Designing for the Life Span Segment 4

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[D]

Slide 56 Content

The static geriatric chair has many versions in the marketplace. Many are not adequately designed to meet the needs of ambulatory older people with low strength. The chair pictured to the right...

Is only 15 inches from the floor to the leading edge with a deflection in the cushion of over 3 inches- making egress extremely difficult,
Has armrests placed well in back of the leading edge of the seat providing less than adequate support for egress,
Has numerous sharp edges that become dangerous protuberances for those elderly walking close or swinging the legs backward trying to egress the chair,
Has an extremely severe occluded angle and no support for the lumbar area,
Is covered in a vinyl that exacerbates the problem of hip rotation.

Narration of Slide 56

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Unfortunately, any manufacturer or distributor may refer to a chair as intended for older adults or as a "geriatric" chair. There are thousands of chair manufacturers - but very few who employ designers or seating and posture experts. Most chairs are copies of other chairs seen in or acquired from the marketplace. The chair in this slide is one such example. Found in a facility for the elderly, it is too low to the floor with armrests positioned in back of the leading edge. Egress from this chair for any adult is difficult and for an older person with moderate disability, extremely difficult or near impossible. Also note that American manufacturers use vinyl coverings rather than cloth to address incontinence issues. Scandinavian manufacturers utilize only cloth with a moisture barrier and impregnated with odor eliminating treatments.

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Designing for the Life Span Segment 4

Slide 56 of 78

Slide 56 Content

Narration of Slide 56