The living room and den are some of the most popular gather spaces in a home. It’s where the entire family gathers to share stories, watch movies, and play classic board games. With it being such a popular space for families it’s important to make sure it’s safe and comfortable for people of all ages, especially for baby boomers and their parents.

To make life easier for all members of the family the IM Store team created a helpful list of simple suggestions and products.

• Use chairs that have arms so an individual can use them to push on.
• Extend a recliner’s handle with a lever extender to make gripping the handle easier and at a more accessible height.
• Consider the height of chairs and sofas; those that are 4 inches higher from the floor than most chairs and sofas make getting in and out easier.
• Use end tables that are close to the same height as the chair or sofa arms so the individual does not have to reach farther than necessary.
• Furniture should not have sharp edges and be stable.
• Use large button remotes to make changing the station and volume on the TV easier.
• Use cordless phones (or cell phones); position near favorite seating location to avoid getting up every time the phone rings.
• Have a small magnifier nearby to enlarge print for reading.
• Make sure lighting is sufficient in sitting/reading areas; if not, switch to brighter lights or add extra light fixtures.
• Keep extension cord out of the way to preventing tripping or potential fire hazards.
• Put all DVD players and cable boxes a few feet off the ground to prevent having to bend over or get on one’s knees to access controls.
• Use add-on large knobs for lamps so they can be easily turned on and off.
• Position furniture in low traffic areas.

Clear away the clutter on floors, end tables, and seating areas.