Smart Senior

You are officially “older” when you, or someone near and dear to you, starts having trouble getting into and out of chairs. At home you/they can distract everyone with conversation or laughter, but when you upend a table at a restaurant it is downright embarrassing.
You are already doing exercises to strengthen your leg muscles, but that might not be enough. A few pieces of carefully selected furniture could make a difference. Don’t panic, but don’t wait too long. You may not be ready for a recliner-lift chair yet, but you need to explore some options.
Think about it. You can fall down just reaching for a newspaper. You can slide off the edge of a slippery couch or a soft mattress. You can fall the next time you grab a rickety table to steady yourself, or you can hurt yourself bumping against an end table that has sharp edges. There are dozens of hazards right there in your own home.
Changes to your home should be the next logical step. Safety and comfort are essential and well worth the effort. Shop with family or friends. Do not order on-line and do not ask others to shop for you; you need to go along to give each considered item a “test drive.”
Grab bars and raised toilet seats are important, but today we are looking at furniture. The biggies, of course, are chairs, couches and a bed that you can easily get into and out of. Your feet must reach the floor when sitting and you have to be able to get in and out/ or on and off unassisted.
You are officially past the age of beanbag chairs and overstuffed cushions. You want well-constructed furniture that will meet your physical and medical needs. No slippery vinyl and no more plastic slipcovers. You can buy fabrics that are both attractive and easy to clean.
You may be attached to grandpa’s horsehair sofa, but this is not the time to let fond memories sabotage your quest for independent living.