How do you know if you need a lift chair?

A lift chair is differentiated from an ordinary comfort seat by the inclusion of a mechanical lifting mechanism that raises the chair and tilts it forward. This repositioning allows you to simply and easily lie backwards into the chair to get into it or to plant your feet on the ground and stand up to get out of it without exerting the energy and flexibility required to go from a fully sitting to a fully standing position. Typically, power lift chairs are controlled by a remote or integrated button pad, either of which are easy to use with only a few simple buttons.

Here is how a typical lift chair works.

How do you know if a lift chair is right for you? If you have trouble sitting in your chair from a standing position – or, more likely, getting back to a standing position from the depths of your chair – a lift chair can make a huge difference. The lift takes pressure off of your knee joints and lower body muscles, which can make sitting and standing much easier, safer, and more comfortable. As a result, lift chairs are ideal not only for elderly people, but also for people who have recently undergone surgery, people who struggle with muscle balance because of weight, or people with other musculoskeletal issues.

However, be sure to check with your doctor before investing in a lift chair. People with pacemakers sometime face difficulty finding a lift chair that can work for them, since the electronics in these chairs can create a magnetic field that interferes dangerously with the pacemaker. In addition, people who are significantly overweight may have trouble finding a chair that is able to safely accommodate them.

Features to consider when buying a lift chair

Dimensions

One of the most important considerations to think about from the outset when looking at lift chairs are the dimensions of the chair. This includes both the overall dimensions of the chair itself and the dimensions of the seat.

The maximum overall dimensions of the chair should be determined according to where you plan to put the chair. Lift chairs are significantly larger than typical chairs and it is essential to account for the additional space taken up by the chair when it is lifted or fully reclined. Be sure to measure carefully, and when in doubt budget extra space around your lift chair.

The size of the seat is also important to consider, since this will be important in determining whether the chair will be comfortable for you. Some chairs offer a wide seat that is better for heavyset people, while other chairs are narrower and more ideal for slim people. At the same time, the height of the lumbar pad in the chair’s back and the height of the headrest can vary, so be sure to compare these to your own height and remember that you are likely to sink into the seat of the chair when sitting down and reclining.

Weight capacity

For elderly people who are on the heavy side, it is essential to check the weight capacity of whatever lift chair you are interested in buying. Most lift chairs are capable of seating people up to 300 pounds, while some chairs like those from Merax and Harper & Bright Designs are able to seat people up to 330 pounds. Staying within the weight limit of the chair is very important for safety, since exceeding this rating can cause the lift mechanism to fail catastrophically and cause severe injury. Even in less extreme cases, exceeding the rated weight capacity of the chair will likely reduce its lifespan and wear out the lift motor.

Safety features

Although safety might not seem like an issue with a chair, the introduction of the lift mechanism means that safety is a real concern. In the event that the power goes out, how will you get out of your chair? Some chairs, like the Pulaski Montreal lift chair, come with a built-in battery backup so that they are able to deal with exactly this situation. Even if your chair does not come with a battery backup, it is important to think about how you will operate your chair in the event of a backup or other unexpected emergency.

Upholstery material

The upholstery material is the thing you are most likely to notice every time you sit down in your chair since it determines how the chair will feel against your skin. Different upholstery materials also affect whether the chair is breathable or sticky on a hot day, and whether different types of spills are likely to leave a lasting stain or clean right out without an issue.

The majority of lift chairs are upholstered with synthetic types of leather, and most commonly polyurethane leather. This material is far less expensive than genuine leather but provides many of the same benefits and aesthetics. In addition to giving your chair a high-quality appearance, synthetic leather upholstery is considered very comfortable against the skin by most people. Synthetic leather is also extremely durable, both because it is resistant to rips and because it is difficult to stain – most liquids will simply bead up rather than sink into the material. However, the downside to synthetic leather is that it is not particularly breathable and can begin to feel sticky if you are sitting in the chair for extended periods on a hot day.

Other lift chairs, like the Pulaski Montreal, are upholstered with polyester, which proves a cloth feel and appearance to the chair.



Polyester is very soft and comfortable on a new chair and far more breathable than synthetic leather, but it is less durable in the long run since it is prone to staining easily and can rip far more easily than leather.

Warranty

A lift chair is a large investment, so you want to know that your purchase is going to last. Manufacturers warranties on lift chairs range from less than one year to as much as five years, as on the chair from Ashley Furniture. These warranties typically cover the lift motor, which is the most likely part of the chair to break as a result of a manufacturing defect, rather than covering wear and tear on the upholstery.