Specialist Seating and the Older Person

Who is classed as an “older person”?

The term “older person” can be used to describe an individual aged 65 and over¹.

There are now over 11.9 million older people in the UK². With ongoing advances in technology, healthcare and lifestyles, people in the UK are living longer than they might have in years gone by. In 2017, 18.2% of the UK population were aged 65 years and over, accounting for one in every five people; this proportion is projected to increase by a further 5.8 percentage points by 2037, with one in every four people aged 65 years and over³.

What can happen as we get older?

It is inevitable that with age comes an increased risk of illness and disability; an estimated 4 million older people in the UK live with a limiting longstanding condition, which equates to over 40% of all people aged 65 and over⁴. Frailty becomes more prevalent with age, affecting around 10% of those over 65⁵, increasing to around 65% of those aged 90 and above⁶. A staggering 73% of women and 78% of men aged between 65 and 74 in England are classed as overweight, obese or morbidly obese⁷.

How might posture be affected?

The older person can experience general weakness and fatigue, with or without an associated illness or disability. Frailty, which is characterised by a progressive decline in physical, mental and social functions⁸, can significantly exacerbate these problems resulting in pelvic instability and poor postural control as gravity takes hold. Gravity can pull them in to a slumped posture, often leaning to one side or sliding down the chair.

Common postural challenges observed in this client group include:

• Posterior pelvic tilt 
• Kyphosis 
• Windsweeping 
• Obesity can also affect an individual’s ability to achieve the optimum seated position as their body size and proportions influence their posture; consequently, they can be at an increased risk of immobility and pressure injury.

As a result of these postural challenges, an individual can experience discomfort, decreased physiological function, a decline in their health, and even isolation. They may suffer recurrent respiratory infections, digestive problems or complain of pain resulting in becoming confined to their bed.

What are the main seating considerations?

1. Comfort – comfort should be the main objective; if an individual isn’t comfortable then they may not use the chair regardless of the clinical benefits
2. Postural support – appropriate pelvic stability, along with foot and head support, is vital for social interaction and physiological function, including respiratory function, swallow ability and digestion
3. Pressure care – equal weight distribution over the maximum surface area possible is crucial for reducing the risk of pressure injuries; integrated pressure relieving systems and tilt-in-space can help redistribute pressure
4. Mobility and transfers – the chair must be compatible with the older persons mode of transferring; for example, the seat height must encourage a safe sit-to-stand or the chair dimensions must assist hoist transfers

How can CareFlex help?

It is vital that that an individual receives the required chair prescription at the right time to ensure optimum management, and even prevention, of problems in later life. This is where specialist seating can play a crucial role.

CareFlex seating comes with the WaterCell Technology pressure relieving system as standard. Our moderate and complex chairs offer tilt-in-space along with a range of postural management accessories. Adjustability and flexibility are also key features of our seating range, ensuring the chair can be set-up for the individual and can continue to meet any changing needs.

CareFlex specialist seating aims to:

• Promote comfort, relaxation and safety
• Prevent, delay or accommodate postural deterioration
• Enhance physiological functions
• Promote good health and wellbeing
• Improve engagement, interaction and social inclusion

Achieving these goals can help an older person live a healthier, independent and more active life.

We have an obligation as health and care professionals to provide holistic and comprehensive management of this ever increasing client groups’ needs to ensure quality of life, so why not start today by addressing any postural challenges you are currently presented with? Get in touch to book a free no obligation assessment.

References:

1. Age UK (2018) Later Life in the United Kingdom Available from: www.ageuk.org.uk/globalassets/age-uk/documents/reports-and-publications/later_life_uk_factsheet.pdf
2. Office for National Statistics (2018) Population Estimates for UK, England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland: Mid-2017 Available from: www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/datasets/populationestimatesforukenglandandwalesscotlandandnorthernireland
3. Office for National Statistics (2018) Overview of the UK population: November 2018 Available from: www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/articles/overviewoftheukpopulation/november2018
4. Office for National Statistics (2013) General health (General Lifestyle Survey Overview – a report on the 2011 General Lifestyle Survey) Available from: www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/personalandhouseholdfinances/incomeandwealth/compendium/generallifestylesurvey/2013-03-07/chapter7generalhealthgenerallifestylesurveyoverviewareportonthe2011generallifestylesurvey#long-standing-and-limiting-long-standing-illness-or-disability
5. Clegg A, Young J, Iliffe S, Rikkert MO, Rockwood K (2013) Frailty in elderly people The Lancet 381(9868):752-62
6. Gale CR, Cooper C, Sayer AA (2015) Prevalence of frailty and disability: findings from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing Age and Ageing 44(1):162-5
7. National Statistics (2018) The Health Survey for England 2017 Available from: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/health-survey-for-england/2017 Van Campen C (2011) Frail older persons in the Netherlands The Hague, Netherlands: The Netherlands Institute for Social Research