Transform Your Community with Resident-Centered Furniture Solutions

Looking to create spaces that stand out and make a meaningful impact? Download our Senior Living Furniture Guide for tailored insights into furniture designed specifically for senior living environments. Discover room-by-room solutions that not only enhance comfort, safety, and style but also meet the unique needs of your residents and staff.

This guide provides expert recommendations on high-durability, easy-to-clean pieces that bring together functionality and aesthetics. Plus, with options like supportive armrests and mobility-friendly casters, you’ll find choices that promote resident independence and streamline staff workflow. Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your spaces and boost community appeal—download the guide today to start planning for a more engaging, efficient environment.

Top Senior Living Furniture in 2024

By The Yard Potting Table

Enhance gardening experiences in Senior Living communities with an innovative, portable, and wheelchair-accessible potting table. Thoughtfully designed for ease and convenience, it features handy holders on the top shelf and hooks along the side, keeping essential tools within easy reach. The large, removable bin for potting soil allows for simple cleaning, while the sliding tray above provides a comfortable space for potting plants. This versatile table also doubles as an entertainment station—just add a second bin for ice, and it becomes a great spot for beverages and salads during community gatherings. 

1. Assess and Plan ​

Start by evaluating your current furniture. Identify pieces that need replacing or refreshing, and consider how each piece fits within the overall design of the community. Make a list of what you need and prioritize based on importance and impact.

• The Skye Armchair is lightweight and crafted from highly weather-resistant N-Dura™ resin wicker for a classic and durable outdoor style. The chair’s wrought aluminum frame ensures stability and long-lasting beauty. This stackable armchair beautifully accessorizes a variety of wicker patio furniture sets.

3. Rethink Common Area Layouts to Create Conversational Areas

Rearrange furniture to create functional conversation zones whether by adding new furniture or repurposing existing ones. A simple shift can transform a room’s atmosphere. Take inspiration from the model created at Foulk Living as you consider new additions to your furniture:

• At Foulk Living in Wilmington, DE updated furniture designs, and a bistro helped rethink Senior Living with a focus on conversation and community gathering. “The residents love how bright the renovations make the community look. It’s much more homelike,” says Leslie Johnson, Executive Director, Foulk Living. “They love the colorful fun theme they went with. It matches our community’s vibe: ‘Foulk Living is Fun Living.’ The community is much more comfortable and elegant. Intimate conversation nooks created by small groupings of chairs and small tables helped create the sense of connection for residents and their families to gather.”
• Instead of adding single benches in corridors, consider two accent chairs and small table arrangement for impromptu and neighborly conversations. The Maxwell Thomas Edmonton Occasional Chair is a perfect scale and design to encourage those interactions. It’s modern styling and faux-wood metal frame offer superior durability.
• Decorative accent pieces also add a fresh look to an existing furniture grouping like The Maxwell Thomas® Bacolod Four Door Credenza. A credenza like this can be a true statement piece, designed to capture the eye and elevate any room. Offering both closed storage and ample surface for accessorizing, it’s placement can seamlessly unify a room.
• Transform your place with Savvy Spaces, our newest Common Area program that allows you to customize your favorite collections with a budget-friendly selection of fabrics and finishes, all in a simple 3-step process.

4. Paint a New Picture: Bring Your Common Area to Life With Photos and Artwork, Wall Colors and Refurbished Furnishings

Revitalize your Senior Living community with artwork and accessories to create a more vibrant and engaging environment. Consider these ideas:

• Upcycling is such a smart and eco-friendly approach! It’s incredible how a few updates can breathe new life into old pieces. Reupholstering dining chairs or sofas with fresh fabrics, or even just swapping out throw pillows, can dramatically change the look of your Senior Living community to reflect current design trends.
• Add locally inspired artwork and accessories to common areas. Thoughtfully chosen pieces, like framed photography of regional landmarks, not only elevate the design by adding texture and color, but also spark conversation, evoke memories, and offer a sense of connection, making the space more engaging and inviting for residents.

 5. Create Retreats Inside Resident Rooms

If your residents spend a lot of time in their rooms, it’s a good idea to make sure they’re as relaxing as possible. Whether that’s adding photos of family members or an extra-comfortable occasional chair, there are always ways to elevate the resident room.

If you’re in need of new case goods and the budget is tight, consider a collection that features cost-conscious thermolaminate, like the Maxwell Thomas® Williamsburg Collection. This collection features durable thermolaminate case goods that will stand up to the daily wear and tear in your community. Plus, this collection comes in a variety of finishes so you can create the look you want at the price point you need.

By focusing on thoughtful design, you can create a refreshed and functional environment that promotes comfort,  engagement and a sense of well-being for residents in your Senior Living community.

Top Senior Living Furniture in 2023

Holsag Palmanova Collection

The Holsag Palmanova Collection features a variety of benches, side chairs, arm chairs, barstools and counterstools. The Palmanova Dining Armchair, for example, brings elegant styling to any setting with its modern take on a minimalistic arm chair.

Featuring plush, foam padded seats and backs across the entire line, the Palmanova offers just as much comfort as it does style. The antimicrobial finish prevents the absorption of germs, bacteria, mold, mildew and some viruses.

Need help selecting the right décor? With our complimentary design services, our professional design consultants help to make the best choices for design and budget. Contact us today to get started.

Tip #1: Utilize Flexible Seating with Hospital Waiting Room Furniture

Giving patients a variety of seating options to choose from can help the medical office waiting room feel more welcoming. Flexible seating can be altered and rearranged to adapt the environment to the needs of each patient. In addition, staff have the ability to change the layout of the room for a fresh feel whenever needed.

Tip #2: Keep Your Hospital Waiting Room Clean and Sanitary

Keeping your waiting room space clean and sanitary is essential to provide a safe environment for both visitors and staff. Cleanliness prevents the spread of germs, diseases, and allergens while maintaining a pleasant atmosphere. Sanitizing surfaces regularly will help reduce the number of germs and bacteria present and protect everyone in the waiting room.

Strategies to help keep the waiting room clean:

• Air Purification System – Having an air purification system in your waiting area can help to decrease the likelihood of particles, bacteria and viruses from infesting the air. It’s important to keep both staff and patients safe during their time spent in this communal space. Products such as the Air Purifier True HEPA can remove 99.97% of particles, pollen and germs in the surrounding air.
• Hand Sanitizer Dispenser – Positioning hand sanitizer dispensers at the entryway and around the room keeps individuals safe from potential bacteria and viruses living on surfaces in the waiting room.

Tip #3: Incorporate A Wide Variety of Décor and Artwork In Your Hospital Waiting Area

Décor and artwork adds both aesthetic appeal and practicality to any waiting room. Artwork can help reduce stress by providing a distraction from the wait. Décor can provide additional functionality, creating a calming and welcoming atmosphere for everyone who visits.

Tip #4: Invest in Quality Medical Office Products to Increase Staff Productivity

Staff should feel supported and cared for in their work environment. Investing in high quality medical office products ensures that waiting room staff have access to all essential supplies necessary to run operations smoothly.

Hospital Waiting Room Solutions – A Space Everyone Can Enjoy

These simple tips for selecting hospital waiting room furniture can go a long way in creating a positive experience for patients, their families, and staff.  A comfortable medical office waiting room can help reduce stress and anxiety levels, making the entire visit more pleasant. This is especially important when dealing with those experiencing illness or chronic health conditions since they may already be overwhelmed. 

Prioritizing comfort in your hospital waiting room is critical to create a welcoming environment, ease tensions, and help individuals feel valued from the moment they step through the door. Improve patient satisfaction and increase staff productivity with these easy tips for choosing the best hospital waiting room furniture.

Roughly 33 million Americans have left their jobs since the spring of 2021, creating what is now known as “The Great Resignation”. To the Senior Living industry, which is still deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, this National labor shortage hits hard. Leveraging innovative technology solutions can help meet today’s top needs as an industry: occupancy recovery, staff efficiency and retention. Multiple technology solutions are available for every space in your community and will help create long term efficiencies and labor savings. 

Using Mobile Apps to Streamline Resident and Asset Awareness Can Reduce Labor Costs

Real-time location systems (RTLS) in healthcare increase visibility of the people and things that matter most, optimize workflow and capture relevant interaction data backed by location certainty. The advanced geolocation technology utilized by RTLS passively observes location changes within your building, promoting operational efficiency, assisting in contact tracing efforts, enabling emergency fall response and more.

In an effort to deliver true RTLS technology to Senior Living, CenTrak, a KLAS award winning Real-time location system for hospitals, developed a custom solution for Senior Living that merges transformative RTLS technology with affordability. CenTrak offers two mobile apps: TruView Alert Manager™ and the NEW TruFinder™. Not only can staff realize real-time efficiencies in their day-to-day workflow, communities can realize cost savings while deploying the latest in high-end technology. 

Learn how Real-Time Location Systems can boost safety and labor savings in your Memory Care, Assisted Living or Skilled Nursing Facility.

What benefits do Real-Time Location Systems offer?

RTLS technology is used to passively identify and locate people and assets throughout your community. This information is relayed directly to your staff’s mobile devices through the TruView™ software and TruFinder™ mobile applications, allowing your staff access to innovative resident and asset monitoring in real-time – making them more efficient and helping to lower staff burn-out. RTLS technology can also help with contact tracing and real-time reporting to boost labor savings. 

Technology Tip: The need to elevate safety for residents and staff has become even greater due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our industry. Communities have re-opened with a heightened need for effective resident, staff and visitor interaction management. Electronic visitor management and thermal temperature screening solutions have quickly become must-have technology to assist with the flow of visitors and guests, and RTLS is the key tool to bridge these tools with automation. Download our FREE Technology Trends eBook for more trends in senior care technology. 

How does the TruFinder™ mobile app work, and what are the benefits of this RTLS solution? 

“Our team seeks to ensure crucial programs at Senior Living communities are properly invested in and accessible, especially during these challenging times. The offerings within our mobile app will aid communities throughout their mission of continuously providing high-quality care and a safe environment. By using the app’s accurate Location Tracing Report, communities can conduct more informed risk assessments and implement quarantine protocols that won’t impede care. TruFinder™’s asset search and mobile system management capabilities enable resource-constrained teams to be more efficient and focused on what matters most – their residents.”
– Deric Blattenberger, CenTrak’s General Manager of Senior Care

Does your community require a new nurse call system? TruView™ accompanied by TruFinder™ is priced competitively with the market, but when considering the rich native feature set TruView encompasses, its value far surpasses any system on the market today. Want to add wander management? Not a problem, just add door hardware to your nurse call system, and at a fraction of the cost of buying a separate wander solution. Gain efficiency and cost savings by leveraging all the features of  TruView™ and TruFinder™. 

The purpose of TruFinder™ is to empower staff with actionable information. Creating an efficient workflow saves on personal protective equipment (PPE) usage and lowers redundant interactions which promote infection prevention. If a new Geo Pendant needs to be assigned to a resident or staff member, simply use the camera on your TruFinder mobile device.

What is the difference between the Real-Time Locating System mobile apps,
TruView Alert Manager™ and TruFinder™? 

TruView Alert Manager:

• Notifies care staff to receive alerts, accept alerts and track activities of daily living (ADLs)
• Gives staff the ability to select event cause from a call completion dropdown list
• Primarily used for clinical and staff alerting
• Quickly view resident alert details and their exact location
• Tap to respond, request additional assistance, or identify a medical emergency
• Easily log reason codes directly into the system
• Analyze care time, average response times, escalations, and event histories

TruFinder:

• Created for building administration for contact tracing and location tracing
• Offers device programming, asset locating and management
• Primarily used for administrative search, reporting and system use
• Quickly search for any resident, staff member, or asset
• Built-in contact tracing reports
• Asset tracking dashboard
• Filterable list view and summary report of equipment inventory
• Assign or change Geo pendant information from anywhere

Prices on an RTLS solution can vary based on deployment needs, but CenTrak’s platforms are the first cost-effective, passive real-time location systems designed for Senior Living that offer nurse call, wander management, resident roaming, asset locating and contact tracing all in one platform.

The CenTrak TruFinder™ mobile app is closing the gap in building administration staffing needs. All around staff turnover is higher than ever in the Senior Living industry. Our Senior Living experts shared their insights and tips on how to recruit, onboard and retain maintenance staff in Senior Living.

Technology Tip: Having a properly designed Wi-Fi system is critical to getting technologies to communicate and connect reliably. Although RTLS coexists with your Wi-Fi system in its self-contained network, a strong Wi-Fi system means all your mobile apps for RTLS & EMR tools operate effectively. The number of devices connected to an access point can determine the quality of a Wi-Fi connection, and more devices than ever before are being utilized in Senior Living spaces. Rely on our experts to optimize your wireless networking capabilities.

CenTrak’s Real-Time Locating System’s Proven Success in Resident Care Facilities

With over 20 years of experience in acute healthcare space and millions of monitored devices worldwide, CenTrak has been recognized as the top Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) provider in North America. Over 2,000 healthcare and Senior Living facilities are using CenTrak technology.

CenTrak has been awarded the Best in KLAS award four times, most recently in 2021, for their technology solutions – an achievement designated largely by the staff that utilize CenTrak’s platforms every day.

KLAS is an independent organization started by four members of the Healthcare Information Technology (HIT) industry to help operators find transparency in the marketplace through research and customer feedback. KLAS evaluates multiple technologies across the healthcare industry through the eyes of its users to identify best of breed solutions. 

Real-Time Location Systems in Healthcare and Senior Living:
System Design and Capabilities 

CenTrak uses mapping technology to visually indicate where people and things are located throughout a Senior Living community. Senior Living communities are now able to take advantage of transformative RTLS technology on a budget that compares favorably to basic run-of-the-mill e-call systems that continue to fall short of market demands, evolution and current challenges CenTrak’s real-time location tracking technology features tangible solutions for today’s latest challenges all in one system, including:

Wander Management & Resident Roaming
Create a safe community with resident services like enhanced nurse call systems and real-time wander management powered by TruLocation™. TruView™ enables communities to create “off-limits” areas (both indoors and outdoors) and customize location settings (“Secure Mode”) based on residents’ risk levels as seniors age in place. Roaming alerts are triggered when a resident begins to stray from their pre-determined safe zone or enter a pre-determined off-limit zone, especially important in Memory Care settings where residents may accidentally enter the wrong living space. In the case of a dangerous wandering event, doors are disabled based on the presence of a specified Geo pendant. A real-time alert is dispatched for immediate caregiver response.

Resident Emergency Call (Safety and Security)
CenTrak’s TruView™ provides fast and accurate emergency response by capturing the exact room-level location of residents and staff, throughout the TruView system coverage area. When an emergency alert is triggered by the CenTrak Geo wearable pendant, staff are immediately notified at their workstations and through the TruView™ Alert Manager via text, email, phone, pagers, etc. The Geo wearable device provides the resident with gentle haptic feedback (vibration/LED) to confirm that the system has successfully delivered the message and help is on the way.

Environmental Monitoring
As part of the TruView™ platform, CenTrak’s Environmental Monitoring solution provides continuous measurement and reporting of ambient temperatures in resident refrigerators and freezers to ensure safety of consumable items. This also applies to a community’s foodservice and medication storage. Alerts when parameters are out of range enable residents or community managers to immediately take corrective action. This same system can also be used to measure storage conditions of medications and other critical items.

Staff Duress + Labor Savings
Healthcare workers face an increased risk of work-related violence. Early intervention enables you to effectively deescalate conflict, avoiding harm to staff and residents. CenTrak’s TruView™ provides peace of mind to staff knowing they are always protected, anywhere within the community. 

Nothing is less safe than uncertainty. With TruLocation™ technology, CenTrak provides certainty with:

1. Discrete Buttons
2. Silent haptic/vibrate Feedback, so user knows the button press was received by first responders
3. Certainty based indoor location, that provides the specific location of where a staff member is

Accurate location means less training for new staff to learn how to respond during an emergency and no wasted time second guessing.

Equipment Tracking and Management
By quickly locating equipment needed for older adult use, such as wheelchairs, lifts and beds, TruView™ provides a more efficient environment for staff. Real-time status updates help to optimize community workflows by easily understanding which equipment is clean and ready for use, actively in use or waiting to be serviced. Track the use and location of rented vs. owned equipment to gauge financial investments, or locate equipment such as a lift if a resident requires help after a fall.

Senior Living Specific Real-Time Location System
Because CenTrak’s TruView™ is a real-time location system purpose built specifically for Senior Living communities, TruView is customized to fit your community’s emergency call and wander management budget. CenTrak envisions every community having access to the same transformative use cases they have been delivering to hospitals for nearly 20 years. TruView™ is the exclusive way to accomplish this outcome.

Optimize Memory Care Design for Resident Well-being

With the demand for Memory Care communities on the rise, incorporating innovative design tricks will be key to supporting the needs of residents. In addition to reduced mobility, strength and visual acuity, residents may have added concerns, like wandering or psychological symptoms. It is important to consider integrating long-term infection control and prevention initiatives in Memory Care design and holistic Senior Living design.

When necessary due to the health climate, consider the effects of isolation within a Memory Care environment and learn proper engagement tips for this care type. 

When designing dementia care spaces, consider open-concept interior design to allow for wandering, distancing guidelines, and resident safety. Artwork plays a big role in the mood of any Senior living space. Learn to select art for your Senior Living or Memory Care community. 

Create a dementia-friendly environment by using memory aids to remind residents about mealtimes. Try a clock with large numbers, an easy-to-read appointment calendar with large letters and numbers, or even a daily schedule or menu board.

In Memory Care dining spaces be consistent with furniture placement, so residents know what to expect. Play classical or soothing music for a calming effect. It’s equally important for Memory Care residents to avoid over stimulation caused by television, excessive noise or too many people.

A separate service time for Memory Care residents gives them a calmer, dementia-friendly dining experience. When several care types are in the dining space at once, seat Memory Care residents facing away from other diners to help prevent distractions.

When caring for dementia patients, keep the table setting basic, and only offer the utensils they will need. That also means avoiding patterned plates and tablecloths as well as minimizing decorations and condiments on the table that might cause unnecessary distraction.

However, creating contrast is still a critical part of Memory Care dining room design. Many residents suffer from visual impairment so distinction between the food, the plate and tablecloth should be considered. Use brightly colored dinnerware, which will help residents identify where the food is on the plate. In fact, a Boston University study found that “older adults dining from red plates ate 25% more than those dining from white plates.”

What Memory Care residents eat with can also improve their overall dining experience. Increase independence by substituting a bowl for a plate, a spoon for a fork, or choosing from assistive dinnerware, mugs and flatware that address some physical issues associated with aging. For example, large handles offer a more comfortable grip, weighted utensils keep things steady, coated utensils protect lips and teeth and two-handed mugs with lids help reduce spills. Shop all of our dining utensil offerings. 

Just like anyone, feeling involved and part of the conversation can make a big emotional impact on Memory Care residents. With that in mind, encourage staff to greet residents and engage with them in conversation before, during and after meals – even if residents are not able to respond verbally. When possible, sit and eat with residents and offer assistance throughout the meal. Just keep in mind that while staff may be joining the meal, their focus should remain on the residents.

While residents with Alzheimer’s, dementia or other Memory Care concerns may need extra attention, staff and caregivers can utilize several strategies to help improve their overall dining experience.

Learn more about Memory Care dining from our Senior Living experts.

3. Encourage Proper Wayfinding in
Memory Care Design

Create a personalized entryway outside the resident’s room by using recognizable décor from home. It’ll help the resident find their way and feel more comfortable. Start by including photos, and consider adding memory boxes, so residents can add personal mementos.

Color recognition can help guide residents throughout the building. Clear signage and way finding materials, like 3D texture panels, are a good place to start. By combining color and texture into a way finding material, the panels help guide residents as well as boost mood, improve behavior and increase calmness. 

Memory care garden designs should emphasize the cycle of planting, nurturing and harvesting. This cyclical pattern reminds Memory Care residents of common cycles like seasons and days of the week. Connections like this help early stages of memory loss and decreases the risk of cognitive impairment.  Involvement in a community garden improves resident wellness and engagement by prompting communications with peers, stimulating memory and offering opportunities for individual expression. 

Make sure an outdoor space, no matter the size, offers ample opportunities to engage residents and visiting family members, encourage connection and improve wellness. 

5. Activities for Elderly in Senior Living 

Appeal to residents’ hobbies and foster an environment that promotes choice, fun and socialization by including dedicated spaces for art, woodworking, exercise, board games and other activities. For example, incorporate furnishings and equipment that accommodate a recording studio for loved ones or residents themselves to record messages or songs. Sing-alongs and performances by local musical groups are great activities for seniors. Music sparks memories and conversation among residents living in Memory Care facilities or who live with Alzheimer’s disease. 

A client shared with our team a story of compassion in the face of adversity where music really made a difference. Witness the power of music as a group of Memory Care residents transforms from passive listeners to a joyful choir. 

Another easy way to engage older adults is with a Life Station, which encourages residents to partake in familiar activities. Routines with regular activities provide great mental stimulation for residents with dementia and
memory loss.

How to Clean Furniture

Start by identifying your furnishing type to determine the best cleaning method:

Cleaning method: Wipe tables with a damp cloth, then immediately wipe dry. Avoid using abrasive cleaning agents containing ammonia or other solvents (e.g., paint thinners, turpentine). A solution of warm water, vinegar and about five drops of dish soap can clean and disinfect the furniture if soiled. 

Remove dust and protect using a soft cloth and non-abrasive furniture polish. Avoid polish build-up by applying furniture polish sparingly to a soft cloth and gently wiping wood surfaces.

Cleaning agents/detergents should not contain solvents (e.g., paint thinners, turpentine), abrasive detergents (e.g., baking soda), furniture polish or denatured alcohols (e.g., white spirit). Avoid using a cleaner in combination with a brush or scouring pad.

Cleaning method: Clean the top with liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water. For stubborn stains, use a household cleaner that is appropriate for use on wood products. Avoid bleach or abrasive cleaners, as these may void the warranty of the product.

How to Clean Upholstery

To properly clean fabrics, first identify your fabric type:   

To clean syrupy stains (e.g., cola, cough syrup), apply a few drops of water on the stain for 5 to 15 minutes, then brush, blot and rinse. For ink, marker or crayons, use a strong water-based cleaner. For ballpoint ink, use rust removers. For gum, harden with ice, remove with a dull scraper and use a powdered enzyme detergent diluted with water. For oily stains, use oil and grease removers and quickly wipe off. Follow up with a powdered enzyme detergent diluted with water and rinse.

• Outdura^® fabrics: Use a solution of lukewarm water (not exceeding 100°F) and a mild natural soap. A mild bleach/water mixture may be used as needed. Rinse well.
• Bella-Dura^® fabrics: Spot-clean with a water-based cleaner or mild soap. A bleach/water mixture may be used as needed. Apply cleaning solution and blot with a clean, dry cloth.
• Sunbrella^® fabrics: Spot-clean with a solution of lukewarm water and mild soap. A bleach/water mixture may be used as a spot remover when necessary.
• Summer Classics^® Exclusive fabrics: Use only water-based cleaning agents.