According to CDC data, almost 20 percent of American adults had mobility issues in 2019 alone. This means they have difficulty walking, climbing steps, or even more straightforward tasks like getting out of bed or up off the couch.
As people age, they’re prone to degenerative illnesses that make moving hard. Common ailments include arthritis, heart or organ conditions, or physical injuries.
Daily activities can become a challenge. Caregivers suffer from extra strain having to lift or move people with disabilities.
Most rehab mobility specialists would agree, lift chairs are a solution that offers patients and caregivers a safer environment. They have more comfort and greater independence.
Let’s learn why a lift chair is worth the investment for you or your loved one in the Roanoke, VA area.
What is a Lift Chair?
Lift chairs for accessibility look very similar to a cozy plush recliner. However, lift chairs are a piece of medical mobility equipment that contains a lifting system that pushes the sitter into an upright position. Once the person is almost standing, they can easily transition to walking by simply straightening their back.
With just a simple press of a button, someone who once had to rely on others to assist them can now help themselves.
Lift chairs come in various styles and sizes to suit everyone from the most petite of stature to the tallest and most expansive. Manufacturers upholster the chairs in everything from easy-clean vinyl to luxury leather. Optional features include built-in massage and heat devices.
What Makes Lift Chairs Useful?
Lift chairs provide a plethora of health benefits for not only the user but also those caring for them as well. They are perfect for people with disabilities and those hindered by injury, age-related illnesses, or balance issues.
- No More Injuries During Transfers
The most helpful feature of a lift chair, and the reason they were invented in the first place, is their ability to limit injuries for anyone using the chair.
Users can stand on their own without the risk of falling, or they can more easily transfer from the chair to a wheelchair or bed with support. Because you don’t need to use your muscles as much, you’re more likely to regain control once standing.
Paid caregivers and family members no longer have to pull or tug on extremities or worry about straining their back or neck. Even a smaller or younger person can quickly and conveniently help their elderly parent or grandparent stand up with the assistance of a lift chair.
- Independence in Your Roanoke Home
As a person ages, or if they have a movement-limiting disability, it can become increasingly difficult to stand up from a seated position. They become reliant on others around them for simple, everyday tasks, and this lack of independence can lead to a low mood, anxiety, and depression.
One of the surprising benefits of lift chairs is the positive effect on a person’s mental health. With their increased mobility comes more independence since they no longer have to wait for other people to get moving–even from a reclined position.
- Improved Circulation
People who cannot move a lot can develop poor circulation, edema, varicose veins, and other health conditions. This can also happen in the elderly, as their organs, such as the kidneys, have to work harder to keep their body healthy.
Elevating your legs during the day or while sleeping helps improve blood flow, swelling, and fluid retention due to the effects of gravity on your circulatory system. Lift chairs are ideal for this task, as they recline to various angles at the push of a button.
Not only that, if a person needs to get up and move around more to facilitate good circulation, the lift chair can help them do this more independently.
- Less Pain and Discomfort
Don’t be too proud to consider the massage, heat, and lumbar support add-ons when looking at lift chair uses for your home. These features can offer therapeutic benefits for those suffering from arthritis, neck and back pain, stiff joints, and bad posture. They’re certainly more convenient than off-site spa treatments or massage therapy and cheaper than bathroom modifications.
Bedsores are another common problem for bedridden people or those with disabilities. These painful legions are the result of sitting or lying in one position for too long. Lift chairs offer various positions at the touch of a button–meaning even if you’re confined to a chair, you can adjust your seat or stand up more often.
- A Wide Variety of Uses
Lift chairs come with a remote that allows the user to choose from a range of seating positions, from upright to fully reclined.
This allows you to sit up to eat, read a book, use a computer, relax, or even sleep. In fact, a lot of people choose to slumber in their lift chair instead of their bed. This is because most models offer different angles and elevations for greater comfort.
If you’re worried about the cost of lift chairs for people with disabilities, especially those with additional features, be sure to check if you’re covered for home health care by Medicare.
Get Professional Advice from a Specialist in Roanoke Before Purchase
Lift chairs are undeniably beneficial for people with reduced mobility, whether their condition is due to illness or old age. They help put a bounce back into the step of people who might otherwise be confined to a chair or bed for long periods.
There is a vast range of lift chairs to choose from, so it’s best to work with a professional, not only to get the features right, but also to make sure the chair coordinates with the existing décor in your Roanoke home.
Are you still pondering if you should get a lift chair? Request a free in-home assessment from Freedom Mobility Center today to find out the best options for your situation.