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Lift Chairs: Restoring Independence for the Elderly February 26, 2008

Posted by twitwoot in lift chairs.
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Age is an inevitable fact of life. We will all age, there is really no fountain of youth, and no way to keep age from finding us. Possibly the most frustrating aspect of aging is the loss of our mobility and independence. Having the ability to remain independent throughout the aging process is a very important aspect in many lives. Knowing that we can come and go as we please without help is crucial in respect to our self confidence.

lc2.jpgA lift chair is a wonderful resource for retaining or regaining your independence. With a lift chair, you have the ability to move from a sitting to a standing position without any help from others. Many styles of lift chairs are available, as well as different aspects of reclining positions. A lift chair can help you to regain your confidence by ensuring that you will be able to go from sitting to standing, without the fear of falling.

A lift chair works by using a motorized mechanism that simply lifts your seat with the push of a button. If you normally need help standing up, a lift chair can give you that help. You simply push the button to raise the chair, and you are lifted into a complete standing position. Once you are on your feet, you can simply walk away from your chair.

Lift chairs also help with the sitting process. When you are ready to sit in your chair, you simply back up to the seat, and push the decline button. The chair will take you into a sitting position slowly, so that you do not lose your balance.

Gaining independence is a very important feeling. Knowing that you have the ability to sit and stand alone, without the help of family and friends, is a wonderful emotion. Many elderly people, as well as those who have been injured or are disabled for a number of reasons, have found their independence again with a lift chair.

With the many styles and colors available in lift chair models, it is safe to assume that you will be able to match your lift chair to your current home furnishings. There are also styles available that will take up very little space, so if you live in a small home or apartment, there is a lift chair that will fit perfectly into small living spaces.

Making the decision to purchase a lift chair seems like an overwhelming task, however, knowing how a lift chair can help to restore your ability to do things on your own is a major decision maker for many. Knowing that you will have restored your mobility, and having more independence in your daily life is the best reason to consider purchasing a lift chair. You will have the ability to move around your home as you wish, without relying on the help of others to get you on your feet or to help you sit. Regaining your independence is a wonderful feeling, and deciding to use a lift chair is the first step.

Source: www.selfgrowth.com/articles/Lift_Chairs_Restoring_Independence.html

Which Lift Chair is Best for You? February 18, 2008

Posted by twitwoot in lift chairs.
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There are so many different styles and sizes of lift chairs that it may be confusing deciding which one would be the very best for your needs. You can choose from a wide variety of colors and styles, however, the one thing that seems to cause the most confusion when purchasing a lift chair is the reclining capability. For instance, do you need a 2 position, a 3 position, or infinite positions? This can be very confusing if you do not fully understand the fundamental differences in the positioning capabilities of the many types of lift chairs.

A 2 position chair will recline to approximately a 45 degree angle. These are not the most comfortable chairs for sleeping, but if you only need to use it for sitting, then they are a wonderful choice. The reclining positions are not only at the 45 degree angle, you can recline to any position up to the 45 degree angle. They lift up to allow you to go from a sitting to a standing position. 2 position chairs operate by a motor and you can control the recline angle and lift by using a hand controller that is provided.

3 position chairs recline to almost a completely flat position and also every position from sitting to laying. The footrest also moves, so as you recline the chair back, the footrest raises, so that you are in the most comfortable position. The 3 position chairs also lift to allow the user to go from a sitting to a standing position with ease, and they also operate by a motor, with a hand controller provided with the chair.

Infinite position chairs have two motors, as opposed to the 2 and 3 position chairs, which only have one. Another difference is in the footrest. With a 2 and 3 position chair, the footrest will rise as the back is lowered; however, the footrest alone is not adjustable. With an infinite position chair, the footrest can be raised, but it is a complete separate action than that of the chair’s back. The footrest operates on its own motor, therefore you have to ability to lower and raise it to meet your specific needs at the time. For instance, if you want to eat dinner while in your lift chair, you can still have your feet up, but your back will be straight. The infinite position chair allows you to put your feet above your heart, which is very helpful for swelling and many forms of arthritis. The infinite position chair can also be used quite comfortably for sleeping, as you have the ability to position the back and footrest separately, and can adjust the levels to suit your comfort needs.

Knowing beforehand which reclining capability you need will help you to choose the chair that will benefit you most. Your comfort and needs are the most important aspects when choosing a lift chair.