Seating - Adapting Chairs & Sofas

Seating - Adapting Chairs & Sofas

Extra Cushions for Sofas & Chairs
•	Use additional seat cushions with no-slip liners
•	Check for side arms high enough to be used for pushing off after the cushion is added
For Sofas
•	Add riser blocks under legs

For Chairs
•	Risers could be unsafe
•	Consider a new chair
Consumer Guide
Safety Wise! Transfer Handles for Sofas & Chairs

Safety Wise! Transfer Handles for Sofas

We tested this transfer cane handle that is advertised to help a person rise from a couch or a chair. Even after following all instructions (e.g., placing the sofa legs on the black plates), the cane/handle was very wobbly - our test model actually swayed a whopping 3 inches to the left and right, making it very unsteady.

We spoke to the manufacturer's rep who stated that it did have a "bit of give", but the engineering department later confirmed that 3 inches of sway is standard. We think this product could be unsafe for use, especially for the dementia population. When the handle sways, the person could

Lose their balance and fall
Become agitated, fearing a fall.

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Narration

If the current chair or sofa is too low, you may be able to adapt the seating so it's easier to get up from, as you can see in this photograph, depending on the person's remaining strength and balance.

To raise the seat height of a sofa or chair, try adding an extra seat cushion – consider a firmer cushion for extra support. Make sure to use a no-slip liner so the cushion doesn't slip off when the person gets up. This solution works best on seating with relatively high side arms, since the addition of an extra cushion can make the side arms too low for use in pushing off to stand up.

Or, for a sofa, you may want to try placing risers under the legs. Most risers are made out of a high strength plastic, and are available in a variety of heights, from 2 to 5 inches, allowing for a "custom fit."

If you're considering risers for a chair, you need to be cautious. As most risers are not attached to the foot of the chair, they could slip out and cause the chair to tip over. See our Consumer Guide for more information. A new chair that is more suited to the person's current needs may be your safest bet. You can print out the dimensions of an Easy Transfer Chair featured in this section and bring a tape measure with you when you go shopping in your local furniture store.