Author Information
Shan Ni Li, National Taipei University of Technology, TaiwanTung-Ming Lee, National Taipei University of Technology, Taiwan
Abstract
Older adults often require additional support when performing daily activities such as standing up, sitting down, and posture transitions due to age-related declines in balance and muscle strength. However, the acceptance of medical-style handrails in residential environments remains low. In everyday life, older adults tend to intuitively rely on nearby household furniture as sources of support. This study employs scenario-based observation to examine the actual use of residential furniture as substitutes for handrail functions. The participants consisted of 5 older adults who were observed during sit-to-stand and posture transition activities in simulated daily living scenarios. The locations of support, types of furniture used, and modes of interaction were documented. In addition, expert questionnaire feedback was collected to evaluate the potential risks associated with using furniture as support. The results indicate that when performing sit-to-stand or posture transition activities near seating areas, older adults frequently used adjacent furniture, such as chair sides and table edges, as immediate support, thereby functioning similarly to handrails. These furniture elements were often selected due to their proximity and intuitive usability; however, their structural characteristics and dimensions are not specifically designed to provide support and may therefore pose potential safety risks. The findings reflect older adults’ real-life residential behaviors and may serve as preliminary references for future age-friendly residential space planning and furniture-integrated assistive design.
Paper Information
Conference: AGen2026Stream: Aging and Gerontology
This paper is part of the AGen2026 Conference Proceedings (View)
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To cite this article:
Li S., & Lee T. (2026) Analysis of Supportive Furniture Behaviors in Age-Friendly Residential Environments ISSN: 2432-4183 The Asian Conference on Aging & Gerontology 2026: Official Conference Proceedings (pp. 139-154) https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2432-4183.2026.11
To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2432-4183.2026.11
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