The Importance of Good Chair Posture For the Elderly

After a long day, the top item on your to-do list is probably slouching infront of the television. However, bad chair posture can lead to a number of problems: especially among elderly people. That’s why choosing the right chair is so important, but which type of chair is best and what are the common problems associated with poor posture? The team at Ideas in Action are here to help!

What Are the Problems of Poor Chair Posture in the Elderly?

A recent NHS study found that people over the age of 65 spend an average of 10 hours a day sitting down, making them one of the most sedentary demographics. When sitting for that length of time, it’s crucial to use a chair that encourages good posture. Poor chair posture can lead to a range of serious health issues:

• Poor chair posture puts pressure on the joints and muscles in your spine, causing pain over time. In more severe situations, this can even result in osteoarthritis.
• Pressure ulcers can form if you’re sat stationary for too long. A chair that makes it hard to change positions only exacerbates the situation.
• When you slouch, it compresses your digestive system. This can inhibit digestion, causing heartburn and acid reflux.
• Bad posture puts additional weight upon the bladder, weakening it and increasing the likelihood of incontinence.
• Hunching over in your seat can cause breathing problems by restricting lung capacity.

How Does a Riser Recliner Work?

Having a chair that supports good posture is essential to improving comfort in the elderly, and a riser recliner does just that. It is plugged into the mains and operated by a simple hand-held control. When in use, the motorised engines push the back of the chair upwards to assist you in rising unaided. It also reclines backwards and has an adjustable footrest to offer additional leg support.

How Can a Riser Recliner Help to Improve Sitting Posture?

Riser recliners are specifically designed for comfort and to improve posture. This isn’t just a seat, it’s healthcare. The lift and recline functions discourage the user from sitting in a stationary position: a crucial way to prevent pressure ulcers forming. The lumbar support also puts the spine into a neutral position, which alleviates pressure to reduce back ache. 

Riser recliners have a footrest to elevate the legs; this is extremely beneficial for those who suffer from swelling or water retention. For those who struggle to rise unaided, the lift function helps to gently raise the user to a standing position. This feature promotes movement and independence and means those who are less mobile are no longer reliant on assistance from others to get up out of their chair.

 

Sitting becomes a larger part of life when you get older and less mobile, and that’s why we aim to make it as comfortable as possible. At Ideas in Action, we stock a huge range of riser recliners to suit all needs and budgets. We are based in Birmingham and have been serving communities across the West Midlands for the last 40 years.

For more information or to speak to one of our trusted mobility experts, contact us today.