🪑 Finding the Right Chair Fit for a Loved One with Dementia

Because comfort, safety, and dignity begin with the right support.

When caring for a loved one with dementia, you may notice them leaning to one side while sitting. It can be concerning — but before assuming they need a smaller chair, it’s important to understand why it’s happening. The right approach can make all the difference for safety, comfort, and peace of mind.

🧠 Understanding the Leaning Behavior

Leaning to one side is common in dementia and may have several contributing factors:

• Postural instability or loss of midline awareness

• Muscle weakness or asymmetry — one side of the body may be weaker

• Fatigue or reduced trunk control

• Environmental factors such as a chair that’s too wide, poor positioning, or shifting cushions

Sometimes the lean is caused by changes in the brain that affect balance and perception, not the chair itself. That’s why assessment is key before changing equipment.

🪑 About Chair Width

For petite individuals, a narrower chair can sometimes improve stability and comfort — especially if the current one is too wide and allows sliding or leaning.
However, a smaller seat isn’t always the right solution. It can be inappropriate if it:

• Restricts movement or increases pressure on hips and thighs

• Fails to address neurological or sensory causes of leaning

In many cases, lateral supports, cushions, or positioning wedges work better than downsizing the chair.

✅ Best Practice for Chair Selection

• Measure carefully: Seat width should equal the person’s widest hip point plus about 1 inch total clearance.

• Consult a therapist: Occupational or physical therapists can assess posture, tone, and alignment.

• Adjust before replacing: Try adding lateral supports or wedges first to correct posture and reduce leaning safely.

🩺 Backed by Clinical Guidance

Leading organizations — including AOTA, RESNA, the World Health Organization, and the Alzheimer’s Society— emphasize that seating should always be individualized. Their research shows that narrowing seat width without addressing posture or neurological causes can actually increase discomfort and risk of pressure injuries.

💡 The Takeaway

A smaller chair may help when the current one is clearly too wide, but it’s not automatically the right fix. Leaning in dementia is often multifactorial — part physical, part neurological. The safest solution combines proper fit, supportive positioning, and professional input to ensure lasting comfort and dignity.