Furniture for Seniors – At Home or Assisted Living

• Seek armrests - Buy dining chairs with armrests to provide seniors with additional support and stability, ultimately aiding in easier sitting and standing. 
   
• Ensure that the chairs can be pushed almost entirely underneath the table top - Chairs that jut outward from the table can become tripping hazards. 
   
• Avoid seating that is too low - The lower the chair, the harder it will be for seniors to get in and out of it. This means that the much beloved Adirondack chair is unfortunately a no-no.
   
• Embrace higher back seats - Ergonomic furniture design is beneficial regardless of age, but seniors will particularly appreciate the support and stability that come with higher backs.
   
• Avoid bar stools - Seniors and assisted living facilities should steer clear bar stools due to their high height, which can increase the risk of falls and make it challenging for individuals with mobility issues to sit and stand safely.
   
• Give preference to materials that are easy to clean - Some materials are naturally easier to clean than others. Do yourself a favor and opt for leather or fabrics that are inherently stain-resistant. 
   
• Senior-friendly furniture does not swivel - Not only can this make getting in or out more complicated, but it can be unsafe if used for support.

We encourage you to read Finding the Right-Sized Dining Table Proportionate to the Room for detailed guidance on choosing the dimensions of a table. When considering the provided advice, remember that seniors’ homes and assisted living communities will benefit from extra space between the table and other furniture and walls. This will make room for mobility devices like wheelchairs or walkers, as well as lessen the likelihood of tripping over chairs left askance.

While there is no “wrong” type of table for assisted living facilities and seniors’ homes, the following design features may prove particularly practical:

• Pedestal-based tables - Tables with centrally located support (rather than corner-based legs) are especially compatible with wheelchairs. 
   
• Minimize sharp corners - While crisp, angular edges may feel modern, they can be particularly hazardous if seniors fall. For this reason, assisted living facilities may appreciate round, oval, and boat-shaped tables. 
   
• Opt for authentic hardwood - There’s much to appreciate about genuine North American wood, particularly if protected with a high-quality varnish. Not only is it resistant against many scratches and bumps, but it also is difficult to jolt or knock over.

The foremost tip for choosing furniture for seniors is to opt for pieces that strike a balance in height, encouraging effortless movement in and out with minimal strain. Avoid bed frames that sit low to the ground or feature storage drawers positioned at the bottom, as these would necessitate seniors to bend over, potentially causing discomfort or inconvenience.

Seniors who would benefit from extra mobility assistance can add side rails to their existing bed frame, such as those exhibited here.

Another tip for senior-friendly furniture? Avoid bed frames that are harder to clean, such as those with upholstered frames.

When you fall, what’s the first thing you do? Reach out for something to grab onto! Seniors should opt for heavier furniture over lighter alternatives for this and similar reasons. Lithe pieces are more likely to shift position, collapse, splinter, or be overall flimsy, all of which can jeopardize safety.  

The upside of heavier furniture is also its downside—it’s hard to move. For this reason, seniors should opt for a furniture company that will not only deliver to the home, but complete the set-up exactly where the piece is intended to go. Good news, Countryside Amish Furniture does just this, all for a flat rate of $150 per order.

Our furniture delivery team has earned rave reviews from seniors and non-seniors alike for their customer-first mentality and reliability.

Common modifiable furniture seniors may appreciate include butterfly leaf tables and murphy beds. While the furniture pieces themselves should be heavy, the moving mechanisms should not cause any sort of physical strain that can cause injury. In fact, you should ideally be able to complete the required transition with a single hand. Subpar-quality pieces will often produce stiff, clumsy movements, making well-made furniture is always worth the investment.

Most seniors aren’t the primary caregivers to younger generations, leading to them downsizing rather than having to worry about excess rooms. With such a change, furniture that can help minimize clutter through added storage can become increasingly practical for older adults. This can include:

• Desks with built-in hutches, maximizing the use of vertical space
   
• Tables with cabinets built into the base
   
• Coffee tables with drawers  
   
• Benches with storage compartments in the seat

• Avoid putting anything important on top shelves that could cause seniors to stretch upward or put themselves in vicarious positions. 
   
• Steer away from textiles or textures that are difficult to clean or maintain. These can include velvet, embroidery, lace, and beaded upholstery. 
   
• Anchor furniture, particularly taller pieces, to prevent them from tipping and falling.
   
• Make sure to have a generous amount of space between furniture pieces to prevent seniors from having to “squeeze through”
   
• Don’t compromise on looks! Seniors appreciate the elegance of traditional furniture more than any other generation. Therefore, whether furnishing an assisted living facility or you’re redecorating your home, don’t cut corners in regards to elegance and construction quality.

Countryside Amish Furniture stands out as an exceptional choice for senior-friendly furniture due to its commitment to crafting authentic solid wood pieces. With reliable joinery techniques perfected by experienced Amish hands, our furniture provides the uncompromising stability older adults will appreciate. 

Plus, our diverse range of furniture designs caters to various tastes and preferences; whether you’re furnishing an assisted living facility or a newly purchased beach house, we’ll work closely with you to find the ideal aesthetic.