How to Choose a Power Lift Chair

Power lift chairs should be a must-have for people with poor balance or weak bones. While they’re not ideal for everyone, electric power lift chairs will reduce discomfort and pain brought about by arthritis, chronic joint pain, and the like.

Electric power lift chairs look like recliners, but come with a motor that raises and lowers the chair. If you want to get off the chair, you push a button, and then the chair tilts to a standing position so that you can just walk out of it. When not in use, the chair is in the standing position. If you want to sit down, you simply lean on the chair. Your weight will trigger the motor to lower the chair back to a sitting position.

These innovative chairs are available in a wide variety of colors, sizes, fabrics, prices and styles. Consider these things when shopping for a lift chair. Choose the wrong chair and you might experience more pain than relief.

Weight Capacity

Consider the user’s height and body size. The seat’s height, depth, and width should adequately fit the individual. Ideally, the chair’s height should be enough for the user to place his or her feet flat on the ground when in the sitting position.

Most electric power lift chairs can accommodate a weight of up to 350 pounds (or 158.76 kg), but some can be customized to fit larger people.

Optional Massager

If you want additional therapeutic treatments, try getting a lift chair that comes with a built-in massage and heating unit, that’s where the power lift chairs seniors come in best.

Two or Three Positions

Another point to think about is how many positions the chair offers. The original lift chair is capable of two positions — the 90 degrees slight recline and the upright sitting position. Such chairs don’t recline enough for comfortable sleeping.

Three-position lift chairs, on the other hand, provides the two original positions, plus a full recline that elevates your legs. These chairs are often wider and deeper, thereby ideal for comfortable sleeping or napping.

Determine if the user will mostly be sleeping or sitting on the chair.

Power Backup

Most lift chairs are plugged into an electric outlet, but you might want to get a chair that comes with an extra battery pack, which you’ll find very handy in case of power failures.

Cleanliness

Seniors, the usual users of power lift chairs, often suffer from incontinence problems. If this is the case, you may want a chair with vinyl or other water-resistant seat cover.

Warranties

Lastly, ask the seller about warranties because motors have a limited life span, so coverage for a pre-defined time frame would do you good.