Around 19 million people in the U.S. have some level of mobility difficulty. Mobility impairments can impact a person’s quality of life. People with reduced mobility often face challenges when doing everyday tasks.

Why Use a Lift Chair?

People with reduced mobility typically spend more time sitting than usual. Traditional chairs are not designed for long-term sitting usage. With a manually operated chair, the user may find it challenging to achieve their desired position and level of comfort.

The main drawback of manually operated chairs is that the caregiver has to do the heavy lifting when transferring the patient to a bed or a mobility aid. They have to lean over and tug on to the patient to assist them into a standing position.

If a caregiver leans over multiple times to help their patient transition from a seating position to a standing position in a day, they may feel tired and exhausted. Repeated physical exhaustion can lead to caregiver burnout or injuries.

What Is a Lift Chair?

Lift chairs are designed to address these problems. They feature a powered lifting mechanism. It tilts the base and back of the chair forward, assisting the user to a standing position. You can also use the lift feature to get into a comfortable position to watch television or read a book.

The best lift chairs are designed to help maintain good posture and support the spine. They feature high-quality upholstery that provides both comfort and gentle yet firm back support.

Lift chairs are available in a range of colors, sizes, and styles. Many models offer heating and massage options. The control option is placed on the right side of the chair. Top of the line models offer advanced features such as adjustable lumbar supports, multi-positioning options, built-in USB charging ports, head and neck supports, and pre-set seating positions.

Benefits of Lift Chairs

Lift chairs can improve the quality of life of people with reduced mobility. A lift chair helps the user control their seating positions without a caregiver having to adjust the chair manually.

Here are some benefits of using lift chairs:

Reduce Users’ Risk of Edema

Edema is swelling caused due to fluid retention. It occurs due to old age or an underlying medical condition. Mild cases may result from sitting or staying in one position for a long time. Edema often causes itching and increases your risk of ulcers. When you use a lift chair, you can raise your legs to get the blood moving back to your heart.

Increased Independence

Lift chairs help people with reduced mobility reclaim their independence and self-confidence. With a lift chair, you can easily change your postural position. You can go from a sitting position to a sleeping position at the push of a button without any other assistance.

Reduced Risk of Injury

A lift chair can reduce the risk of injury for both you and your caregiver. You will have more control when transitioning from a sitting position to a standing position. You can use armrests for extra support when standing or sitting.

Lift chairs help caregivers safely move patients from chairs to beds without straining their back. They reduce the risk of injury by minimizing the lifting caregivers have to do.

Improved User Health

Lift chairs can improve users’ health in many ways. People with reduced mobility spend most of their time in a chair. Their inability to change their position increases their risk of developing bedsores.

A lift chair allows the user to change their position throughout the day to distribute pressure to different areas. They can use the lift position to rise from the chair to get their blood pumping.

The zero-gravity position of zero-gravity chairs allows for deep breathing. Users find it easier to comfortably get into a position that allows their lungs to open fully while aligning the spine.

Lift chairs can also help reduce muscular aches and soreness. Users can use the massage function or multiple heat settings to improve blood circulation.