If you find yourself wondering “Are lift chairs good for seniors or the elderly?”, you’re not alone. There is a lot of confusion about this on the part of family caregivers and even seniors alike. Unfortunately, some of the confusion is due to well meaning physical therapists!
The new electric lift chairs for the elderly can be a positive addition to anyone who is wanting to age in place safely. They can help reduce falls, reduce the caregiver’s burden when trying to help a person get up from their chair, and help keep a person as independent as possible. The chairs are generally safe and designed with the needs of elderly folks in mind. They often have features like extra cushioning for comfort, and added back and neck support built in. They also come in different sizes and styles to fit your specific needs and preferences.
The actual benefit comes from being able to help an older person, or someone with weakness or painful joints stand up easily from a comfortable chair. I have written in a couple of places about this problem (here and here). Many people are challenged when trying to get up from a low surface because of poor technique, pain, or weakness. Having a chair that actually lifts you to the proper height can make the task a lot easier.
However, the problem that many have, and this is where physical therapists are coming from, is that using the lift chair, when you have the strength and capacity to get up on your own just makes you weaker and more reliant on the chair to do the work for you. This is what you want to avoid.
Another problem that I have seen working with individuals in their home is that lift chairs, and recliner chairs in general, can become “traps” for the unsuspecting. What I mean by this is that many people begin to “live” in their recliners, often spending most of their waking and sleeping hours in the chair.
Many of my patients tell me they can no longer sleep in their beds because they cannot get comfortable or lying flat causes too much pain. My suspicion is that their bodies have become “shaped” to the recliner and being in any other position for an extended period hurts.
As physical therapists we want people to be aware of this possibility and take steps to avoid it at all costs.
Overall, electric lift chairs can be, and are a great help for many older folks who want to live independently and maintain as much independence and mobility as possible without having to rely on family for assistance. It can be a good piece of furniture to have that will make life a little easier for seniors and the elderly.
Bryan Williams
Physical Therapist
is a licensed therapist with near 30 years of professional experience treating a diverse patient population in a multitude of settings. With simple strategies, he educates and empowers his clients with simple strategies to help them move better and with less pain.