Choosing a Riser Recliner to Increase Safety

Everyday, most people sit down and stand up many times over the course of the day, usually without too much thought. However, for many elderly people, standing or sitting can be very painful, so a great deal more thought goes into when to sit down or stand back up. Some seniors, such as might be caused by rheumatic diseases, find that when they sit for extended periods of time their joints can become very stiff, making any further movements very painful.

As a result of the health problems that some seniors have, standing and sitting is often not something done unconsciously for a senior and is instead a very difficult task, which is why a number of seniors turn to riser recliners to help make standing easier.

What is a Riser Recliner?

Riser recliners are used all over the world to make it easier for a person to stand up or sit down. These mobility lift aids, which are also called lift chairs, are usually designed to look like a standard recliner. However, a riser recliner contains a lifting system in the base of the chair, which makes it much more useful than a normal recliner. This lifting system is used to raise the person sitting in the chair safely to their feet and allow them to sit back down again in a manner that is controlled.

How are Riser Recliners Controlled?

Today, most riser recliners are controlled using a simple hand control that is physically attached to the chair. These hand controls are very straightforward, usually with only a few very large buttons, so they can be used easily by seniors with poor vision. Also the hand control does not require any batteries nor can it be lost, because it is physically attached to the base of the chair. There are a few lift chairs, however, that feature buttons on the armrest or side of the chair, instead of using a hand control.

Selecting the Right Riser Recliner

Choosing the right riser recliner is not a decision that should be taken lightly, because these devices are not simply chairs, but also important safety tools. It is important to consider both the height and weight of the person who will be using the riser recliner, so you can compare this against the riser recliner’s dimensions. The height is very important, because the riser recliner will raise a specific distance from the ground based off of the persons height. If a senior were to use a riser recliner designed for someone much taller, than it could potentially raise the senior to an unsafe height. The weight capacity is an important consideration, both in respects to the life of the electric motor, as well as the frame of the lift chair.

Since standing up or sitting down is not something that a senior with arthritis or other mobility problem can easily do, using a riser recliner can often be the easiest and quickest means of making the home safer and more accessible. These devices are important safety tools and can also provide an extremely comfortable place to sit and relax.