Power Lift Recliners for Seniors

Last Updated on April 25, 2024 by Rachel

Power lift recliners support those who need a little additional help standing up from a seated posture. They also make it easier for persons with restricted mobility to move around. In essence, they give mobility alternatives that may be personalized in the design and color of one’s choice, solving a practical problem in a fashionable way.

Choosing the best recliner lift chair for one’s needs can be a daunting task, but with a professional’s assistance, it can be made much easier. The following is a guide to selecting the best lift chair recliner.

What is a Power Lift Recliner?

Power lift recliners are structured to assist in effortlessly lifting a person from a sitting to a standing position while still providing assistance and comfort. They accomplish this with the help of a second motor designed to transition the chair from a seated to a raised position, thus offering gentle assistance to a standing posture with the touch of a button. They are also known as lift chair recliners and are ideal for those who have leg, back, or balance issues, or who have recently had surgery that has limited their mobility. They are also beneficial to the elderly, who may find it difficult to rise from a seated position.

Benefits of Power Lift Recliners

The elderly who experiences reduced mobility benefit the most from using lift chair recliners. Lift chairs are essential for those in hospice care and in nursing homes because they work similarly to adjustable bed bases and provide greater ease of use, resulting in a higher quality of life.

People with disabilities benefit from recliner lift chairs as well because they aid in movement, allowing them to maintain more independence.

They are also necessary for anybody recovering from surgery or other exhaustive medical procedures because they can give a slight boost to the recovery process and a little nudge toward returning to normal after a surgical procedure.

Different Types of Power Lift Recliners

They differ in terms of the degree of reclining they can achieve, the recline mechanism, and the position of the footrest.

Two Position Lift Chairs: They tilt backwards to a 45-degree angle, allowing the user to lean back slightly. This is a popular reading and TV viewing position for many people.

Three-Position Lift Chairs: These may cease reclining at any angle between nearly flat and almost upright. With the backrest lowered and the knees and feet higher than their hips, the user’s body will be in a little “V” shape at the hips. This is ideal for naps or for those who can’t fall asleep flat in a bed. With a three-position lift chair, you can also read and watch TV.

Infinite Position Lift Chairs: They may recline to a completely flat position and are also referred to as zero gravity or full-recline chairs. Some designs allow users to elevate their feet over their heads into therapeutic postures. The Trendelenburg posture elevates the user’s feet above their head to relieve lower back strain and boost blood flow. The head should be slightly higher than the hips in the Zero Gravity position, and the lower body should be higher than the heart with the knees slightly bent. This position eases pressure on the spine, relaxes tense muscles, and boosts circulation.

What to look for when choosing the best power lift recliner

Reclining Configurations

There are different types of lift chair recliners, two-position, three-position and infinite position. These determine the remote-control operation of the reclining lift chair. A single motor powers both two-position and three-position chairs, allowing the headrest and footrest to being controlled by the same lever. The leg rest will rise in tandem with the back reclining. In other words, in order to recline, the leg rest must be raised.

Two-position chairs recline only backwards by around 45 degrees from the upright position, hence are ideal for viewing TV or reading. They are the least expensive of the three and perfect for giving short-term support following an injury or surgery. They are not the best option, though, if you intend to sit on the chair for lengthy periods of time.

While they do fully recline, three-position chairs do not lay flat for sleeping. They have only one motor and are perfect for snoozing semi-upright. They can only place themselves wherever along their line of travel, which extends from reclining to standing.

Chairs with infinite positions can be adjusted to recline flat or, in certain cases, far enough to allow the feet to rest over the heart, which is ideal for people who have swellings in their legs and ankles. A person can sit upright with the footrest raised thanks to the two motors that enable the chair and footrest to work separately using separate control buttons. This is the greatest choice for people who intend to spend a lot of time sitting still.

Size

It is important to think about how the chair will fit in the place that it is intended for as well as if the user’s height and weight will be comfortable for it. This should be taken into account by the user as well because it will affect how deep the seat cushion is. To fit the hips at their broadest point, the seat must be roomy. Additionally, the distance from the top of the seat cushion to the top of the chair back must be sufficient to support the user’s head and neck, or about two inches above the point at where the head rests on the headrest.

Additionally, the user should be aware that for stability, the feet must remain on the ground when the user is seated in the chair and throughout the entire motion. From a seated position, it is dangerous to have feet hanging above the floor because the lift function can cause one to slide to the floor as it is raised.

Space

The size of lift chairs is comparable to that of recliners. Take into account the space where the chair will be positioned. Standard models move both outwardly and backwards. It may be difficult to fit a lift recliner in confined spaces because they often need to be placed 18 to 22 inches from the wall. Wall-hugger variants let the lift chair function within 4 to 6 inches of a wall if there isn’t much room. These little units slide forward without bumping into the wall behind them after starting out against a wall.

Upholstery

Power lift chairs come in a variety of tough, lovely fabrics, from linen to synthetic leather. It is advisable to pick a material and color that go well with your style and your environment. Remember that leather and vinyl don’t breathe as well as fabric or even synthetic leather, which could cause perspiration if residing in a warm climate. Leather is ill-advised for sitting for extended periods of time, furthermore, it’s usually more expensive.

Advanced Features

The greatest lift chairs come with a variety of features that can improve their usability, comfort, and accessibility. A vibrating massage function, heat, cup holders, and USB charging connections are all included in higher-end seats. Most have a side pocket for a remote.

To make it easier for wheelchair users to enter lift recliners from the side, some of them have removable armrests. However, on the mass market, this feature could be more difficult to find and might even require a special order.

Warranty

Moving parts are abundant in powered furniture. Ensure that the manufacturer or seller provides a warranty covering the chair’s repair or replacement for at least a year in case a problem arises. Also, ensure to carefully read the warrant, and get in touch with the manufacturer should any questions arise.

Best Power Lift Recliners for Seniors

Vive Health Lift Chair

• It offers excellent assistance for people with knee, hip, and back problems.
• It has a strong motor that softly raises and reclines the chair in a smooth motion.
• It is well-padded and has a material that is easy to clean.
• Use a relaxing massage to concentrate on the upper back, lumbar region, thighs, and calves.
• It includes a base and backrest that are already put together for quick, tool-free assembly.

To learn more about this recliner lift chair, check out https://www.vivehealth.com/products/lift-chair-recliner?rfsn=6766293.231148

Homall Recliner Chair Padded Single Sofa Recliner: Best for the Disabled Seniors

• It has curved armrests that may be adjusted to fit a person’s needs as well as retractable footrests.
• It has twin stitching and hence is sturdy and durable.
• Due to the steel used in its construction, it can support heavy loads.
• Its hypoallergenic leather eliminates unpleasant odors.
• It is inexpensive and simple to set up.

To learn more about this lift chair, check out https://www.newegg.com/p/1ZB-001W-00029

La-Z-Boy Lift Recliners: Best for people recovering from surgery

• It has an electronic wand that lets you raise and recline the chair with the touch of a button.
• It has a wide range of positions that keeps the user comfortable during their recovery period.
• It is easy to operate with the lowest amount of effort.
• It is easily customizable to suit specific needs.

To learn more about this lift chair, check out https://www.la-z-boy.com/mb/recliners-lift-chairs/_/N-7g6b8o