Lift Chairs for Seniors: Should You Buy One? - Parent Giving
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Lift Chairs for Seniors are an incredible invention that can enormously impact quality of life. A lift chair can improve mobility and reduce pain and the potential for harmful falls.Despite this, there are some considerations before investing in one.
With all of the benefits of preventing the risks of transferring from sitting to standing comes some disadvantages as well. Though using a lift chair prevents pain and the risk of injury, it also cuts out all of the motion and exercise as well. When the decision to do this is made rashly, this can potentially result in a negative impact on your health.
So, that leads to the big question, should you buy a lift chair for a Senior? Let's take a closer look at this question and see if we can help answer it.
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When a Lift Chair May Be Right for You
If you or someone you are caring for is suffering from aches and soreness, a lift chair can be a perfect option. But, taking out the effort of sitting up and down can lead to greater physical decline. This makes it important to consider the situation and whether or not a lift chair is really appropriate. Let's take a look at some situations where they may be appropriate.
When Mobility Issues Are Severe
At some point, you or someone you care for may find it extremely difficult or impossible to sit or stand on your own without help. This can be distressing as it means a large loss of independence. With a lift chair, you may be able to sit and stand on your own again. So if mobility issues such as severe arthritis, Coronary Vascular Disease, or Congestive Heart Failure have greatly limited your mobility, a lift chair could be just the way to regain some much-needed mobility. This may also be the case for patients with advanced dementia or severe Alzheimers who are losing the ability to control muscle function.
When Safety Is At Risk
One major concern many seniors have that can hold them back from living life to the fullest is the risk of falling and becoming injured. This can lead to considerably reduced movement, considerable stress, and loss of independence.
In this case, a lift chair can reduce not only the risk of injuries but also the fear that is holding you back from leading a more fulfilling life. So, if safety is a strong source of stress, then a lift chair may be just the way to alleviate that concern and improve your quality of life.
Help Caregivers
Oftentimes caregivers want to help as much as they possibly can, but helping to sit and stand can take considerable time if it is not absolutely necessary. Plus, not all caregivers may have an easy time lifting someone up from a sitting position. When caregivers need an extra hand, it may be time to invest in a lift chair.
When Not to Buy a Lift Chair
As we said, a lift chair is not always the right decision, and the reason for this is because it is not always necessary. Since using one can greatly reduce the amount of exercise both of body and mind you get from sitting up and down, this means that there should be a good reason to choose to use one.
When arthritis or dementia is still manageable, it is important to continue using muscle function to prevent further loss. Just the same when more than a few months past cardiovascular surgery, the use of these muscles is important to help recovery.
It is important to continue using your body's own ability to sit and stand as long as you are capable of it in order to prevent a loss of function. However, when situations like those we presented above outweigh potentially accelerating a loss of physical function, a lift chair is the right choice.
Pros of Using a Lift Chair
There are a number of pros to a lift chair despite any downsides. So, to help you decide if a lift chair is right for you, let's take a look at them.
- Saving Energy for What's Important: With only so much energy to go around in a day, everyone has to make a choice on how they want to spend it. As you get older or suffer from a stroke, even simple tasks such as standing up and sitting down can take more energy, and conserving it becomes even more important. With a lift chair, instead of spending time and energy sitting up and down, you can spend it with friends and family as well as getting any important chores you need to be done finished.
- Avoid Overusing Your Joints: When arthritis becomes severe, using your joints can be a pain that only becomes worse the more they are used. A lift chair can go a long way to preventing the overuse of your joints.
- Reducing the Burden on Caregivers: When you need help getting in, and out of your recliner every time, it can be a difficult task for any caregiver. With a lift chair, it can take a heavy weight off of their shoulders.
- Safer Self Transfers: Getting on and off your recliner can result in falls and injury for those with difficulty sitting or standing. With a lift chair, it is far easier to maintain control after standing, and there is far less risk of caregivers losing their grip helping you up.
- Doubles as a Bed: Many seniors also struggle with getting in and out of bed, and this is one of the riskiest places for suffering from a harmful fall. This is why many seniors choose a recliner lift chair with a Zero Gravity Position. This allows the reclining lift chair to double as a bed, and this can also reduce swelling in your legs caused by issues such as surgery, coronary artery disease, or peripheral artery disease.
Cons of Using a Lift Chair
The cons of lift chairs are simple, the reduced effort from not using your body as much means less exercise and ordinary movement in the day. When you don’t push yourself to stand up or sit down, this can lead to a loss of physical ability. With this loss of ability can come a greater loss of independence and quality of life.
Final Thoughts
So to address our original question, should you buy a lift chair for Seniors? Yes, definitely, if the benefits of senior safety, ease, and independence outweigh the risks that come with less physical exertion. For a great number of seniors, this product can be a blessing that can restore a piece of independence and make life just a bit easier.