Reclining chair that she can use easily and safely unaided

Dick in San Jose

I want to find an appropriate reclining chair for my wife, Barbara. It should have a firmly padded seat that she can stand up from using her own strength and should recline under her control (powered or not). While compressed by her weight, the seat's top should be about 20 inches off the floor (preferably adjustable). 

She has and likes an ordinary Lazyboy recliner but has increasing trouble standing up from it. Even fully erected, the seat slopes back, and the seat is soft and low. I have found powered recliners that lift the patient to step out of the seat. She couldn't recline in and straighten those chairs without also having access to the power lift. But due to her dementia, I don't want her to use power lift. She is too confused to use a power lift-up function right, let alone safely. (She scores 6e on the FAST demential scale.) 

I'd buy a powered chair so long as she can recline the chair without power-lift movements, and I can keep the lift controls out of her reach. 

Who can recommend suitable chairs? or recommend where to inquire?

Dick

zauberflote

Dick, welcome!, and sorry you have to be here. I don't know how LazyBoys work! But it sounds like she can work the one she has, but cannot get put of it. Can you customize the seating area so it's easier to get out of? Call a custom upholsterer maybe? It might not cost more than a whole new recliner. I don't know where you'll find one just how you need it-- I always thought the point of recliners was to keep you in a squashy nest lol!

​fesk

I'd recommend visiting a medical supply store to see what options are available. I ordered my mom's recliner though there.

Jo C.

There is much more to choosing a recliner or recliner/lift chair for successful use than one would think.  Here is some information that may help in making a good decision when choosing a recliner and/or lift chair.

Since such chairs are pricey, it would be good to know whether you want to invest in a recliner only chair, or if you think it would be wise to get a reclining chair that is also a lift chair as needs change and evolve.   It is also important to measure the intended chair user and know the users weight so as to be successful in getting the proper chair "fit."  The more a person weighs, the more sturdy the frame, etc. will be.

If insurance will cover, it will cover only the chair lift mechanism; they do not cover the chair itself as the lift mechanism is considered a medical need/device and  the rest of the chair is considered "furniture." 

NOTE: To be covered by most insurances that  have coverage; most insurances, including Medicare have criteria that the insured must be able to stand and be able to walk, even if with a walker or canes.  A doctor's order is needed and there must be a medical condition for need for a lift chair; this must be a condition involving the ability to stand; so the knees, hips, etc. would be acceptable, back pain would usually not be.  ALSO:  If one has had a wheelchair or scooter covered by their insurance, they will often NOT cover a lift chair.  This is discussed in one of the links below.  Many stores will not work with insurance, so if this is important to you, ask ahead of time before making a choice for purchase.

   

Recliner/lift chairs can be found at both furniture stores as well as at many medical supply stores.  There is a different approach and assistance between stores and store types, so I personally would look at several of both types of stores, gain knowledge and then make my choice.  It is important to ask before purchase:  Once in the home, if the chair does not work out for the user, is there a return policy and if so, how does it work and is there a fee for returns.  

If this is a purchase for yourself or a Loved One with a disability or for a Loved One who may have dementia, I  am including some informative links below, and it is a good idea, if there are significant issues; if you can, to get PT and/or OT input so you know how to measure your loved one for a chair fit and what to look for.

One of the below links is with two Physical Therapists; it is a little slow, but there are many hints re chairs and rising from chairs and other handy hints.

The other links discuss sizes and weight for chair fit as well as criteria for insurance coverage, fabric, motors, and much more.

First, chair height from seat to floor makes a huge difference as does inside chair width from side to side as well as inside depth from front  to back and for users actual weight.  It all makes a huge difference not only in use, but also in some instances, in the life of the chair.

Oversized plush armrests as well as short armrests are counterproductive making it extremely difficult or impossible to help the user lift oneself out of the chair for pushing off when standing..  One needs to have a narrower, firm more solid upholstered set of full length armrests.  Personally; I would not purchase a very plush chair with over-stuffed backrests, seat, etc.  All of the cushioned areas will compress over time and can affect the fit of the chair and ease of use. Best to stick to the simpler upholstered chair without all the deep plush extra cushioning. Plush headrests also can push the head forward and cause neck pain as well as being uncomfortable for TV watching. 

With some chairs, whenever one puts the foot rest up, the chair back automatically reclines.  That is not always a good dynamic as some individuals want their feet up but also want to sit upright to be able to visit with others or to watch TV.  So; in many cases, this can be accommodated by an electric control chair with two motors; one for the footrest and one for the backrest.  If one can operate the controls, that is great; for others such as those who have dementia, it may take the caregiver to operate the mechanism to get the correct positioning.

With some electrically operated chairs, the control can actually be programmed for automatic desired position for backrest, footrest, recline position and if a lift chair, for the lift mechanism.

In the side, non-electric operating mechanism, it can take a significant amount of leg strength to get the footrest down so one can stand; this can be dangerous if the user cannot make that happen and then tries to get up anyway trying to get off the chair sideways with the footrest still up and extended; this is a significant fall risk.

If choosing an electrically controlled chair there are of course multiple parts that can develop issues, so look carefully at warranty for the motors; that is where the most important warranty coverage is.  NOTE:   Also look to see if the chair has battery power backup; some do and this may be important if there is a power outage. With a lift capability, some chairs do this nicely but other chairs seem to put a person in an uncomfortable feeling like they are going to fall situation.  Fit and capability is again very important.

Also check the warranty to see if there is a lifetime warranty for the frame or mechanisms; some do have this.  Just check carefully for the warranty information as these chairs will often be in daily use and are usually kept for a very long time.

Fabrics take on importance for this heavily used furniture.  Check the wear testing that is done for a possible fabric choice.  Is the chair user incontinent or more apt to spill drinks, etc?  If so, then choosing a fabric that can withstand accidents becomes a primary concern.  There are some fabrics, (not cloth) that can be cleaned with a disinfectant; if this is important to you, ask about it as not all non-cloth fabrics can withstand disinfectant use.

NOTE:  Try to buy a chair from a well known company AND if possible, one that will sell parts directly to the consumer.  Furniture stores and medical supply stores can go out of business and most often, stores do not carry chair parts anyway, so that can be important.   These chairs are expensive and being able to get parts can become important over time.

Check to see delivery fee; sometimes this can be negotiated.  When checking delivery; be sure to ask if this includes the chair being taken to its place in the house and if it includes setup; if an electrically operated chair with battery backup, find out if the delivery service will install the batteries.

Links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_m5qNdrKjM8

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYb-v8Q2r_k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HsO1K2WKFU

 Best of wishes being sent your way in finding the right chair for your dear wife,

J.

Marta

Any piece of equipment that involves technology of any kind, she will not be able to use for long, if at all. 

You may welcome a time when she requires assistance to get out of a chair, as it reduces pacing and wandering. Of course, the degree of physical assistance will increase, and that’s on you. 

Sorry to be pessimistic, but I wouldn’t want you to invest in an expensive chair that becomes superfluous in the very near future. 

May flowers

I don’t know if it helps any but Lazyboy sells risers for their chairs which can help in the interim. Whatever you do, if it were me, I would hang on to the Lazyboy, because at some point a LO may be so unsteady that not being able to get out of a chair (without assistance) won’t be a bad thing.