ᐅ How can the Ikea HEMNES furniture be adapted for elderly people?

Hello everyone, I would like to start a discussion on the topic: How can Ikea Hemnes be better adapted for older adults?

The HEMNES range is popular, but I see some challenges when it comes to use by elderly people, especially regarding shelf height, drawer handling, and furniture stability. Older adults often have limited mobility, reduced strength, and need more safety in daily life.

How could the design and functionality of this product be specifically improved to make it more accessible and comfortable for seniors? I am thinking of ergonomic adjustments, modified dimensions, and possibly additional assistive features.

Please share your experiences, ideas, and technical considerations – I look forward to a variety of approaches!

The most important aspect of HEMNES for elderly people is primarily increasing stability and reducing the force needed to open the drawers.

For example, smooth-rolling casters or soft-close hinges could be integrated. Handles should also be larger and easy to grip, possibly with non-slip material.

Basically, when adapting the HEMNES system for seniors, it is helpful to consider the following points:

- The furniture height should be chosen so that bending down or reaching too high is not necessary. An ideal working height is between 70 and 90 cm (28 and 35 inches), depending on the user.
- Drawers and doors should be easy to operate, requiring minimal effort.
- Non-slip handles and possibly lever mechanisms to improve ease of use.

Additionally, when combining HEMNES with other aids, you might consider items such as seat cushions for dressing or wheelchair-accessible shelves.

Ultimately, the individual situation is important, so personal advice is recommended, including from occupational therapists.

I would like to take a closer look at the technical options for customization. The HEMNES series generally uses wood with traditional fittings, which offers advantages in terms of stability but presents some ergonomic challenges.

1. Height: Older adults benefit from furniture that considers the optimal working height. For HEMNES, the legs could be extended (e.g., replacing 54 cm (21 inches) legs with 65 cm (26 inches) ones) to reduce bending.

2. Drawer pull: Standard metal runners often require a pulling force of up to 5 kg (11 lbs). Replacing them with soft-close or damped full-extension runners that require less initial force can help.

3. Handles, as already mentioned, should be wider and possibly made of soft rubber or have a contoured shape to provide a better grip.

4. Stability: HEMNES furniture is often tall and relatively narrow. Expanding the footprint or using wall fasteners is essential to reduce the risk of tipping.

A follow-up question for the thread starter: Is there a specific function that should be prioritized? For example, are you mainly interested in cabinets, dressers, or beds?

Filippo schrieb:
A follow-up question for the thread starter: Is there a specific function that should be prioritized? For example, are we mostly talking about cabinets, dressers, or beds?

Good question! I would say the focus should initially be on dressers and low cabinets, as these are commonly used in living rooms and bedrooms where the biggest accessibility challenges often occur. Beds are important as well, but there are specialized models with adjustable heights for those. Therefore, I believe dressers with drawers and cabinets with easily accessible shelves should be prioritized.

For further clarification: from a safety perspective, it is important that furniture is not only stable but also free of sharp edges that could cause injuries in the event of falls or accidental bumps.

Additionally, consider using soft edge protectors or rounded edges. A matte, non-slip surface helps ensure items can be placed securely and prevents objects from slipping on smooth surfaces.

Regarding ergonomic adjustments, when lowering handle heights, it is recommended to maintain good visibility of the fittings so that older adults, including those with visual impairments, can easily locate the handles. One option is to use contrasting color accents on handles or drawer fronts.