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As people age, it becomes harder to do simple things once possibly taken for granted—like standing up from a chair. But for seniors who value their independence and want to do as much on their own as possible, a power lift chair can be an excellent investment.
Choosing the right lift chair can feel overwhelming, so here’s a look at exactly what these chairs can provide and what to look for when purchasing one. FEATURED PARTNER OFFER Partner Offers feature brands who paid Forbes Health to appear at the top of our list. While this may influence where their products or services appear on our site, it in no way affects our ratings, which are based on thorough research, solid methodologies and expert advice. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or servicesVive Health Lift ChairGreat support for those who have knee, hip and back issuesProviding a smooth motion, the lift chair features a powerful motor to quietly lift and recline the chairWell-padded, the soft lift chair is upholstered with material that is easy to cleanTarget the upper back, lumbar region, thighs and calves with soothing massageIncludes a pre-assembled base and backrest for easy, tool-free setupShop NowOn Vive Health's Website
A lift chair is a recliner-style seat that uses a motor to help a person safely and easily get out of it from a seated position. The powerlifting mechanism inside pushes the entire chair up from its base to assist the user to stand up. While it might sound like a luxury, for many people, it’s a necessity.
Lift chairs can also help seniors sit down from the standing position safely and comfortably. “For seniors who struggle to stand up or sit down, this [assistance] can help decrease pain and potentially ease anxiety,” says Josie Rhoades, vice president of clinical operations at BrightStar Care, a national private-duty home care and medical staff franchise. Seniors who struggle to sit or stand on their own can end up overly relying on their arms and may end up slipping or harming themselves.
The reclining positions of lift chairs also provide benefits. “Seniors often require the use of a lift chair because the chair’s lifting and reclining positions help elevate their legs to reduce the excess buildup of fluid and improves circulation in their legs,” says Rhoades.
According to Rhoades, there are three main types of lift chairs:
There are many details to think about when searching for the perfect lift chair. And in some cases, you may want to speak to your doctor about the best ones for you. Consider:
Buy Now: Available on Amazon.
Lift chairs are not only comfortable pieces of furniture, but also have many physical and emotional benefits.
On the flip side, there are some negative aspects of lift chairs as well.
According to Rhoades, lift chairs can range in price from as little as $600 to more than $1,000, depending on the type and extra features you want. For example, a two-position lift chair may be less expensive than an infinite position lift chair.
If you don’t want to invest in a lift chair for the long term, then consider renting one. Medical equipment rental stores in your area may offer lift chair rentals for a price lower than the cost of purchasing a new one.
A lift chair may be covered by your insurance once your physician formally notes its medical necessity and files that information with your insurance company. According to Rhoades, the following requirements must be met for a lift chair to be covered by insurance:
Relax and Relieve Back and Hip Pain The Vive Lift Chair smoothly raises and tilts forward to relieve pressure on the knees, hips and back and reclines in any position for rest and relaxation. The power recline feature and 5 massage modes provides ultimate comfort at the click of a button. Shop Now On Vive Health's Website
Relax and Relieve Back and Hip Pain
The Vive Lift Chair smoothly raises and tilts forward to relieve pressure on the knees, hips and back and reclines in any position for rest and relaxation. The power recline feature and 5 massage modes provides ultimate comfort at the click of a button.
Information provided on Forbes Health is for educational purposes only. Your health and wellness is unique to you, and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment plans. For personal advice, please consult with a medical professional.
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Jessica Booth is a New York-based freelance writer who regularly writes about health, wellness, parenting, food, travel, beauty and more for a variety of publications. She currently writes for Forbes Health, Insider, The Daily Beast, Brides, Redbook, Woman's Day, Women's Health, Scary Mommy, Romper and Life Savvy. Her byline has also appeared on Refinery 29, Cosmopolitan, Delish, Greatist, The Inventory, and Bustle. She previously worked as the editor-in-chief of Gurl.com, part of Defy Media.
Mobile Nursing Lift Chair Alena is a professional writer, editor and manager with a lifelong passion for helping others live well. She is also a registered yoga teacher (RYT-200) and a functional medicine certified health coach. She brings more than a decade of media experience to Forbes Health, with a keen focus on building content strategy, ensuring top content quality and empowering readers to make the best health and wellness decisions for themselves.