Your mom is spending an afternoon sitting in her favorite chair in her living room reading a book. The phone rings and she has to get up from the chair and walk into the kitchen to answer it. It takes her a few minutes to get up because her knees ache and she’s not as strong as she used to be. By the time she gets to the kitchen, the caller has hung up. Your mom returns to her chair and slowly sits down. A few moments later, the phone rings again. Your mom decides not to bother getting up because she doesn’t think she’ll make it to the phone in time anyway. She wishes her home care provider was there to help her up from her chair or answer the phone for her, but she doesn’t arrive for another hour.
Does this sound familiar? Is your parent having trouble getting up from their chair to do things like answer the phone, go to the bathroom, or answer the door? True, your parent’s home care provider can assist them with mobility issues like getting up from chairs, but unless your parent is receiving round-the-clock care, chances are there will be times when they need to get up on their own. Plus, being able to get up from a chair by themselves can enhance their feeling of independence. A power lift chair might be the right solution for your parent.
What is a Power Lift Chair?
A power lift chair looks just like a regular recliner, but it comes equipped with a motor and a hand-held controller that slowly tips the chair forward to help your parent get to their feet more easily. Power lift chairs are available in a variety of colors and styles, but they also vary in features. Some of them have two motors so the head and footrest of the chair can move independently of each other, giving your parent more flexibility in their seating position. Others have just one motor, so they operate a little more like a traditional non-motorized recliner in that footrest goes up as the back reclines.
What are Some Things to Look for When Purchasing a Power Lift Chair?
There are a few factors that can affect choosing the right chair for your parent. They are:
- Size: Power lift chairs come in lots of different sizes. Your parent’s height will affect your chair choice because they are designed to lift off the ground to get a person to their feet safely based on the height of the user. Also, think about the space the chair will be in and make sure it will fit.
- Fabric: Power lift chairs are available in lots of styles and fabrics. Think about how your parent will use the chair. If your parent is likely to spill food or beverages or if they have problems with incontinence, a leather chair is a good choice because they can be easily wiped clean. However, if your parent sweats a lot, a leather chair might not be a good choice.
- Other Features: Some chairs come with additional features, like massage and heat. Determine if the cost of these features is worth the benefit or enjoyment your parent will get out of them.
Purchasing a power lift chair for your parent can help keep them safer and can also make the job of family caregivers and home care providers easier. When your parent has a power lift chair, there will be less need for helping them to stand up, which can be hard physical work. Also, a power lift chair can help your parent to remain independent for longer.
Sources:http://caregiver.com/articles/caregiver_power_lift_chair/
http://www.hometown-medical.com/resources/power-lift-chairs.html
If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Services in Doral FL, contact the caring staff at Providence Healthcare Services. We provide services in all of Miami Dade county and the Upper Keys. Call today (305) 680-5349.
