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Posted by BaKare Beds on 13/09/2016

Choosing Furniture for Disabled Living

Choosing Furniture for Disabled Living

There are a huge list of health and safety concerns and injuries we, as carers, have to deal with on an on-going basis when caring for loved ones with disabilities. Here we wanted to share some of the ways furnishings and furniture can, and often should, be adapted to help prevent injury or to improve mobility. At an Independent Living Centre you can view and try a wide range of furniture and furnishing for disabled living including showers, chairs, beds, office equipment and star lifts.

Preventing Posture Problems

For people living with limited mobility, correct posture is of paramount concern. There are a variety of risks to be aware of here including back pain, neck pain, poor circulation and, according to a large number of studies, increased depression and anxiety.

Correct posture needs to be at the forefront of choosing furniture. If the person you are caring for displays any of these symptoms, then poor posture may be the cause.

Chairs should be chosen with posture retaining features such as sculpted backs for core body stability, variable seat angles or reclining functionality to ensure comfort at all times without causing posture problems.

Height adjustable and profiling beds should also be chosen carefully to ensure correct posture. Pressure relief mattresses can also be used to help decrease the risk of bed sores.

Assistive Furniture

Carers should promote mobility in those we look after whenever possible as it promotes better physical & psychological health. It also helps relieve aches, pains and encourages better muscle development. For many patients increasing mobility offers a greater degree of freedom to enjoy life.

When it comes to furniture there are plenty of adaptive designs that can improve mobility, such as those on offer from Bakare Beds, that feature a variety of mobility boosting features.

Recliner chairs and profiling beds with assist rails are the most common additions to furniture as these create strong stable platforms – allowing people cared for to raise themselves or provide a way to assist as you help them out of their chairs or beds. Chairs and other furniture can also be found at adjusted heights to make its use easier and to allow easy access for the disabled.

Decreasing Injury Risk

Finally, and most importantly, we want to do everything we can to decrease the risks of injury to those we care for. One of the most common problems is the risk of falls. This often causes injuries and can exacerbate existing, or create new, mobility issues. There are a number of furniture choices we can make to decrease the risk of injury.

Clean, smoothed edges should be present on all furniture. Rounded off edges on furniture greatly reduce the risks of injuries both from accidentally bumping furniture or from falls and slips. You can also purchase furniture with smooth “scoop” handles. These handles leave a flat surface on the furniture and are withdrawn into the furniture to avoid potential injuries.

Furniture should also be lowered to the correct heights for access and utility. Height adjustable beds lowered into the correct position make it easier for people to get in and out without risking injury. For people at risk of falling out of bed we recommend an extra low height bed along with a padded fall mat.

You may also want to consider using tough and padded furniture. This is reinforced and padded furniture designed specifically to be put under excessive wear and strain.

Don’t Forget Aesthetics

It is too easy to focus on the utility of furniture for the disabled but you should also consider the aesthetics. The Sensory Room is a good example of the therapeutic benefits of colour and design. When it comes to furniture there are a variety of colourful options to improve the look of a room if practicality isn’t the only consideration.


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