What is a Lift Chair?
A lift chair, also known as a power recliner or lift recliner, is a special chair that makes sitting down and standing up easier for individuals with limited mobility that impacts their daily life.
The lift mechanism on a power recliner is controlled by an electric motor. With the press of a button, the lift mechanism effortlessly raises the user from a seated position to a standing position.
This convenient feature is ideal for seniors, people recovering from surgery, caregivers, and those with joint pain. This article will explain how lift chairs work, the numerous benefits, and how they can improve one’s daily life.
What are the Benefits?
1. Reduced Risk of Injury
For seniors and people with mobility issues, sitting down and standing up is a huge challenge and safety concern. Physical challenges like arthritis, muscle weakness, and Parkinson’s disease can turn simple daily movements into very difficult and frustrating tasks.
Many injuries and falls have occurred when mobility-impaired individuals attempt to stand up from recliner chairs and sofas.
The lift mechanism on lift chairs eliminates this danger by slowly raising the user to a standing position giving them a sense of confidence and independence to stand on their own without fear of injuring themselves.
2. Enhanced Comfort and Relaxation
Lift chairs not only assist with mobility issues but also provide a comfortable resting place for those looking to relax and unwind during the day and night from their aches and pains.
The softly padded seats and armrests provide ample support as you recline back into your ideal position. If you suffer from back pain, activate the powered footrest to elevate your legs taking the pressure off your lower back giving it the rest it needs.
For ultimate relaxation and satisfaction, the best lift recliners come equipped with heat and massage settings to loosen tights muscles and relieve joint discomfort after a long day.
When you find a position you love, high-quality power recliners allow you to customize and save your favorite reclining positions. This is beneficial for individuals who use their lift chair on a regular basis.
3. Improved Circulation and Less Swelling
Sitting for long periods of time can restrict blood flow and cause swelling in the legs and feet. Lift chairs decrease the risk of this with the Zero-gravity position that raises your legs above your heart, using gravity to increase circulation and reduce swelling.
By raising the legs above heart level, your weight is evenly distributed reducing pressure on the body allowing the heart to efficiently pump blood throughout the body.
People recovering from surgery or conditions like heart failure can benefit from this position helping to prevent further complications such as blood clots.
Many users often discover the chair’s powered footrest can help reduce lower leg swelling and pain after a long day. Elevating the legs uses gravity to help prevent fluid buildup and minimize edema reducing painful swelling in the ankles and feet.
4. Stress Relief
In addition to improving mobility, power lift recliners can be used as a wellness tool to decrease stress in your life.
These recliners may come equipped with built-in heat and massage functions that stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, the part of the body that controls the body’s ability to relax.
As you sit back and relax in your lift chair, heat and soothing vibrations decrease the production of cortisol and other stress hormones creating a peace-like feeling to ease stress.
5. Pressure Relief
Lift chairs are a vital resource for individuals who spend long periods of time sitting that are prone to developing pressure sores or skin ulcers. The chairs feature multiple adjustable recline settings that allow users to shift positions and distribute their body weight evenly.
This prevents skin breakdown and promotes blood flow, reducing the risk of painful sores and constant pressure on vulnerable areas.
What Health Conditions Benefit from Lift Chairs?
1. Arthritis and Chronic Pain
For seniors and people with mobility issues, sitting down and standing up is a huge challenge and safety concern. Physical challenges like arthritis, muscle weakness, and Parkinson’s disease can turn simple daily movements into very difficult and frustrating tasks.
Many injuries and falls have occurred when mobility-impaired individuals attempt to stand up from recliner chairs and sofas.
The lift mechanism on lift chairs eliminates this danger by slowly raising the user to a standing position giving them a sense of confidence and independence to stand on their own without fear of injuring themselves.
2. Recovery after Surgery
Lift chairs not only assist with mobility issues but also provide a comfortable resting place for those looking to relax and unwind during the day and night from their aches and pains.
The softly padded seats and armrests provide ample support as you recline back into your ideal position. If you suffer from back pain, activate the powered footrest to elevate your legs taking the pressure off your lower back giving it the rest it needs.
For ultimate relaxation and satisfaction, the best lift recliners come equipped with heat and massage settings to loosen tights muscles and relieve joint discomfort after a long day.
When you find a position you love, high-quality power recliners allow you to customize and save your favorite reclining positions. This is beneficial for individuals who use their lift chair on a regular basis.
3. Respiratory Problems
Sitting for long periods of time can restrict blood flow and cause swelling in the legs and feet. Lift chairs decrease the risk of this with the Zero-gravity position that raises your legs above your heart, using gravity to increase circulation and reduce swelling.
By raising the legs above heart level, your weight is evenly distributed reducing pressure on the body allowing the heart to efficiently pump blood throughout the body.
People recovering from surgery or conditions like heart failure can benefit from this position helping to prevent further complications such as blood clots.
Many users often discover the chair’s powered footrest can help reduce lower leg swelling and pain after a long day. Elevating the legs uses gravity to help prevent fluid buildup and minimize edema reducing painful swelling in the ankles and feet.
4. Balance and Mobility Impairments
In addition to improving mobility, power lift recliners can be used as a wellness tool to decrease stress in your life.
These recliners may come equipped with built-in heat and massage functions that stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, the part of the body that controls the body’s ability to relax.
As you sit back and relax in your lift chair, heat and soothing vibrations decrease the production of cortisol and other stress hormones creating a peace-like feeling to ease stress.
5. Bed and Pressure Sores
Lift chairs are a vital resource for individuals who spend long periods of time sitting that are prone to developing pressure sores or skin ulcers. The chairs feature multiple adjustable recline settings that allow users to shift positions and distribute their body weight evenly.
This prevents skin breakdown and promotes blood flow, reducing the risk of painful sores and constant pressure on vulnerable areas.