Free delivery on orders over £40, only £3.95 under £40
Free delivery on orders over £40, only £3.95 under £40
Welcome to our blog, your one-stop resource for news, features and resources for living life to the fullest. View our articles on the latest mobility products and features with disability bloggers.
Posted by Francis Whitehead on September 10, 2024
The living room is the heart of your home, where you spend most of your time relaxing, entertaining guests, or being with family. However, for individuals with disabilities, decreased mobility, or joint pain, trying to spend your relaxation time in comfort can present its own set of challenges. Simple activities such as sitting, adjusting your position or accessing the things you need might require extra effort or support.
This is why investing in the right living room aids can make a world of difference, and our Ultimate Buying Guide is here to help you make the best choices.
Living room aids are designed to enhance comfort, safety, and independence for individuals facing mobility or dexterity issues. These aids can assist with tasks such as sitting down, standing up, reaching for objects, and even adjusting your environment to suit your needs, making daily living more comfortable and enjoyable.
They can also be particularly beneficial for people living with:
Selecting the right living room aids begins with identifying the specific challenges you face in this space. Do you find it difficult to get up from your favourite chair due to limited strength or joint pain? Or perhaps you struggle to reach for items on shelves or need additional support to maintain your balance?
Rest assured, at Ability Superstore, we've carefully curated a range of living room aids with your needs in mind. Here are just a few options that may help enhance your comfort and independence.
Chair and carpet protectors are specially designed products that are placed on chairs, sofas, or floors to protect them from incontinence accidents or spillages. These protectors are usually waterproof and absorbent, ensuring that any liquid is contained and doesn't seep through to your furniture or carpet.
Dealing with incontinence can be challenging, but there are solutions to help protect your furniture and floors.
For example, WacMat carpet protectors are discrete, washable and 100% waterproof, available in many different colours to blend into your home. They come in dimensions of 60 x 85 cm, 85 x 120 cm and 85 x 150 cm.
As well as protecting carpets from accidents and spillages, chair protectors are also a great way of keeping furniture protected and dry. The Vida Washable Chair Pads have a waterproof backing and can absorb up to 1 litre of liquid easily.
Another item in our range are Kylie Chair Pads, available in blue, black, and pink.
Chair raisers are specially designed attachments that can be added to the legs of your chair to increase its height. This elevation can help individuals who have difficulty sitting down or standing up from lower chairs. Whether you have mobility issues or simply want to customize your seating experience, chair raisers can be a gamechanger.
If you want a stylish way to get in and out of chairs easily, these Bamberry Bamboo Furniture Raisers are a popular and affordable option. Its cube-shaped robust bamboo structure possesses a lot of strength and a low centre of gravity, easily fitting under chair legs for a 3.5cm increase in height.
Alternatively, Langham Linked Adjustable Chair Raisers work similarly but are linked together by slotted MDF straps for added security. The system is clamped in position with two wing nuts and the height is adjusted by inserting the blocks supplied. This allows the user to discover a configuration that works for them, compatible with many different types of chairs.
For larger items of furniture like sofas and settees, the Morris Settee Raiser is a discrete way of raising the height. The sturdy, high grade tubular frames are positioned at each end of the settee and screwed into place from underneath using the supplied screws.
For those that may struggle with lifting chairs to use these solutions, or cannot find assistance to do so, the Summit Seat Raiser is a great way of independently raising your seat. It is a white foam cushion that’s placed under your seat to offer a 10cm (4 inches) increase in height, without having to do any heavy lifting!
For getting in and out of chairs with ease, Chair Raisers are the way to go.
In the living room, you may spend most of your time sitting down watching one of your favourite programmes, but without the proper support for sitting in long periods, you may find yourself in discomfort.
When it comes to daily living aids, cushions and blankets play a crucial role in providing comfort and support. Let's explore some popular options.
A coccyx cushion is specially designed to relieve pressure on the tailbone while sitting. It helps alleviate discomfort and pain in the lower back and tailbone area. The ergonomic design of the cushion promotes proper posture and reduces strain on the spine.
This Deluxe Pressure Relief Orthopaedic Coccyx Cushion is a great example, with its unique design featuring a cut out shape to ventilate and prevent the build-up of pressure in the affected region. Additionally, the cover of the wheelchair cushion is machine washable, great for keeping clean and hygienic.
A coccyx wedge is a triangular-shaped cushion that tilts the pelvis forward, promoting a more natural spinal alignment. This can help reduce pressure on the lower back and coccyx, making it ideal for individuals who sit for extended periods.
This Harley 11° Coccyx Wedge is positioned at an angle that is scientifically proven to keep your pelvis at an optimal angle for your spine’s comfort, which is a huge factor in reducing pain associated with your coccyx.
Additionally, an Inflatable Foot Cushion is a versatile aid that can provide support and elevation for your feet. It helps improve circulation, reduce swelling, and relieve pressure on the legs and feet. It inflates in seconds and can be rolled up and attached to luggage straps or stored in a handbag when not in use
An ideal blanket is one that keeps you warm and comfortable, and the Lifemax Far Infrared Heated Lap Blanket does this in spades. As well as being a great way to stay warm in the living room, it also offers all the benefits of Far Infrared technology, which has been shown to improve circulation, relieve muscle pain and help rebuild injured tissue. Simply plug it in, adjust the temperature settings to your liking, and feel the cozy warmth envelop you in seconds. The soft and plush fabric adds an extra layer of comfort, making it the perfect companion for chilly evenings.
For optimal comfort when relaxing in your living room, our range of cushions and blankets have you covered.
If you’re sitting for prolonged periods of time, it’s important that you’re sitting on a chair that properly and comfortably supports your posture. This is where fireside chairs come in incredibly useful.
Fireside chairs are typically oversized, plush, and incredibly comfortable. They often feature high backs and deep seats, perfect for ensuring a good posture. The cozy design of these chairs creates a sense of warmth and relaxation, as well as being beneficial for your spinal health.
For example, this Extra Wide High Back Chair which is suitable for heavier users, has a built in lumbar support which offers increased comfort, varying in position according to the height of the backrest. There are two models available, one with wings and one without. The former provide increased head support if required.
The Queen Anne Chair is also a stunningly designed example, built for hours of comfortable relaxation. It features a fully sprung platform with a luxury tapered seat cushion along with cushioned armrests and fine fillings which provide additional comfort. It is available in many different colours and would make a welcome addition to any living room.
With a fireside chair in your home, as well as having a go-to spot for relaxation and comfort, you’ll also have peace of mind knowing your posture and back are fully supported.
The living room is home to lots of activities, whether it be reading, writing, doing crossword puzzles or using your laptop. Lap trays provide a flat surface for these activities, providing a much more safe and hygienic way of keeping everything you need in one place.
Luxury Lap Trays from Made in the Mill set the bar, with a wide range of prints, patterns, and authentic tweeds and tartans on both the surfaces and the bases. The base is a soft bean bag material, providing soft and comfortable cushioning between you and your belongings. Having your lunch or some tea and toast has never been more comfortable with luxury lap trays.
For a stylish way of doing your daily activities in comfort, lap trays are a brilliant solution.
When it comes to creating a safe living environment, proper lighting is essential. Studies show that poor lighting is a leading cause of accidents in the home, especially among older adults. Insufficient lighting can make it difficult to see obstacles and navigate the space, increasing the risk of falls and other injuries. By ensuring adequate lighting in your living room, you can create a safer environment for yourself and your loved ones.
One effective way to enhance lighting in the living room is to use task lighting. Task lighting, such as table lamps and floor lamps, can provide focused illumination for reading, crafting, or other activities.
Lifemax offer both a High Vision LED Desk Light that clamps to any desk surface, as well as a large floor light. These both have flexible necks, meaning you can position the lamp to make sure that the light is always shining from the best direction and angle for you, be it next to your favourite armchair for reading the newspaper or on your desk for studying.
Another aid that can improve lighting in the living room is the use of motion sensor lights. These lights automatically turn on when they detect movement, making it easier to navigate the space, especially at night. Motion sensor lights are particularly useful in hallways, staircases, and other high-traffic areas.
The Get Up in the Night Light is exactly what its name is for, and provides light for when you wake up to a dark room. It allows you to use the bathroom in the night, without having to fumble about feeling for wall switches.
Remember, proper lighting is essential for your own personal safety but also plays a significant role in enhancing the aesthetics of your living room. By investing in the right lighting, you can create a well-lit and safe living space for you and your family to enjoy.
Over chair tables and trays are designed to provide a stable and adjustable surface that can be positioned over a chair or sofa. They typically feature a flat top surface, often with raised edges to prevent items from sliding off. Some models come with additional features such as adjustable height, tilt, or wheels for easy manoeuvrability.
Over chair tables and trays allow users to bring the surface closer to them, reducing the need to lean or stretch uncomfortably.
Our models of over chair tables come in either 2-wheeled or 4-wheeled configurations and can be adjusted from 52cm to 82cm in height. They can also be tilted up to 45 degrees to find the perfect angle for positioning.
If you find you need something to hold onto as you get in and out of a chair, the Stander Assist-A-Tray is an over chair table with a built in handle to use when raising or lowering yourself. The tray also includes a cup holder and an indented section for pens and similar items, which may otherwise roll off.
Overall, over chair tables and trays are a practical and functional addition to any living space. Whether you're looking to enhance your comfort or increase your convenience, these versatile pieces of furniture can help you make the most of your daily activities.
Riser recliner chairs are a popular choice for individuals looking to improve their comfort and mobility at home. These specialized chairs offer a range of benefits that can enhance the quality of life for those with mobility issues or limited mobility.
One of the key benefits of riser recliner chairs is their ability to assist individuals in standing up and sitting down. The built-in lifting mechanism gently tilts the chair forward to help the user stand up with ease. This can be particularly helpful for individuals with mobility issues or those recovering from surgery.
Our Cansfield Rise and Recliner Chair is available in 3 stylish colours and includes side pockets for handy storage of TV remotes and magazines. The lifting and tilting function is easily controlled by an easy 2-button control handset.
Another example, the Chicago Anti-Microbial Rise & Recline Chair features anti-microbial PVC fabric which helps to minimise the build-up of harmful bacteria such as MRSA and is easy to wipe clean for improved infection and hygiene control.
Overall, riser recliner chairs offer a range of benefits that can improve comfort, mobility, and independence for individuals with limited mobility. Whether you're recovering from surgery, dealing with a chronic condition, or simply looking for a more comfortable seating option, a riser recliner chair could be a valuable addition to your home.
In conclusion, there is a plethora of ways to ensure your safety, comfort and independence when in the living room. The important thing to know is which ones are best suited to your individual needs.
Everything you’ve seen here is available here on our website, and if you have any questions about any products featured please feel free to get in touch. We will be more than happy to guide you in the right direction! With our team of experts, you can be sure to receive trustworthy experience and guidance.
You can view the whole collection here.
Kate Makin qualified as an occupational therapist (OT) in 2001 with a BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy. She is a member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT).
As a registered occupational therapist (OT), Kate is a science degree-based, health and social care professional, taking a “whole person” approach to both physical and mental health and wellbeing. This enables individuals, of all ages, to achieve their full potential and lead as independent life as possible.
For Kate’s registration with the Health and Care Professions Council, click here.
Throughout her career, Kate has worked in many different clinical settings, in both the public and private sector. Kate has been running her own independent occupational therapist business since 2009. She is passionate about disability aids and adaptations, with a specialist interest in postural management and seating.
