Senior Health Aids: The Lift Chair

For the elderly and those over 65, standing up without assistance often becomes very difficult. This is something that for many is taken for granted, but is a common task that becomes more difficult with age. There are a number of ways to address this issue, with many turning to lift recliners as their source for increasing safety and accessibility.

Seniors use lift chairs as a tool to help make standing easier, but they are also a very comfortable place to relax and watch TV or to take a nap. This is because in addition to being standing aids, lift chairs also offer all the features of a regular recliner. This of course includes the backrest and footrest, which can be reclined and extended respectively, but like top end recliners, lift chairs also often come with special features like heat and massage. In the end, however, the main feature of a lift chair recliner is that it allows the senior to safely stand.

How Do Lift Chairs Work?

The way a lift chair works is that it has a strong scissor lift in the base of the chair. The scissor lift is powered electronically and when it has been activated, it causes the entire lift chair to rise. They are controlled by a simple hand unit, which is physically attached to the lift recliner. The hand unit, or hand-control, is very simple to use and in many cases only has two buttons that can be used to control the entire chair, including the backrest. The hand control does not take any batteries, although some lift chairs do also offer wireless remotes.

Even though most lift chairs do not require a battery in their hand control, many do offer a battery backup. The battery backup ensures that the lifting aid can be used in all cases, even if the home itself looses its power. Amazingly, a single 9 volt battery is usually used, which is the same kind of battery found in most fire alarms. This is enough to raise the entire lift chair and offers a much more inexpensive option than most other devices that use batteries. However, it is important that the battery is replaced if it is used or annually if it is not used.

Lift Chair Manufacturers

Lift chairs have actually been around for almost 30 years now and there are a number of companies than manufacturer lift recliners. However, two names, Golden Technologies and Pride Mobility, always rise to the top. This is because Pride Lift Chairs and Golden Lift Chairs have been around since the mid-eighties and both companies have an excellent reputation for quality and dependability. Both companies offer a large line of lift recliners, which offer extra features or meet specific price points.

However, Pride Lift Chairs and Golden Lift Chairs are not the only kind around, but when selecting an off brand, it is important to check any lift chair reviews that can be found, as well as ensuring the chair is covered by a comprehensive warranty and the company has been in business for a long time.