Buying Furniture for the Elderly with Special Needs

If you are challenged with buying furniture for an elderlyjust because you happen to like it. If you are
person, there are a few things you should keep in mindincorporating this furniture into your living quarters, and
as you start your search.you and the elderly person who will be sharing your
First, how is that person's health and physicalspace disagree on furniture tastes, do your best to get
condition? Can he or she easily rise from and sit downthe new furniture in a complementary shade or fabric.
into a chair? If not, furniture with special options areIt doesn't have to be an exact match. Use a solid blue
available. The seats of chairs and recliners rise to alift chair to coordinate with your blue, burgundy and
higher level with the push of a button. The elderlygreen floral sofa and loveseat. Make every effort to
person can simply back against it, then lower himselfrespect his or her taste while accommodating any
down to a seated position by pushing another button.special needs.
Furniture technology is great!If you are buying furniture for an elderly or special
Another thing to consider when picking out furniture forneeds person, ask questions of your furniture rep. Tell
an elderly person is the fabric or upholstery on thethem about your special needs and concerns. Furniture
item. If the elderly person tends to slide out of seatingsales reps are trained to help you fill your needs. If
easily, a couch with a slick leather upholstery might notyour local furniture store doesn't carry what you need,
be as good a choice as one with a textured fabric.chances are the salesperson can refer you to a
The texture of the fabric can help prevent slipping outwebsite or medical supply store that does. If ordering
of the seating.furniture from a website, be sure you know all the
Make sure the furniture you pick out for an elderlyshipping and handling costs up front. Also, find out
person is easy to clean. If they have other healthwarranty information. Don't overlook medical supply
issues that might mean occasional soiling of thestores in your furniture quest. In addition to medical
furniture, they will need to be able to clean it quicklynecessities such as oxygen tanks, portable toilets and
and thoroughly.wheelchairs, many carry furniture items like lift chairs
Most important when buying furniture for an elderlyand recliners that can greatly improve comfort and
person is to remember that even though his or herquality of life.
eyesight might be a little less than it once was, theIf at all possible, take the elderly person you are buying
furniture should still be appealing to his or her taste. Iffurniture for on your shopping trip. Ask for input. This
your grandfather hates floral fabric, don't buy him awill insure your furniture purchase is one you'll be happy
room full of furniture with huge magnolia blossoms on itwith for a long time.