I was intrigued as an occupational therapist to see how the IKEA movement has crept into care homes as part of everyday life. Especially noteworthy considering the recent death of one of the most important global entrepreneurs and controversial IKEA founder who died last week at 91 and started his company at the age of 17.

A high-low table is available in a general-purpose room in a Swedish care home I visited a month or two ago. It is used for a range of uses such as the obvious computer or other creative activities such as using a sewing machine open for both staff and residents to use. At the same time standing is improving static standing tolerance and balance using purposeful activity. This is a great way to maintain an older person’s functional capacity and prevent falls.

It can also be used for stroking the managers dog!

Job satisfaction is fundamental to creativity. The more creative the environment the more likely it is to curate and instil a spontaneous, responsive and playful workforce.

The manager also uses this piece of IKEA regularly to do her admin – it gives balance to the use of muscle groups and prevents the challenges of a sedentary office position- still the mainstream choice in the UK. Perhaps care homes should lead the way in the UK? This might place innovation at the heart of a sector not hitherto viewd as a business leader.