Ensuring a Senior can Safely Stand

As a person ages, their body begins to change. Many of these changes are completely natural, but there are also a number of diseases that are more likely to occur in the elderly. One of the most common of these diseases of arthritis, which can affect people of any age, including children, but is more common among those over 65.

These types of diseases can have a very big impact on the lives of a seniors, making many daily tasks much more difficult. Often, diseases that affect the elderly, like arthritis, are compounded by other common ailments, such as limited vision and dementia. Usually the effects of these diseases can not be reversed, although with proper treatment, they can typically be reduced. Many seniors also use lifting aids to help make their life easier.

One of the most well known lifting aid is the lift chair, which is in some circles called a lift recliner or a riser recliner. This is because the outward appearance of most lift chairs is similar to that of a recliner. However, the services offered by these devices differs greatly than that of your typical recliner.

Riser Recliners vs Traditional Recliners

Riser recliners are designed to make it easier for a senior to stand up safely and without assistance. A lifting system, which is controlled by a simple hand control, is placed in the base of the recliner. As the lift chair rises, the chair and its occupant is slowly raised. Once the lift chair is fully raised, the seated senior is left in a standing position.

Bathroom Safety

While lift chairs might be the most common type of standing aid, there are a number of other devices available to help improve accessibility in the home. The toilet seat lift is another common tool used by seniors and is designed to fit over an existing toilet. When it is activated, the toilet seat lift slowly raises the senior to their feet. Most also include hand holds on either side for the senior. Most are also installed without having to modify the toilet, so they can be removed quickly and easily.

Perhaps even more common than the toilet seat lift is the bath lift. Getting into and out of a bath tub can be very difficult and with the addition of water and slippery surfaces, this can be a very dangerous task for a senior. Bath lifts are installed on the inside of the bathtub and safely raise the senior the total height of the bathtub. Most bath lifts use an electric motor, which raises a plastic seat, however air filled cushions are also available, which inflate to raise the senior out of the bathtub and deflate to lower them into the bathtub.

Since many seniors experience difficulty with getting up and sitting down, there are a number of tools available that can safely address this issue. These types of tools are important for safety reasons and can also help improve independence, as the senior will not have to rely on a nurse or family member to help them get into and out of the bathtub or out of their sitting chair.