A lift chair is a standard two or three-position recliner chair with a powerful motorized mechanism that pushes the entire chair up from its base to assist in raising the user up from a sitting position to a standing position as well as lowering him from a standing position to a sitting position. Lift chairs are utilized to assist individuals with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, neuropathy of the lower legs, osteoarthritis of the knees/hips, balance disorders, degenerative joint disease, cerebral palsy, ALS, and people recovering from surgery.
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Patients of any age who live with medical conditions that interfere with their ability to raise and lower themselves from a seated position without help, or who have conditions that may be aggravated by doing so would benefit from the use of a lift chair. Conditions impacting the ability to sit and stand independently include osteoarthritis of the hips and knees, rheumatoid arthritis, balance disorders, neuropathy of the lower legs, degenerative joint disease, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease and ALS. Lift chairs may also help patients recovering from surgery and injuries, bariatric patients and lower limb amputees.
Senior citizens who have age related muscle weakness that hasn’t responded to exercise or therapy benefit from lift chairs as well.
Why are lift chairs used?
Lift chairs are used to prevent or arrest the progression of conditions such as arthritis or degenerative joint disease. Patients with circulation problems may find it easier and more comfortable to keep their legs above heart level in a lift recliner than in other recliners.
They ensure that patients living with either neuromuscular issues or conditions such as arthritis can sit and stand in a safe, controlled manner without a caregiver’s help to reduce the risk of falls and related injuries, as well as enhancing the patient’s sense of autonomy. Since no help from a caregiver is needed to get in and out of the chair, some patients even prefer to sleep in them.
The comfort and safety of the chairs also allows for users to reach a deeper level of relaxation than in a conventional chair, maximizing pain relief. The minimal effort involved in sitting and standing allows the user to feel more energetic.
Lift chairs are a boon for caregivers as well. The effort involved in helping someone in and out of a chair puts them at risk for back injuries. Letting the chair do the work involved in seating a person all but eliminates the chances of such injuries occurring. Another related caregiver benefit is peace of mind knowing that the risk of injury to the user from standing and sitting is minimized.
How are lift chairs used?
Lift chairs are designed to comfortably and safely seat the user while blending in with the rest of the furniture in the room. Unless the chair is raised, the only feature that sets it apart from other chairs is the four-point anti-skid base.
To sit down, users position themselves so that the backs of the knees are touching the chair. Next, they press the button on the hand control that lowers the chair to the sitting position and if desired, they may recline. To stand up again, simply press the appropriate buttons for raising the chair to the standing position. The 10-gauge steel scissor mechanism powered by a quiet, smooth-running electric motor does the work for the user. Once seated, the user may read, do crossword puzzles, watch TV or nap safely and comfortably.
Some models have two or three positions for sitting upright, partially reclining and standing up. Others have infinite positioning to allow the user to fully recline. As with conventional recliners, the chair needs placement far enough away from walls or windows to ensure that the chair back moves freely.
In addition to the user’s medical condition, other factors that need to be considered in chair selection include the user’s height and weight, if the chair will be used for sleeping, any issues with incontinence, and if the user will be joined by pets or children on a regular basis.
When are lift chairs used?
Lift chairs are utilized when medical and therapeutic interventions have been unable to alleviate the challenges that a patient has in standing under his or her own power, when the physician feels that it would slow down the progress of a disease such as arthritis or in the case of a degenerative disease such as Parkinson’s to help the patient stay as independent as possible for as long as possible.
Lift chairs may be used in temporary circumstances such as post-surgical recovery to enhance comfort and minimize the risk of reopening the surgical site.
Where are lift chairs used?
Primarily, lift chairs are used in private residences, but may also be found in assisted living facilities, hospitals and some healthcare provider’s waiting rooms.
Rehabmart is proud to carry superior quality lift recliner chairs manufactured in the USA by Golden Technologies.
Mike Price, OT
Rehabmart Co-Founder & CTO
