A Chair for Caregivers

A comment on the importance of a comfortable chair next to the patient's bed. Additional input welcomed.

[caregiver222]

My little 103 year old sweety-pie has a hospital bed, but she doesn't spend all her time in it. When she is in bed she loves to have her hand held. One of the things I did was to get a brand new superstuffed chair that is beside the front of her bed. It is far foward enough that she can get into bed easily without moving the chair. When she is in bed, the aide or I can sit comfortably in the chair, and I can cuddle her with my arm or hold her hair while sitting comfortably.  If she snoozes I can continue to cuddle her or hold her hand while I watch a little television or take a snooze myself.  There are two comfortable "aide" chairs in the room. My sweety-pie has her own "television chair" in which she sits and watches TV. Right next to her TV chair is another comfortable "caregiver chair". When I (or an aide) sit in this chair I can comfortably put my arm around sweety-pie and not get a cramp.  I mention this because I have visited many homes where the elderly are cared for and it is an exception for the chairs to be positioned in this manner. The aides chair is generally on the other side of the room or several feet away. My opinion is that it is essential for the caretakers chair to be within a comfortable hands reach of the patient. And the caretakers chair(s) should be very comfortable. Not filding chairs. Not kitchen chairs. Chairs with high backs that you can relax your neck on.