Living With Arthritis: Buying A Lift Chair
If you suffer from arthritis, you might find it difficult and painful when you are getting in and out of your chair. A lift chair helps remedy this by working as a recliner, but it also has a lifting mechanism that allows you to get into a vertical position with the push of a button, instead of having to do this yourself. Whether you have osteoarthritis or arthritis of the spine, a lift chair can be very useful. Since it is an expensive investment, it is important that you know some things before jumping into the purchase.
Deciding if the Chair is Right For You
There are pros and cons to purchasing a lift chair, and the final decision usually is up to you and your abilities. While the lift chair is undoubtedly helpful if you have problems with mobility, it can also keep you from proper stretching and strengthening of your muscles. If you have osteoarthritis, your joints become inflamed and need to be worked out regularly. If your chair is lifting you every time you get up, you miss a lot of opportunities to strengthen your leg and abdominal muscles.
On the other hand, if you have severe arthritis where you can barely get out of your chair without help, you make a good candidate for the lift chair. It can improve your quality of life as you are more willing to get out of your chair and do other things around the house. If you find that you sit in your recliner all day because of how difficult it is to get out of, a lift chair is a good option for you.
Get the Facts First
When you have made the decision to get a lift chair, you will need to get more information first. Start by consulting your doctor. Even if you want one, your doctor may not think it is a good idea. This will depend on the type of arthritis you have and what your abilities are. If the doctor supports this decision, your insurance company should be the next person you contact. Many insurance companies cover the cost of a lift chair, or at least a portion of the cost. It is very helpful if you can have your doctor sign off on it and get it covered by your insurance company.
Tips for Buying the Lift Chair
Once you're ready to start looking at lift chairs, the following tips can be useful:
Get the right size – The recliner should fit your body type and size, so make sure you sit in each chair and get one that fits you well. You don't want it to be too small, or your body is constricted and it can make your arthritis worse over time. However, you also don't want a chair that is too big, because it will have deeper cushions and your feet might not touch the floor.
Look at the positions – Some lift chairs have special features, like multiple positions. If you also want a footrest that moves independent from the back of the chair or the seat when it is lifting up, this is something to look into. While it is more expensive, it can be beneficial to get a lift chair with different positions.
Choosing the fabric – Just like other recliners, lift chairs have different types of fabrics. If you are someone who gets cold easily or sweats a lot, stay away from leather lift chairs. However, if you have incontinence, you might want leather over fabric upholstery.
Talk to a lift chair provider, such as Corner Medical, to see if it's a good option for you.
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