also be able to traverse through the home without any difficulty and have supportive furniture probably with adjustable features which they can use comfortably when they need a change.
4. Easy to Maintain
Most youngsters find cleaning to be a frustrating chore, so you can imagine how much more stressful it can be for seniors. While your seniors may not refuse the furniture you have purchased, it is only fair that you buy furniture with durable but easy-to-clean fabric.
Furniture coated with synthetic materials such as microfiber and vinyl is easy to clean, requiring only soap and a damp towel. Alternatively, you can also buy some slipcovers for the furniture so that in case of any stained spills, they can be easily removed and washed.
5. Easy to Move
Seniors may not need to relocate often, but if the need arises, they should be able to move the furniture with ease into their new living space. Once in a while, they may also need to rearrange their homes; thus, easy-to-move furniture will help a great deal to help them move around with little or no help. The lesser the difficulty in moving the furniture, the better for them.
6. Color
When selecting furniture color for seniors, there is more to it than looking for furniture that blends with the floor and walls. That is ideal when shopping for a conventional home. However, for seniors, you must select colors that have a contrast due to their fading eyesight. Select colors that also improve the home’s ambiance. Furniture made from warm color shades such as gold, red, and yellow adds the spark you need.
7. Low-Tech Furniture
With the many innovations coming up, one may be tempted to choose flashy furniture with different buttons for various functions. The functions may range from making adjustments for height, headrest, armrest, etc. While some of these features may seem exciting to own, they may not be senior-friendly since most are not well-versed in technology. Furthermore, such furniture may confuse them even more, making their lives more stressful.
8. Size
You can avoid adding tripping hazards by avoiding the purchase of bulky furniture in a senior home. Small to medium-sized furniture is a good choice since it can fit comfortably in the living space, making seniors’ movement around the home more accessible and safer. Again, you can settle for less but multifunctional furniture that does not add clutter to the house.
9. Shop Together
It can feel great to surprise them, but if they have the strength to move around, why not shop with them? First, do window shopping in advance; then, once you identify the places you feel have the qualities you need, you can pick them up to do the final buy. Like you would shop for your furniture, let them sit or move them around to be sure. Doing so also makes them feel more appreciated since their personal preferences and style have been considered.
Using these tips will improve seniors’ lives significantly, more so by adding comfort and quality to their homes. Is there a better way to feel fulfilled than to see your senior smile?
About the Author
Jenn Walker is a freelance writer, blogger, dog-enthusiast, and avid beachgoer operating out of Southern New Jersey.
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