Ergonomics is one of the most overlooked (but vitally important) parts of everyday wellness.
It lays the foundation for comfort, independence and safety around the home.
Without it your mobility starts to decline. Pain gets worse. And your quality of life takes a hit.
But here’s the kicker…
Everyday ergonomics is:
- Free to start improving
- Easy to implement
…and can make an INSTANT impact on how comfortable and independent seniors feel around the house.
What you’re going to pick up:
- What Is Everyday Ergonomics?
- Why Easy Chairs For Seniors Matter More Than You Think
- The Top Ergonomic Features To Look For
- How To Set Up An Ergonomic Living Space
What Is Everyday Ergonomics?
Everyday ergonomics is the process of tailoring your living environment to fit the body’s natural needs.
Done correctly it allows seniors to live independently, stay pain-free and avoid preventable injuries. You can break this process down into two key parts:
- Supportive seating that properly aligns the spine, provides lumbar support and keeps you comfortable during long periods of sitting.
- Safe movement throughout the home. This includes optimising the layout, lighting and general accessibility of rooms.
Addressing both of these areas allows seniors to stay active, move around freely and take care of basic tasks without assistance.
Sounds important right?
Below is a breakdown of exactly what works when it comes to everyday ergonomics. (Plus how to start improving it today.)
Why Easy Chairs For Seniors Matter More Than You Think
Before jumping into the how. Let’s talk about why ergonomics matters so much.
Here’s the thing…
Most people assume how you move around the house doesn’t impact how you feel elsewhere. But when it comes to seniors, that couch they spend hours sitting on each day drastically affects their daily wellness.
Why?
Sitting in the wrong position for long periods of time causes back pain, poor circulation, stiffness. It can even increase fall risk.
A senior who struggles to sit down or stand up from their chair is already at a higher risk of falling.
Seniors who slouch in chairs with no back support are going to develop chronic pain.
And chairs that are too low or too soft make it feel IMPOSSIBLE to get up.
Recent studies show that ONE IN THREE adults over the age of 65 will suffer at least one fall per year.
Many of these falls occur around the home during basic movements. Like not being able to get up from a chair.
This is an issue that proper seating can help prevent.
Easy chairs for seniors should encourage good posture with firm support. They should have the correct seat height and armrests to help seniors safely sit down and stand back up. Statistics show that 40% of adults over 65 suffer from some limitation when it comes to walking and sitting.
Making choosing the right chair extremely important. It’s not just furniture, it’s therapy.
The Top Ergonomic Features To Look For
But how do you know which chair is right? Every chair looks like it provides support. How can you be sure?
Not all chairs are made equally. When it comes to finding the best easy chairs for seniors there are a few ergonomic features you should always look for.
Let’s dig in…
Chair Seat Height
Seat height is important for making sure a senior can safely stand up from their chair. The ideal height allows legs to rest flat on the floor with knees at 90 degrees.
Too low and your senior will struggle to stand.
Too high and it will cut circulation off at the thighs.
Lumbar Support
If a chair doesn’t have good lumbar support, your senior is going to slouch. And slouching isn’t just ugly, it leads to back pain.
A good ergonomic chair supports the natural curve of the spine. Preventing leaning and long-term pain.
Armrests
Armrests serve a purpose other than holding elbows. They are what seniors use to leverage their body weight when sitting down or standing back up.
Armrests should be sturdy, at the right height and wide enough to firmly grip.
Seat Depth
Coupled with seat height, you also want the seat depth to support proper spinal alignment.
The seat should allow your seniors back to rest fully against the chair with a small gap at the knees.
Materials
While not directly linked to ergonomics. Easy chairs for seniors should be made from materials that are easy to wipe down and clean.
Things will get spilled. Seniors will forget they’re wearing socks. Chairs will be dragged across floors.
Make sure the material can handle it!
How To Set Up An Ergonomic Living Space
Great chair picked out? Now it’s time to optimize the space around it.
Here are the biggest areas to focus on…
Lighting
Good lighting is critically important for seniors. Falls happen when something on the floor goes unseen. Make sure every room (especially hallways) is well lit.
Floor Space
Clear paths should be wide and free of clutter. Throw rugs, dangling cables and loose wires are huge fall risks. Eliminate them. Keep floors clear and movement easy.
Furniture Placement
Everything your senior needs should be within arm’s reach of their chair. Remotes, glasses, water. You get the idea.
By limiting how much they have to move around to complete simple tasks you limit fall risk.
Grab Rails And Support
Install grab rails next to chairs. In bathrooms. Along walls. Wherever seniors will benefit from the added support when moving around the house.
Ergonomics 101: it’s not about one piece of furniture.
It’s about creating a safe environment where everything works together to support the person living in it.
Wrapping Things Up
Everyday ergonomics is all about creating a living space that supports BOTH comfort and safety for seniors.
Three things that influence everyday ergonomics are:
- Seating
- Room layout
- Accessibility
Want to start improving the ergonomic value of your home?
Start with the chair. Not all chairs are made equal. By providing proper lumbar support and correcting seat height with sturdy armrests you’ll see an instant improvement in your seniors comfort. And level of independence.
But for the biggest impact take a look at their living space as a whole.
Little changes to lighting, movement around the home and furniture placement go a LONG way.
Ergonomics can be improved on budget. Start with the foundation and build from there.
Save this guide to your favorites for future reference and dive in today.
You’ve got this!