A Lift Chair Primer
One of the factors that makes arthritis so serious is its prevalence among those over 65.
Even though arthritis can affect people of any age group, it is most commonly found in seniors.
Since arthritis is characterized by joint inflammation and discomfort, it is not uncommon for a senior to lack the ability to stand or sit without assistance, instead having to rely on someone to help them stand or risk a fall.
To counteract the risks associated with standing and sitting many seniors turn to lift chairs, which not only make it easier and safer to stand, but also help ensure that the senior can live independently.
Lift chairs are a kind of lifting aid, which usually look a great deal like recliners.
They are often called lift recliners or riser recliners.
Usually, these types of chairs offer a reclining backrest and an extend-able footrest, as well as sometimes offering other special features.
However, this is not what sets the lift chair apart from other types of sitting chairs.
Instead, it is the strong lifting system that is installed into the base of the chair that makes a lift chair special.
The lifting system is designed to raise the chairs frame into the air, allowing the chairs occupant to safely exit on their feet.
The lifting system of this type of mobility aid is powered electronically and controlled by the person using the chair.
Most often, the device is controlled by a simple hand control, which uses a constant pressure switch system.
A constant pressure switch system is designed so that an individual must continue pressing the chairs button, until it has reached its peak.
If they stop pressing the button, then the chair stops moving, which prevents a number of accidents that could otherwise occur if the chair raised automatically.
Since so many people rely upon riser recliners to safely stand, most quality chairs include a battery backup.
This ensures that the chairs occupant will never be left stranded and unable to stand up in the event of a power outage or severe storm.
The battery backup is typically compromised of a single 9 volt battery, which will need to be replaced after use or once every year.
While the riser recliner is the most common lifting aid, there are several other related types of home medical products.
This includes devices that can be placed on top of an existing recliner or chair to aid in standing, as well as chairs that have a lifting cushion.
These alternatives, while sometimes less expensive, do not offer the same helpful boost that lift recliners do, because only the cushion of the chair actually rises.
As a result, with the exception of traveling, these devices are not as good of a choice as a lift recliner.
In the home, a riser recliner can greatly improve the overall safety and ability of a senior to stand up, which often directly increases the seniors ability to live independently.