February 26, 2025 | Natalie Webber

What are the best chairs for the elderly?

If you’re searching for the best chairs for the elderly, you’re probably looking to find out what type of chair offers the most comfort and support for seniors who often have limited mobility.

This is a question we frequently get asked at Felgains and we’re very happy to give our best advice on this in this article.

What do elderly chairs need to provide?

1. Mobility Support

Aging has a significant effect on mobility, as muscles become weaker, joints stiffen and balance and co-ordination decline. When it comes to seating and chairs, limited mobility typically affects the ability to stand up and sit down. It can also affect a person’s ability to hold themselves in a good sitting posture. So, choosing a chair that offers appropriate mobility support for the individual is of paramount importance.

2. Comfort

Having a comfortable chair for the elderly is not just a luxury, it’s a necessity. Elderly people often sit for prolonged periods of time, and many live with painful conditions such as arthritis. A comfort-oriented chair design can help to alleviate pain rather than aggravate it.

3. Safety

Having limited mobility in older years can lead to risks to health and personal safety, such as an increased risk of falls and pressure sores. The right chair for the elderly should therefore help to prevent falls and pressure ulcers.

Important product features to consider in choosing the best chairs for the elderly

1. Seat Height

Getting the right seat height in a chair for the elderly should be your number one consideration. A senior’s feet should always maintain contact with the floor to help prevent risks to health such as falls and pressure sores. The seat height also plays an important part in how easy it is for a senior to stand up from a chair.

2. Backrest Support

A chair’s backrest should provide support for the entire spine including lumbar, upper back and neck support to prevent slumping. It should be stable and firm to promote a good sitting posture, with side wings and/or lateral supports to prevent leaning.

3. Seat Cushion

A chair’s seat cushion should offer support and comfort to an elderly person, including pressure relief if required. It should be soft enough for comfort and firm enough for support and easier standing.

Other factors like stability, supportive armrests and ease of cleaning should also be considered.

Best types of chair for elderly

1. High Seat Fireside Chairs

High Seat Fireside Chairs are armchairs with a wooden frame and elevated seat height which make them easier to stand up from than a traditional sofa, for example. They often have other mobility features built in, such as wooden handgrips and supportive, orthopaedic backrests.

A selection of the fireside chairs available from Felgains include:


Breydon Fireside Chair	Avon Fireside Chair

2. Riser Recliner Chairs

Riser Recliner Chairs take mobility support for the elderly to the next level by building in an electric lift function, which takes most of the physical effort out of standing up and sitting down. They also have an electric recline function so you can put your feet up or have a snooze!

A selection of the riser recliner chairs available from Felgains include:


Taylor Riser Recliner	Carey Riser Recliner Chair

Wondering whether a fireside chair or riser recliner chair is best for you?

We suggest reading the following articles as your next step to help you decide:

Fireside Chair vs Riser Recliner Chair: Pros and Cons

Benefits of Riser Recliner Chairs

Summary

I trust this short article has given you an introduction to the best types of chairs for the elderly, with further advice articles to read. If you’d like to discuss your needs with one of our expert advisors, please just get in touch.