Many people, especially elderly individuals and patients recovering from surgery, view their homes as a haven. But what happens if they lose the ability to walk or get around their homes? Their once-safe home now becomes a obstacle course to navigate. The largest danger and also the most common is when someone tries to stand from their favorite chair.
Falls are the number one cause of hospitalization related to injuries for older adults. A great deal of these occur when trying to transition between sitting and standing positions. If your problem with balance has become so severe that you’re experiencing joint pain or muscle weakness, having a specialized chair could be a matter of life or death. And I’m not exaggerating.
Understanding How Falls Happen: The Transition Danger Zone
In order to safely rise from a regular, deep, plush living room sofa to stand up, a person needs strong quadriceps and abdominal muscles to push against gravity. They need flexible knee and hip joints in order to pivot forward. They need a healthy cardiovascular system that will not allow a sudden drop in blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension) and result in dizziness when rising. As we grow old, develop arthritis, or experience some type of neurological condition, each of these systems become weakened. Therefore, many people resort to ‘rocking’ back and forth to gain enough momentum to stand up. Or they grab onto an unstable object such as a coffee table next to them to pull themselves up. The movement generated by rocking back and forth is very unpredictable. Any loss of footing or any rapid onset of vertigo can generate a serious fall.
Lift Recliners: An Engineered Answer to Instability
This is exactly why the design of a patient lift recliner is specifically engineered to address instability in transitioning from sitting to standing. Unlike other types of recliners that only tip back for comfort, lift chairs feature a powerful, electrically driven base component. Instead of relying solely on the strength of his/her muscles to force him/herself into an upright position, the lift chair itself will slowly raise the user into a secure position where he/she is elevated slightly off the ground and supported by their feet prior to supporting his/her own body weight.
Ways That Lift Chairs Are Specifically Designed to Decrease Fall Risks
Eradicate the Need for Momentum: Because the motor performs 100% of the work required to move the user into a standing position, there is no longer a need for the user to “burgeon” from the seat, creating excessive motion, as would be necessary if he/she were trying to do this alone.
Predictable Movement: The motor provides a constant rate of movement. This allows the cardiovascular system sufficient time to adjust, thereby minimizing the likelihood of feeling dizzy after standing.
Smooth Transitions Between Sitting/Reclining Positions: In addition to helping the user get into and out of a seated position, the lift chair also guides the user through the process of lowering himself orherself into a comfortable seated position. Many seniors will “drop” or “plunk” down into their favorite chair because they lost their strength before reaching the bottom half way down. The lift chair will meet the user in a standing position and lower them safely into a comfortable seated position.
Decreasing the Burden on Family Members/Care Givers: The manual assistance needed to assist a senior family member out of a chair increases the risk of injury and/or harm for both the caregiver assisting and the senior being assisted. Using a lift chair reduces dependency on family members/care givers while keeping them safe.
Beyond Just a Chair: Creating Safe Homes with Complete Mobility Solutions
Even though a lift recliner can greatly enhance your overall sense of security during your daily activities, it doesn’t completely eliminate your mobility concerns. While it can provide protection during the day, nighttime safety remains a concern. Late evening visits to the restroom are often fraught with poor lighting and impaired mental awareness.
If getting into and out of your bed has become increasingly difficult for you, then you may want to consider exploring more comprehensive medical solutions for enhancing your mobility. Ontario residents looking to establish temporary arrangements during surgical recovery or long term arrangements, may find that renting a medical bed is an excellent option. You can search online for “Medical Bed for Rent in GTA“, and you’ll discover numerous options available to create safe bedrooms.
Combining a lift recliner for daytime usage with an adjustable medical bed for nighttime sleeping creates a continuous 24 hour safety net.
Choosing Your Best Option Lift Chair for Safety
Not every power recliner is made equal. If you plan on purchasing or renting a lift chair for safety reasons, make sure you pay attention to the following features:
Position Options: Two-position models will suffice for general TV viewing and standing, but three-position models offer additional flexibility. Some higher end models are even capable of operating in multiple positions simultaneously – known as infinite position models – featuring dual motors that control independent operation of the foot rest and back rest. Models with infinite positioning capabilities are recommended for those who require elevating their legs above their heart level to reduce edema – commonly referred to as heavy, clumsy leg syndrome – which significantly contributes to increased tripping hazards.
Material/Grip: Select materials that are cleanable/non-slippery. Leather surfaces tend to be slick and therefore may contribute to early premature movement forward by the user.
Battery Back-Up Capability: Make certain that the unit includes reliable battery back-up capability. If the home experiences a power outage, the chair should continue to operate and lift the user to a safe standing position as an emergency measure