Finding the Best Lift Chair

A lift chair is a relining chair that is used by those that can not easily stand up or sit down by themselves. A lifting system is installed in the base of the chair and this system is used to raise the chair to a safe standing position. These chairs also offer reclining backrests and an extendable footrest, so in many ways they are similar to a traditional type of recliner.

Usually two names stick out when you talk about lift recliners and most other types of home medical equipment. These names are Golden Technologies and Pride Mobility, who are both well known in the mobility industry for making high quality reliable products. These companies both got their start over twenty years ago and are today the two most well known manufacturers of lift recliners and many other mobility aids.

When you begin the shopping process, it is important to do a self inventory first, so that you know what type of chair will be the best fit. There are several factors that will need to be considered. One of the most important factors is the weight of the individual that will be using the chair. It is generally recommended to always leave a little padding, to account for weight gain or so you do not need to be concerned about a heavy coat or purse. While not required, it is a good idea to add on an extra 20 pounds for every hundred pounds. This means someone who weighs 150 pounds, would be well suited to choose a chair that supports at least 180 pounds. Of course most chairs support much more than this, with an average weight capacity of around 300 pounds.

While the weight capacity is very important, there are several other factors that will need to be considered. The height of the chairs occupant is almost as important as their weight. The chair should have a listed minimum and maximum height, and you will want to make certain that the user falls into this category. This is because the chair is designed to lift up into the air to a certain height. The height that the chair lifts varies by model. If you fail to follow the height rating, then the chair could rise too high or might not raise enough.

The actual dimensions of the chair are also important, in large part for comfort reasons. Choosing a chair that is too small though, could negatively effect your health, because it could cause chaffing and lead to sores. The two most important dimensions are the seat depth and the seat width. The seat width is the distance from one armrest to the other and the seat depth is the distance from the front of the seat to the backrest. You should use a measuring tape or ruler to measure your existing chair, so you can better relate to the lift chairs measurements. If you don't have a recliner, you can take the posted measurements of the lift chair and measure them out on your couch or even on the table to get a better idea of how they work.

How the chair looks is also usually a consideration, but it is important to first figure out your physical requirements, so you can choose a chair that will safely raise and lower you. There are many different styles to choose from and most come in several different sizes, so finding something you find to be physically attractive and will fit with your existing furnishings is seldom a problem.