When most people think of power lift chairs, they think of old, hard, gray chairs most often seen in nursing homes and hospitals.
Happily, for people who might need one of these chairs as mobility aids in the home, modern power chairs are much more attractive and comfortable than you might think.
In fact, some manufacturers can custom-build your chair so that it is exactly the color, fabric and style you want to match your home decor, the padding material and padding placement can be selected yourself to give the greatest comfort, and some companies will even visit you in your home to measure you up for the chair, ensuring that it is capable of supporting your weight and size correctly, however large or small you are.
When purchasing a power lift chair, of course looks are important, but far more vital is that the chair does what you need it to do and that it is comfortable.
This will vary for different people.
The typical user of a power chair is an elderly person who has difficulty in standing up and sitting down unaided due to muscle weakness, bone density loss or instability.
Other users of power lift chairs include people of all ages who have muscle weakness, including sufferers of muscular sclerosis, cerebral palsy, stroke victims and other neurological or musculoskeletal disorders.
For those in wheelchairs, a powered recliner chair can mean respite from sitting in the wheelchair all day, or for people with circulatory problems, a lift recliner can help with boosting circulation to the feet and legs by allowing you to raise the legs off of the floor.
An electric lift chair is so much more than just a fancy piece of furniture.
For people who find themselves having to rely on others to simply move from sitting to standing and vice versa, or those who suffer pain and discomfort getting in and out of a chair, an electric lift recliner can offer a new lease on life, along with the confidence and independence that brings.
Not just a gimmick, electric lift chairs have evolved from the findings of decades of scientific research into factors affecting our ability to sit and stand, including body position, foot placement, seat height, the role of the arms, and more.
As well as being an all-purpose armchair that allows you to sit upright, relax back or put your feet up, they have real medical value in helping those who are less mobile get to their feet in a safe, painless way, greatly reducing the risk of falls and injuries.
Wheelchair users may want to investigate the possibility of a removable armrest so as to help the transition from wheelchair to armchair, and if your area is prone to power outages, a chair with a back-up battery is a good choice.
Other than that, your choice of chair really depends on your abilities, needs, and budget.
Built-in heated cushioning and massage pads are wonderful luxuries, but not essential; a solidly built, comfortable chair with a smooth rise and recline motion are the most important things.