A chair near the bed or in the hall often starts with good intentions. You put it there so she has somewhere to sit. Over time it can become a halfway stop that changes how she stands, walks and gets up in the dark.
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How the chair becomes a stop
She sits for a moment because the chair is there. Then she stands from it, which takes a push off the arms or the seat. A chair that slides or tips will move under that push. Once she has used it twice, her body starts to expect it. The chair is no longer a place to rest. It is the next step on the route.
Look for the early signs
Watch for a pause she did not take before, a hand that goes to the chair arm, a blanket or cushion that has been moved onto it, or a chair pushed out of its spot. These signs show the chair has joined the route. They are easy to miss because they look like comfort.
Check the chair itself
Look at the feet. Check whether they grip the floor or slide on it. Lift one side and see whether the chair rocks. Note the arm height and whether it sits level with the bed edge. A chair she pushes off should be steady enough to take the push without moving.
Decide where the chair belongs
You have two choices. You can move the chair off the route and keep it where she sits in daylight. Or you can keep a planned rest, with a fixed chair in one place and a light she can see from the bed. Whichever you choose, the decision should be made on the route, not on the living room layout.
What to write down
Write down which chair it is, the first night she sat on it, and the first night she stood from it without the usual pause. Write down any change in her pace, any sliding, and any night the chair was moved. If the chair starts to change how she stands or walks, add that to your notes for the physician.