Do you have a favourite armchair where you sit to read the paper, watch TV or enjoy a cup of coffee? But perhaps this chair isn’t as comfortable as it used to be or you are finding it hard to get up from it after sitting on it for a long period of time. So it’s time to think about a new armchair and one which meets all of your needs such as a motorised riser recliner armchair.
Riser recliner chairs are a really good option if you need extra support or you need help to get up from a chair. These chairs are very comfortable but they also give you increased independence in your own home as they help you to get up from a chair on your own. So which is the right chair for you? Here are some questions to consider to make sure you sit comfortably on a riser recliner chair.
What is the right size of riser recliner for me?
Getting the right size of chair for you is the first point to consider. Sit on the chair with your bottom at the back of the seat. Once in this position, your feet should be flat on the floor., your thighs level and your lower legs straight. You should be able to get two fingers between your knees and the front of the seat plus the seat should be wide enough for your body but bit too wide as you need some support from the chair’s sides. If the chair has arm rests, you should be able to sit between them with enough room to get your hand in on each side.
For example, a small lady would probably be most comfortable in a Primacare Petite Chair whereas a larger heavier man would be better suited to a Walmesley Dual Motor Chair
How much support should the armchair give me?
The back of the chair should support the whole length of your back and your head. There will be usually extra padding at the bottom to support your lower back and at the top for your head. Also make sure that the arm resets are supporting your arms below the elbow and that you don’t have to lift your shoulders to do this.
Cushions should be soft but firm enough to support your weight so that you can’t feel the frame of the chair. Pressure relieving cushions are available if you are going to be sitting in the chair for long periods of time.
Is it easy to use a riser recliner armchair?
In a word, yes. There is a simple controller which operates the chair. Just press the button on the controller and the whole chair lifts up slowly to help you into a standing position. When you want to sit down, simply position yourself on the raised seat, press the button and the seat goes down slowly.
Once you have sat down, the recline feature gives you lots of options to get the chair in just the right position for whatever you are doing. You can put your feet up if you fancy a quick nap or you can move the chair into a more upright position for reading a book. If you have your feet up, make sure that the leg rest supports the whole length of your leg.
Watch this quick video to see a chair in action.
Riser recliner chairs are powered by mains electricity but they can have either a single or dual motors. A single motor riser recliner chair is where one motor controls all of the electric functions on the chair. A dual motor riser recliner is where two motors control the chair. One motor operates the backrest whilst the other motor operates the footrest and riser function.
Is it the right chair for my home?
Most people will want a new chair to co-ordinate with the existing décor in your living room so riser recliners come in a range of colours, fabrics and even leather. Think about where you will place the chair. Most riser recliner chairs need space behind them so that the chair doesn’t hit a wall when moving into the recline position.
Take a leaf out of the Goldilocks book
Do you remember the fairy tale “Goldilocks and the Three Bears”? Goldilocks had to try three chairs before she found the chair which was just right for her. And it’s just the same with you. You will need to try a number of riser recliner chairs before you find the right armchair for you and your home.
Independent mobility shops have a wide range of riser recliner chairs available in their showrooms to try out. Plus their helpful and knowledgeable staff will be able to answer any questions that you may have as well as show you how to operate the controls. They will ask you some questions too about your needs as well as your height and weight to help you in making the decision about a chair.
Take your time when trying out the chair. Make sure that you can operate the controls easily, whether you are using your right or left hand. Is the chair the right size for you and is it giving you enough support? Can you manage to stand up and can you sit down again too?
Some chair specialists believe that you should try the chair for an hour before making a decision. Bring a book with you to pass the time. This will also give you a chance to get to know the staff in the mobility shop and see how helpful they are likely to be if you have a problem with your chair. Plus they may even make you a cup of tea!
Optional extras for a riser recliner chair
- Back-up battery – while the chairs are operated by mains electricity, what happens if there is a power cut? A back-up battery will let you move back to a neutral or standing position if you have a power cut.
- Anti-crush – the anti-crush feature can prevent pets getting injured should they be hiding beneath the chair before it moves.
- Easy to clean material – in case of spillages, fabric can be selected which is easy to wipe clean.
- Side pocket – this is handy for storing books and magazines such as the Radio Times!
So if you want to be sitting more comfortably in your own home, call Jonny at Bann Mobility in Portadown on 028 3833 5771 to arrange an appointment to visit the showroom and see their extensive range of riser recliner chairs. Hopefully you will be able to find the riser recliner chair which is right for you, just like Goldilocks.
