As I have written before, here and here, many seniors have difficulty standing up from a seated position. It’s not uncommon to hear about this particular issue when talking to (or overhearing) the elderly. This is especially true if the elderly have had an illness or hospitalization. Many people think that it’s because they’re up in age. In fact, many chalk it up to drops in muscle strength, trouble with balance, or limited joint mobility.
This difficulty with being able to stand up from a chair can lead to a host of problems, including falls and decreased mobility. And because of fear of falling, it can also contribute to feelings of depression and loss of independence.
Why Do The Elderly Have Difficulty Standing Up From a Chair or Sofa
In a lot of cases, seniors may think that there is something more wrong with them than there is and make excuses. “my arthritis is acting up and it hurts when I try to stand up”. This is a common one. Other rationalizations include “I’m too fat” or, “I’m just too weak” or even, “I am just too old”. In a lot of these cases, the answer is a little more simple. They simply are sitting on a sofa or chair that’s too soft and they can’t get out of it.
Many people have this particular problem and need a solution to it. One solution that many find works for them is the Able Life Universal Stand Assist. It can help folks that need a little better leverage when trying to push up from a soft chair or sofa. Because sometimes you need something firm to push from, this particular product gives a person 2 secure handles to hold onto and use to help them get up from their favorite spot. Because the handles are solid and can be gripped tightly, seniors have better balance and safety when standing up. Having a firm grip will help prevent falls and boost confidence and independence.
This product is designed to help individuals with limited mobility stand up from a seated position, without the need for assistance from others. The Able Life Universal Stand Assist is easy to install and use, and can be a game-changer for those who struggle with standing up due to weakness or balance issues.
One of the reasons people like this product is the design tries to be universal. That is, it can be used in many different settings and on different furniture. It can be attached to most chairs and couches, making it a flexible option for most homes. Its fairly compact and doesn’t take up too much room wherever you need to use it.
The handles are adjustable and you can position them to fit yourself or your loved one. They can also be rotated out of the way when no one needs to use them. Also, the handles are padded to make it easier on the hands when in use. People with arthritis or frail hands will like this touch. is padded. And since the height and thickness of sofa and chair cushions can vary from home to home, you can also adjust the legs so they will fit your chair or couch.
Most of the reviews that I’ve seen are pretty positive and the following is some of the positive feedback people have given:
- Easy to install
- Easy to fit to different chairs/sofas
- Easy to use
- It’s sturdy
Naturally, not all people thought that this product was what they needed. Some prefer something similar but even easier to set up. Neither is a one size fits all thing. But it is one of the most popular stand assist items on Amazon that helps a person stand up from a chair independently without the help of someone else being there.
Another Device To Help Elderly Stand Up
Although the Able Life Universal Stand Assist is pretty easy to use, Stand-A- Roo makes a similar tool that works just as well. And it seems a little easier to set up. This little device is designed to fit under the removeable cushion of a sofa or chair to provide support to seniors when they stand up from their favorite spot.
This thing is pretty lightweight and a breeze to move from one piece of furniture to the next and in different rooms of the home. It’s also easy to pack and stow if you need to take it to the home of a relative or friend. You’re able to adjust the height and width so that, as long as the cushion is removeable, it’ll fit most anywhere. It also comes with non-slip rubber padding to make sure it stays in place.
Like the Able Life stand assist, it has padded handles making it more comfortable for older hands to grasp and push off from. It’s easy to put together and you don’t need any tools to do so making set up quick and easy for most anyone.
Overall, this standing aide would be an excellent investment for anyone who struggles with standing up on their own. So, if your loved one spends a good deal of time alone and you’re not there to help them up from their chair or sofa, this item might make life a little easier and relieve some of the stress you may feel when you’re away from them. It’s affordable, easy to use, and provides the support and stability needed to improve quality of life.
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.