How to Seat Elderly Patients
Do you have an elderly client or family member who could benefit from improved seating? Quality clinical chairs for aged care, incorporating electric lift and riser recliner functions, provide essential support to ageing bodies.
A therapeutic chair can alleviate the discomfort associated with conditions like arthritis, and significantly improve the wellbeing of elderly patients with dementia.
Whether the patient lives at home or in an aged care facility, the first step is to Book a Free Seating Assessment.
Quality seating is an essential consideration when caring for the elderly, whether at home or chairs for aged care facilities.
As their mobility declines, many older individuals will spend the majority of their day seated. These extended periods of immobility can result in aches and pains, arthritis, back problems, postural issues, and other pressure injuries.
Too many residents of aged care facilities are slumped over their chairs, propped up by pillows, slouched to one side, or even falling out of their chairs.
We would never allow a baby, a child, or a young adult to maintain this posture.
So why is it so common in our elderly population? And what can we do about chairs for aged care?
Thankfully, there are solutions.
Older Australians (65+) are 8 times more likely to be hospitalised and 68 times more likely to die from a fall compared to those aged 15-64.1
Seating Matters chairs have been clinically proven to reduce the incidence of falls and sliding by 100%.
10.8% of older adults will have a pressure injury within the first 36 hours of hospital admission.2
Clinical studies demonstrate a 75% decrease in pressure injuries after swapping to a Seating Matters chair.
Elderly individuals are at a heightened risk of developing pressure injuries compared to younger adults. Several factors contribute to this increased risk, including age-related decreases in skin integrity, reduced mobility and prolonged immobility, decreased sensation in the extremities, conditions like dementia, and other underlying health concerns.
So, what can we do to help?
Seating Matters are on a mission to reduce the incidence of pressure injuries in aged care facilities. Clinical studies demonstrate a 75% decrease in pressure injuries after swapping to Seating Matters chairs for aged care. Further research highlights four key principles that, when collectively addressed, will ensure optimum pressure management. It is essential to consider all four of the below.
Reduce the pressure exerted at any one point by increasing an individual’s surface area contact with their chair. This can be achieved by ensuring and maintaining correct seat dimensions, including seat height, seat depth, seat width, foot plate height and foot plate angle.
Correct seating dimensions and adequate head, lateral and leg supports can help the elderly patient maintain a midline posture and manage the distribution of pressure thoughout their body.
Guidelines recommend that seated individuals are repositioned every 2 hours. This can increase blood flow and the amount of oxygen reaching the skin. Research shows that a 45-degree tilt can maximise the potential for significant blood flow increase and pressure reduction.
All Seating Matters chairs are crafted from Visco memory foam, coated in Dartex. This material allows elderly patients to comfortably sink into the foam, preventing the development of pressure injuries.
A medium to high risk memory foam cushion is also standard on all Seating Matters chairs. The cushion is removable to accommodate alternate cushions if required.
According to recent Australian studies:
10.8% of older adults (65+) had a pressure injury within the first 36 hours of hospital admission in Australia.3
5.9% of Australian aged care residents experienced one or more pressure injuries over a 3 month period (Jul-Sept 2023), a statistic that has remained unacceptably high over the last four years.4
Aged care residents who have pressure injuries and require hospitalisation contribute to the estimated AU $9.11 billion cost of pressure injuries in Australian public hospitals.4
Falls pose a significant risk to older Australians, including those in aged care facilities. They are the leading cause of both hospitalised injury and injury death among people aged 65 and over.1
Quality, clinical chairs for aged care – specifically designed for the individual – can play a significant role in reducing falls amongst older Australians.
Seating Matters chairs for aged care have been clinically proven to reduce the incidence of patient falls and sliding by 100%. This is achieved through the integration of features that are specifically designed by occupational therapists and aged care specialists. They include:
Elderly patients may fall or slide from their chair because of an incorrect back angle on the seat. All Seating Matters aged care chairs have an adjustable back angle recline, which can be altered and locked to the correct position.
Seating Matters riser recliner chairs for elderly patients can help the individual slowly come to a standing position whilst being fully supported.
Tilt in space is when the entire chair shifts in position on its frame as a single unit, while maintaining the angles of a patient’s hips, knees and angles. This can change their centre of gravity to improve positioning and reduce the risk of falls. It can also reduce agitation in elderly patients with neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s.
If the elderly patient has poor balance and head control, they may lean and fall to the side of their chair. Adjustable arm rests can help to mitigate this risk.
These adjustable features enable the individual to be fully loaded and supported in their chair, creating a stable base of support.
Adjustability of seat depth enables Seating Matters chairs to suit many different body shapes and users; an important feature in chairs for aged care and hospital settings.
All Seating Matters chairs for elderly patients can be custom designed for the individual, with additional adaptations, including lateral supports and seatbelts, as required. When it comes to chairs for aged care, safety is always of the utmost priority.
Falls account for 77% of injury hospitalisations in older Australians (aged 65+).1
Older Australians (65+) are 8 times as like to be hospitalised and 68 times as likely to die from a fall compared to those aged 15-64.1
$2.3 billion was spent on treating fall injuries in the 65+ population in 2019-2020.1
5 in 10 hospitalised falls occurred in the home, while 2 in 10 occurred in residential aged care facilities.1
Seating Matters chairs have been clinically proven to reduce the incidence of patient falls and sliding by 100%.
Seating Matters Atlanta and Sorrento chairs are the only chairs globally to be recognised with an international Dementia Product Accreditation. These two chairs are specifically designed by occupational therapists for individuals with dementia.
Why is this so important when it comes to seating for elderly patients and chairs for aged care facilities?
The statistics paint a clear picture.
While there is no cure for dementia, quality clinical seating or chairs for aged care can significantly improve the mental and physical wellbeing of elderly patients.
The right chair can provide comfort, improve mobility and independence, reduce the risk of falls, improve communication, and reduce agitation or stress in dementia patients. This means improved safety and ease of care for caregivers, nurses and staff.
The Seating Matters Sorrento and Atlanta chairs have been clinically proven to achieve positive outcomes for those living with dementia. Both chairs received their accreditation from the Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC) at the University of Stirling in 2023.
As of 2022, an estimated 401,300 Australians were living with dementia. This equates to 84 people per 1000 Australians aged 65 and over.5
With an ageing population, this number is expected to more than double to 849,200 people by 2058.5
Dementia is the second leading cause of death in Australia.5
When choosing the right chair for an elderly patient, it’s important to prioritise comfort, safety, accessibility and functionality. Key features to consider include:
You will find more detailed information about the questions to ask yourself when seating an elderly patient or relative here. This article has been written by world-renowned occupational therapist, Martina Tierney, who specialises in seating for elderly individuals.
There are several types of chairs designed specifically for the elderly to provide comfort, support, and assistance with mobility. These include:
Whether the elderly individual is at home or in an aged care facility, the best first step is to Book a Free Seating Assessment.
This personal approach involves testing the range of motion of a patient’s joints, understanding their specific cognitive, behavioural and psychological symptoms, and assessing the standards and impact of their current bed or chair.
On the basis of this assessment and any personal goals of the patient, their family and their care team, a specific Seating Matters chair will be recommended to meet their needs.
The best first step is to Book a Free Seating Assessment with a qualified Seating Matters Specialist. This can take place at the elderly individual’s home, at a hospital, or an aged care facility, at a time that suits them.
The patient will be offered a free chair trial, and our Seating Specialists can provide detailed information on how to arrange an extended hire or purchase.
The Seating Matters Milano, Atlanta, Sorrento and Bariatric Sorrento chairs were specifically designed for elderly patients.
Atlanta and Sorrento are the only chairs that have been globally recognised with an international Dementia Product Accreditation. Likewise, the Milano provides dignity, pressure care and comfort to elderly people with limited mobility, particularly those in aged care facilities.
These chairs for aged care are clinically proven to reduce the risk of pressure injuries and patient falls, while assisting with infection control and safe patient handling.
Atlanta is a safe, comfortable chair that provides dignity to elderly people at risk of falling or sliding. It has been designed for individuals with late stage dementia, and recognised with an International Dementia Product Accreditation. Atlanta sits low to the ground, is well padded, and very stable, with an integrated tilt and recline for pressure care and safety.
Specially designed for aged care facilities, the Milano caters to residents of all sizes, mobility levels and transfer methods, whether they can stand independently or require a full hoist. It offers high levels of pressure care, with a separate tilt in space, recline, elevating leg rest, and adjustability of seat width, depth and foot plate height. Milano is available in electric or manual operation.
The Bariatric Sorrento is a tilt in space bariatric chair on wheels, which can support patients up to 294kg. It has been designed to reduce the risk of injury to both the patient and the caregiver. Fully motorised to limit patient handling, the Bariatric Sorrento accommodates the user’s unique body shape, while limiting sliding and providing postural support.
Sorrento 2 helps elderly individuals needing high levels of pressure care, comfort and postural support. Being completely mobile and adjustable for different needs, the Sorrento 2 is suitable for both home and aged care environments. Features include an adjustable back recline, and a 30- or 45-degree tilt in space to improve posture and redistribute pressure.
This is the story of Margaret, an 81-year-old nursing home resident, who was at high risk of developing pressure injuries in her existing chair.
The Atlanta was customised specifically for her needs, enabling Margaret to maintain a midline position, reduce the swelling in her lower limbs, gain independence, and no longer rely on pain medication.
In this case study, we meet 94-year-old Rachel - an elderly patient who suffers from arthritis, requires significant assistance from caregivers, and has a history of falls. Rachel's existing chair, which was negatively impacting her day-to-day function, was replaced with the Monaco by Seating Matters.
We explore the functional and postural changes that resulted from this 'chair swap', and hear directly from both Rachel and her carers.
Valerie is an 86-year-old resident of an aged care facility. She has dementia, with limited mobility, social engagement or interaction. There were numerous issues with Valerie's existing chair, resulting in her spending much of the day slumped forward.
After assessing Valerie's needs, it was suggested that she try the Sorrento chair by Seating Matters. The difference was immediately apparent. From her posture, to pressure management, communication and independence, Valerie's life was completely turned around. This is her story.1. Australian Institute of Health & Welfare (2022)
Falls in older Australians aged 65 and over 2019-20 (aihw.gov.au)
2. Journal of Clinical Nursing (2019) “Pressure injury prevalence and predictors among older adults in the first 36 hours”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31216388/
3. Australian Institute of Health & Welfare (2023)
Residential Aged Care Quality Indicators — July to September 2023
4. International Journal of Nursing Studies (2020), “Pressure injuries in Australian Public Hospitals”
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0020748922000207
5. Australian Institute of Health & Welfare (2023)
Dementia in Australia
Seating Matters are changing the world of healthcare seating. We take pride in being at the forefront of seating research and innovation. We want to share our knowledge with the world to ensure no person has to face unnecessary discomfort or mortality.
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This practical guide by world-renowned OT, Martina Tierney will assist you in the prescription and use of therapeutic seating for patients with various conditions. It’s the best place to start.
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