How to Select the Perfect Power Lift Recliner

August 9, 2018 by LiftLab Team

Perfect-Lift-Chair Power lift recliner provide a great option, as they can help to maintain the individual’s independence and provide a comfortable and functional recliner. Lift chairs are also built to cater specifically to a variety of health conditions, including heart issues, diabetes, dementia, chronic pain, and more with the variety of positions and features that they offer. Obviously, lift chairs for elderly users are a great choice. Finding the perfect lift chair can seem difficult, as models differ is size, positions, style, features, and more, but the following guide will help you select the perfect lift chair.

Size

Selecting the right size lift chair for an elderly individual is critical. Not only does choosing the proper size help to ensure a comfortable fit, but it can also increase safety. Users may be prone to falling, and having a chair that is too short or too tall can result in an increased risk of falling. The perfect fit depends largely on personal preference, but here are some general guidelines. This guide is based on the proper seat width and height and the users height and weight.

User’s Height

Under 375 Pounds

Over 375 Pounds

Under 5′ 0″

Width: 19 inches

Height: 18 inches

Width: 24 – 27 inches

Height: 18 inches

5′ 0″ to 5′ 3″

Width: 20 inches

Height: 19 inches

Width: 27 inches

Height: 19 – 20 inches

5′ 4″ to 5′ 10″

Width: 21 inches

Height: 19 – 20 inches

Width: 27 inches

Height: 20 inches

5′ 11″ to 6′ 2″

Width: 23 inches

Height: 20 – 21 inches

Width: 29 inches

Height: 21 inches

Over 6′ 3″

Width: 23 – 24 inches

Height: 22 – 23 inches

Width: 29 inches

Height: 22 – 23 inches

Lift Chair Positions

Lift chairs come in a variety of different positions. The positions needed or desired depend on the specific user. An elderly user may have special chair position considerations. An infinite or zero-gravity lift chair is recommended for heart problems, edema, or spending a lot of time in the chair.

Two-Position Power Lift Recliner

Two-position lift chairs or stand-up chairs recline back to a 45-degree angle and the foot rest can rise up parallel to the floor. The chair can also be positioned anywhere in between the sitting and reclined positions and can lift into a standing position as well.

Three-Position Power Lift Recliner

Three-position lift chairs include the same positions as two-position chairs, but they also include a more reclined napping position at around 30 degrees.

Infinite Position Power Lift Recliner

Infinite position models are great lift chairs for users that spend a large amount of time in their chair because they are able to recline to a completely flat position. These chairs are ideal for those that use their lift chair for sleeping.

Zero-Gravity/Trendelenburg Position Power Lift Recliner

Zero-gravity lift chairs or stand-up chairs are able to achieve the same positions as the other chairs, but these chairs can recline even further, dropping the head and back closer to the floor. The footrest can lift above parallel, and some chairs include an adjustable seat, allowing the hips to lift up higher as well. These chairs allow the feet and legs to be positioned above the lower body, which is called the Trendelenburg position. This position can help improve blood flow and circulation, which can be beneficial for heart patients or seniors with lower extremity edema. This body position can also release stress and strain on the body’s muscles and joints, providing maximal comfort.

Controls

Nearly all lift chairs or stand-up chairs operate using electric controls, which helps ensure the user has full control of the chair at all times. With age, a person’s mental state can begin to deteriorate and mental issues, such as dementia, can set in. Because of this, choosing a chair with simple, easy-to-use controls is critical, especially for users who already show signs of these issues.

Two-Button: Many controls offer a simple two-button design, including lift and recline buttons. With just these two buttons, users can recline into a relaxed or sleeping position and return to a standing position. These simple controls are perfect for individuals with dementia or mental impairment.
Separate Controls: Some controls also include up and down buttons to individually control the backrest and footrest. These chairs include dual motors that allow for more customizable positioning and comfort. These controls often include a button that can bring the chair to a standing position with a single press, making changing positions easy.
Presets: Some controls have pre-programmable buttons that can be customized to save favorite positions, such as TV watching, sitting, sleeping, and more.
Accessories: Lift chair controls are positioned on either the right or left side depending on the chair, and they can come with accessories, including a USB charger.

Features

There are many features that are available on stand-up chairs that can be especially useful if suffering from various health conditions, including diabetes, back or leg pain, neck issues, and mobility problems.

Heat and Massage:
Adding heat and massage functionality onto a lift chair can increase comfort and is a great way to decrease stress and relax sore and stiff muscles. Heat and massage can be especially useful for users with diabetes, as massage can help improve circulation and muscle flexibility and can decrease blood pressure, neuropathy pain, and blood sugar levels.

Lumbar Support: For individuals with lower back pain, lumbar support can be a great way to increase comfort. Some chairs come with lumbar support included, while others include adjustable pillows and padding that can be setup for each specific user.

Adjustable Head Rest: Some lift recliners include head rests that are adjustable either manually or through a powered control. These headrests allow for neck support to maximize comfort, and they are ideal for patients with sore muscles or cervical spine issues.

Adjustable Armrests: Some chairs include armrests that can either be lowered or completely removed. These lift chairs are especially useful for individuals that have mobility issues and use a wheelchair or a scooter to assist with movement.

Extendable Footrest: If you or your loved one are taller or that have longer legs, an extendable footrest can provide extra leg support to make the chair more comfortable and prevent any pressure points on the lower legs.

Storage Compartments: There are many varieties of storage compartments. Some chairs include storage compartments on the side where the control is positioned. In addition, other chairs may include pockets on both sides, or no pockets at all. Storage compartments can be helpful for users that need to store remotes, books and other items.

Back Style

Button Back: Button-back backrests are often a firmer option, and they provide a more classic-style look.
Sewn Back: Sewn backrests are often quite plush. They provide similar amounts of cushioning for both the back and the neck and head.
Split Back: Split back lift chairs utilize two vertical backrest pads that are split down the middle. This design eliminates direct pressure on the spine and can be useful for end users that have spinal issues, misalignment, or are recovering from back surgery.
Cascading Back: Cascading backrests, also known as waterfall backrests, consist of multiple pillows stacked on top of one another. These pillows can often be unzipped and padding can be added or removed to provide specific support in necessary areas along the back and neck.

Room Aesthetics

Wall-Hugger Models: Some electric lift chairs are designed in a way in which they can be placed close to the wall. These products need only be placed a few inches from the wall, whereas other models may need between 18 and 30 inches. These chairs are ideal for smaller spaces, but they also generally are not able to recline quite as far.
Upholstery: Electric lift chairs are available in a number of different fabrics. This ensures you can find the perfect fit for both the enjoyer and the room. There are many fabric options available in a large variety of colors. Many fabrics are stain resistant, along with other options such as leather, suede, micro suede, and more.

How this favorite lift assist chair is a bully

July 25, 2018 by LiftLab Team

Lift Assist Chair Recliner

The U-MAX Massage lift assist chair is a great option for smaller users, especially those who would benefit from massage capabilities. This functionality provides a lot of customization, and is great for users with chronic pain or poor circulation. This chair also includes easy-to-use dual controls for both reclining and massage. However, this chair is limited in its positions. It can only recline to 130 degrees, which is not ideal for users with heart conditions or that sleep in their chair. You may want to read about how to select the perfect lift recliner.

Sizing and Appearance:

This lift chair has a seat height of 19 inches, a width of 20 inches, and a back height of 27.5 inches, making this chair ideal for users under 5’4” tall. This chair also has a weight limit of 330 pounds. It comes in either brown or black leather, making it a stylish addition to any room.

Reclining Positions:

This U-Max power lift chair is a two-position chair and reclines to 130 degrees. This is fine for the user who sits to relax involved in a hobby, reading or watching TV. It is not intended for over night sleeping. It is also not recommended for users with heart conditions. If you are looking for a chair for a user or yourself with a heart condition there are specific chair functions that you need to evaluate.

Ease of Use:

This lift assist chair is fully automatic and has two separate remotes for easy controls. One of these remotes has a simple two-button control for lifting and reclining, while the other has easy-to-use controls for the massage capabilities. These controls are great for all users, especially those with dementia or mental impairment.

Comfort:

This chair is made of PU leather and is packed with spongy foam padding for added comfort. This lift assist chair also has massage and heat capabilities for four different body parts, including the lower legs, thighs, lumbar, and upper back. There are also five different modes, including pulse, press, wave, auto, and normal for customization. This massage makes it great for users with chronic pain, diabetes, or poor circulation. This chair also comes with dual cup holders and four pockets for easy storage.

Setup and Cleaning:

This chair is easy to assemble and has a very small footprint, needing to only be positioned 10 inches from the wall. It also comes with two wheels, making maneuverability easy. This product also comes with a one-month return and one-year accessory replacement warranty, and a three- or five-year protection plan can also be added.

This chair is a perfect fit for most shorter height users and really bully’s the competition with all that it offers.

What you need to know about this Mega-Motion lift chair

July 7, 2018 by LiftLab Team

Quality Power Lift Chair for the Average Sized User

For this article, we studied several electric lift chairs, and will give you details and pros and cons, on the popular Mega-Motion, Easy Comfort, 3 Position Rising Lift Chair, Model LC-200.

PROS:

• Easy to operate with remote control
• Uses regular 110 volt outlet
• Easy to clean and stain resistance
• Fits into the same amount of space used for regular recliners
• Stress-free transfer from walker, wheelchair, and caregiver assistance

CONS:

• Needs minor assembly upon deliver
• Curbside delivery with optional fee for in-house deliver and assembly
• No heating or vibrating elements
• Footrest does not work independently, only opens when seat is reclined
• Heavy weight requires assistance to rearrange or move for cleaning beneath the chair

SUITABLE FOR PEOPLE WHO:

• Between 5’4” and 6’ in height
• Weigh less than 325 pounds
• Have difficulty standing from a seated position
• Have difficulty sitting from a standing position
• Seeking comfort from
• Need to elevate their feet to relieve muscle tension or swelling in the lower leg and feet areas
• Want support to ease lower back pain

NOT SUITABLE FOR PEOPLE WHO:

• Cannot bend their knees
• Have memory or dementia problems an cannot remember how to operate the chair
• Have back or spinal infirmities that cannot tolerate the chair’s back support
• Are too short, too tall, or weight more than 325 pounds for this particular lift chair model

When living with mobility problems, or caring for someone with these concerns, being able to comfortably get into and out of a chair can be a great convenience. Walkers and canes are good for getting you from one place to another, but they do not give you the relief you’re looking for when you want to sit down.

Difficulty due to arthritis, back and spine injuries, birth defects, or any number of other medical conditions, causes discomfort and pain when you attempt to sit down or stand up. These mobility problems are felt by both the young and the not so young, by men, and by women. The good news is that motorized lift chairs can make that transfer from standing to sitting, and vice versa, easy and stress free, for both you and your caregiver.

With an endless number of electric lift chairs available today, it can be confusing to find the right power lift chair for you. Your ideal electric lift chair is the one that will accommodate your height and weight, feel comfortable against your back and under your seat, be easy to operate, can operate with a backup battery when electricity is lost, and have position flexibility. I have done research on various lift chairs and want to share this information with you.

MAIN FEATURES;

• Totally remote controlled, electric chair for lifting and reclining
• 3 Positions are closed, slightly reclined, and fully reclined
• Slow motion for easy adjustment and stop motion for additional positions
• Frame is hardwood
• Mechanism is heavy duty steel
• Fabric is stain resistant, durable polyester
• Equipped with emergency battery backup
• Accommodates heights from 5’4” to 6’
• Maximum weight capacity of 325 pounds
• 1 year warranty for in-home repairs
• Three color choices: Navy, Fawn, and Chocolate
• Priced under $1000

CHAIR DIMENSIONS:

• Total width of back is 28.5”
• Seat position to floor is 18”
• Seat depth and width is 20”
• Full length from upper back to seat is 25”
• Full floor size is 34” wide, 41.5” tall
• 130 pounds fully assembled
• 18” from wall space needed for reclined position

CONCLUSION:
Whether this is your first power lift chair or a replacement, it is important for you to try a chair before you buy one. An electric lift chair is an expensive piece of furniture, whether you buy it from a medical supply company, a furniture store, or online.

A power lift chair may provide the comfort you are looking for if you have difficulty when attempting to sit down, stand up, or just relaxing. A mobilized lift chair is a good solution when you need to remain seated for several hours during the day. Having a mobility problem, painful arthritis, a spinal or back issue, or a permanent injury does not mean that you need to endure discomfort or pain while sitting. And, with a 3 position lift chair, you also have the option of reclining the seat fully for a stress-free afternoon nap.

Helpful Articles:

Considerations for buying a lift recliner

A budget friendly stand up recliner

How to Choose an electric stand up chair for Elderly

January 27, 2018 by LiftLab Team

Selecting a Lift Recliner

Stand up chair for elderly are frequently used. They help individuals that lack balance or core strength as well as those with more severe mobility issues. The chairs are designed to assist people from a sitting to standing position and visa-versa. This can be a blessing to the user and the caregiver.

To receive optimum benefits from a lift chair it is important to research your options. There are several categories of lift chairs for the elderly. Determine which chair best suits your needs before investing.

Cost

The price range for power lift recliners varies. The price depends on the type of features included in the chair. Prices range from $500 to over $3000. Most people will spend an average of $1000 on a lift chair regardless of the style they choose.

Considerations

Does the user have a long-term need for the chair or is it a temporary disability? Check with your local medical supply agency for rental options for short-term injuries.

Alzheimer’s Disease or other dementia-related conditions warrant careful consideration. They may be confused by the remote control causing frustration and increased agitation. Attempting to get out of the chair while in a reclined position could be a safety hazard.

Will the individual use the chair for sleeping? The chair should offer a wide range of positions for optimal comfort. This is especially important for individuals who spend extended amounts of time in power lift recliners.

Does the user experience edema or suffer from circulatory problems? Some chairs are better designed to address this type of issue.

Standard

The standard lift chair is the most basic. It does not offer any fancy options but it does get the job done. Its lift function operates in the same manner as other lift chairs but the backrest does not recline. This may be a safer option for a cognitively impaired person. The controls should only be operated by a caregiver.

Two-Position

The two-position lift chair operates with one motor. This controls the back and the leg rest at the same time. The average two-position chair offers some versatility. It may be a good choice for individuals looking for a comfortable chair for reading, watching television and general comfort.

Three-Position

The three-position lift chair utilizes two motors to operate the back and leg rests independently of each other. The chair is also known as an infinite-position lift chair due to its extreme versatility. A three-position chair is a good option for individuals who spend long periods of time in their chair.

A person with limited mobility should change positions frequently to avoid pressure sores. This chair offers a simple solution. The chair can recline flat or adjusted to a comfortable sleeping position. The leg rest can be elevated over the user’s heart. This position, known as the Trendelenburg Position, is frequently used to reduce edema and increase circulation in the legs and feet.

Zero Gravity

This chair provides all of the features available in a three-position chair with the bonus of an adjustable seat. The seat box can be raised and tilted. The operation is similar to an adjustable car seat. Raising the lower back reduces the pressure on the spine. The zero gravity feature promotes proper spine alignment, relaxes back muscles, improves circulation and expands lung capacity.

Users of zero gravity lift chairs tout the extreme comfort provided by this feature. Give it a test run at your local dealer’s showroom before rejecting it because of the expense.

Size

No one would willingly choose to wear an ill-fitting pair of shoes. It would be silly to purposely decide to be uncomfortable. Lift chairs for elderly users range in size from petite to heavy duty. Choosing the correct size will ensure maximum comfort.

There are several ways to determine the proper sized chair. Ideally, the user’s feet should rest flat on the floor while sitting upright with their back against the backrest. The seat box should be wide enough to accommodate the user’s hips at their widest point.

It is not always possible to test the chairs in person. This is a general guideline of sizes available. Specifics may vary between manufacturers.

Petite/Small. These are the smallest stock lift chairs available. The chair has an elevating leg rest and a limited reclining backrest. It is designed for comfort while reading or watching television. It may not be well suited for sleeping.
Medium. Accommodates an individual 5’4″ to 5’10” with a 375-pound capacity.
Large. Accommodates an individual 5’11” to 6’2” with a 375-pound capacity.
Tall. Accommodates an individual 6’2″ to 6’8″ with a 375-pound capacity. Some manufacturers offer leg extensions as an alternative.
Wide/XL. Offers a two to four inch wider seat with a 500-pound capacity.
Heavy Duty/XXL. Offers a four inch wider seat with a 600 to 700-pound capacity.

Options

Most chairs are available in a variety of upholstery options. Lift chairs are designed to blend with most decor. Look beyond aesthetics when choosing upholstery. Consider the user’s comfort. Leather is an appealing choice but some people find it cold or too hot and sticky. Is incontinence an issue? There are many easy to clean and stain resistant options.

Many manufacturers offer a variety of options for lift chairs.

Determine which type of cushion best suits the user’s needs. For instance, a tufted backrest will be firmer than a pillow style.
Some manufacturers offer a left-handed remote. This simple adjustment may make a world of difference for ease of operation.
There is a huge selection of options for your chair. These chairs may have optional heated seats and massage features. These items may seem like a luxury expense but could provide a great deal of comfort to an individual who spends extended periods of time in the chair.
Inquire about a battery backup in case of electrical outage.
Extra options such as cup holders and magazine pockets are available on some models.

Lift chairs offer many therapeutic benefits. They can provide hours of comfort and increased independence for your loved one. Take time to research the best fit for your individual needs.

Helpful Articles:

How to select the perfect power lift chair
Budget Friendly Power Lift Chair

Sources
Spinlife: Spinlife’s Guide to Lift Chairs
Preferred Health Choice: Lift Chairs How They Work