Russell, Laura J.

Texas A&amp;M Repository

FURNITURE FOR THE AGINGLaura J. RussellExtension Area Specialist - Housing and Home FurnishingsTexas A&M Un iversityL-816What Are the Needs of the Aging?The needs of the aging can be understoodmore readily by the five goals considered by them.1. To live as long as possible or until life'ssatisfactions no longer outweigh their privationsand burdens.2. To get more rest; to safeguard and protecttheir energies of a physical existence.3. To remain active in personal and grouproles to avoid complete idleness and indifference.4. To protect and strengthen long life ac-quired skills, possessions, rights, authorities, pres-tige, etc.5. To withdraw from life, without too muchsuffering, as honorably as possible.The needs of the aging, then, of planning furn-ishings for them is that they must be suitable forthese changing needs, yet not look changed forthem. The measure of a successful interior is thatit function well for them, yet appear to be aninterior for adults of any age.Furniture RequirementsThe frequent lack of provisions for furnishingsis partially due, not only to the lack of knowledgeabout specific requirements for the aging, but alsoto the great variety of products on the market.Since the market in recent years has focused onthe young, it is encouraging that the aging situa-tion is coming into focus by the National Associa-tion of Furniture Manufacturers. Thus, furniturefor the aging has become more attractive, yet func-tional, rather than the cold metal, "orthopedic"~ppearance enabling them to maintain mastery oftheir environment. The general considerationsand observations are:1. The aging spend more time in their homeenvironment than do younger adults.2. They use their furniture more frequentlyand for more purposes than younger adults.18.4Texas A&M University • Agricultural Extension Servlc3. Features essential to the well-being of theaging are also desirable to the people of all ages.• ease of maintenance• safety• comfort• mobility• economy• pleasing designFingertip-controlled powe1· seat to aid in standingand sitting. (Photo courtesy of Ortho-Kinetics Inc.,Waukesha, Wisconsin.)John E. Hutchison, Director • College Station4. The size and shape of furniture should bescaled to the aging person's living space require-ments.SeatingThe aging spend much of their time SittIngwhile performing work tasks, conversing, reading,viewing television and resting. Any chair or sofashould fit the person using it. The backs of chairsshould be designed to fit the curves of the back.Considerations essential to all chair design are:1. For health, comfort and the conservationof energy, body measurements should be utilizedto establish the dimensions and shape of a chairor sofa.• Seat height related to lower leg length• Seat depth related to upper leg length• Seat width related to hip spread• Shape and angle of chair seat confonnto body weight distribution• Height, curvature and angle of backrestrelated to curvature and length of spine• Armrests' position and dimension relatedto upper arm length2. The body action of sitting is the muscularsupport of the body weight of the trunk in anupright position with• Feet on the floor• No pressure behind the knees• Support at the lower back but less sup-port at the neckSitting action occurs at the hip and knee joints.• The lower the seat, the greater the flection• The height and resilience of the seat andbackrest may slow the downward and back-ward speed of the body• The height and resilience of armrests aidin slowing down the speed of the bodyRising action is leverage with muscular effort.• Feet are placed well under the body toaid forward springing action• Height, depth and tension of the seataffect the ease or difficulty in rising• The height and length of the annrestsaffect the leverage needed in rising.3. The essential characteristics of chairs forthe aging are:• Adjustability and flexibility to providesea ting for the large or small, short or tall,heavy or lightweight person, changing bodyneeds both forward or backward and up-ward or downward• Sturdiness, stability and mobility to givea sense of security and light-weight enoughto move for cleaning• Easy leverage• Rounded projections, adjustable annrests• Fireproof and nonallergenic materials• Stain resistance and easy cleanability4. The dimensions of side chairs vary accord-ing to style. The aging sit more erect and furtherback in side chairs than younger adults for dining,\'V"orking or writing.• Front of seat: 15Y2" to 17" height androunded• Seat slant: under Y2"• Seat depth: under 18"• Chairback: narrower than shoulders-top of back below shoulder blades• Width: normally 17" - 19"• Annrests: 18" to 19" apart• Height of ann: 7" to 7Y2"Chair for reading, relaxing and viewing tele-vision vary in dimensions, as:• Front of seat height: 13 Y2" to 15"• Seat slant: front to back 1Y2"• Seat depth: not more than 20", firmnesswith resilience• Seat width: wider than side chair• Chairback: provide a neck rest and ex-tend beyond the width of the shoulders• Arms: uncurved and high enough andforward enough for good leverageA rocker or recliner supports the body in theright places which provide relaxation.• Cane seated rocker with high back satis-factory for comfort and health without frontrockers protruding• Light-scaled models of recliners that tiltwith body pressureFootstools and ottomans for comfort requiresuch dimension, as:• Height not exceed 12"• Easily moved• Heavy or high ones are a safety hazardSurfaces - Tables and Desks1. Multi-purpose tables for eating, writing andworking serve other purposes for reading, serving,games, hobbies and storing and should have theseessentials:• Sturdiness and stability• Durability• Height related to chair seat height• Leg of table placed in extreme corners• Edges and corners rounded• Placed near a window for viewing• Placed in easy reach of a power outlet• Desk for writing or storage2. Occasional or side tables near a chair shouldbe:• Placed at elbow height for easy reach• Sturdy but light to move easily• Surface for lamp, ashtray, books, maga-zines and recrea tional materialsStorage1. Cabinets, chests, bookshelves and wall stor-age are needed to provide a place for:• Display and cherished possessions• Built-in shelves for books• Closets for clothes• General outside storage of bulky, seasonalitems• Storage as a means of personalizing theirenvironment more than any other element2. The essentials of good storage for the aginginclude:• Accessibility with shelf height not morethan 55"; lowest shelf not less than 16";and shelf depth not more than 12"Armless TOcker which has multi-use features fortasks. Swing-out drawer may be used for storingsewing a1-ticles) medicines) miscellaneous items.• Visibility of open shelves behind doors;easy visibility by natural or built-in light-ing; shallow drawers that glide easily; backsof doors utilized, with peg-board, etc.; andplastic trays with handles and smoothrounded corners• Flexibility of all shelves adjustable; andstorage pieces sturdy but easy to move• Privacy by having locked drawers or cabi-nets for money, valuables and personal be-longings; and doors on cabinets and closetsto operate easilySleeping1. The bed should be located for privacy, sep-arated from living and cooking areas and remainunmade if desired.2. Considerations for a bed for the agingshould include:• A head board and footboard extendingabout 12" above a mattress• A headboard to provide support for theback when sitting in bed• The top of the mattress 17" to 21" fromthe floor as related to the length of the legswhile sitting and dressing• A mobile one with castors easily brakedfrom a standing position• All corners rounded• Space enough at the headboard and foot-board to fold under linens and blankets• A regular-sized bed or larger• Adjustable feature for raIsIng or lower-ing the mattress at both the head and foot• A place to have a good view and spaceprovided for bedmaking• A mattress which is tuftless, damp-proof,water resistant, soil- and dust-resistant,flameproof, non-allergenic and easily venti-lated• A bed table or nightstand near withample surface for individual needs; a lampwith pushbutton switch; height of table 4"to 6" above top of the mattress; easy tomove but have castor locks; cantilevered andadjustable height placed over both bed andchair; and revolving storage shelvesAcknowledgmentsInformation adapted from research by Leo W.Simmons, Journal of Gerontol; Barbara Laging,University of Nebraska, and the National Councilon the Aging.Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, Texas A&M University and the United States Departmentof Agricuture cooperating Distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8, 1914, as amended, and June 30, 1914.10M-4-69

Furniture for the Aging.

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Furniture for the Aging.

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Furniture for the Aging.

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