The perfect Lift Chair for you - Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

Buyers guide - what to consider when purchasing a lift chair?

Now that you are an expert on what a lift chair is, and the different positions they can achieve, you are probably wondering how to pick the best one for your specific situation. Picking the perfect lift chair for you can be tough. I see it similar to the story of Goldielocks and the Three Bears, you want that perfect fit. Nothing too small, too big, or too lumpy. Not only are there a wide variety of sizes, but you can pretty much customize a lift chair to your specific needs and wants. Yes, I said want, because who doesn’t want to have a comfortable place to sit, with some fancy bells and whistles for extra comfort and relaxation! Do you want to have heat and massage, a handy USB charging port for your smartphone/tablet, and built in cup holders on your favourite chair?! All that is now possible. Keep reading to learn how to determine what Lift Chair would best fit you, and the additional features you can choose from, when looking to invest in the Lift chair that is best suited for you!

If you missed our last article on lift chair basics, please click here to get an indepth look at the lift chair in our Lift chairs 101 article. :)

What type of lift chair should I get?

When considering purchasing a Lift chair, you should really sit down and think of how you expect to use it. Will it simply be a relaxing TV watching chair that gives you an added boost when standing up? If so, an entry level or more basic Lift Chair would work great for you and keep your cost down. Do you have specific positional needs, as in leg elevated when sitting to reduce swelling, being able to lay completely flat to sleep in the chair, or wanting to recline the back but leaving your feet flat on the floor? If so, you may want to look at the Infinite or Zero Gravity options. To recap see brief position guide below. 

Two Position: Cost-effective entry level lift chair for clients who want a comfy place to sit, who also need the added boost when standing. 

Three Position: Simple two button hand control that is suitable for all users. 

Infinite Position: Has two motors, and allows you to control the backrest and footrest independently. Ideal for clients who need customizable support or are looking to sleep in their lift chair.

Zero Gravity: Has an additional motor on the base which tilts the chair in space, allowing for a true feeling of weightlessness. Ideal for clients who require specific positional needs for pain relief and/or must elevate their legs above their heart to improve circulation and reduce swelling in their legs. Best option for clients who are looking for customizable support or will be sleeping in their lift chair.

What size of Lift Chair would fit me best? 

Finding the perfect Lift Chair for you next comes down to fit. The correct size of Lift Chair for you is important to prevent discomfort, falls, and mechanical issues when transferring in and out of your chair. It is kind of like Goldielocks and the Three Bears, you want that perfect fit. Nothing too small, too big, or too lumpy. Since people come in all different shapes and sizes, lift chairs come in a marriot of sizes ranging from Petite, Wide, to Heavy Duty. With such a wide size range you’d think it would be hard to find your new lift chair. To make it easier to find the best chair size for you, you will need to fill out the following 6 measurements

(1) Height: height of the main users of the lift chair. Ideally in feet and inches.

(2) Weight: weight of the main user. Ideally in pounds.

(3) Seat to Top of Back: Measure from the base of the seat to the top of the main user's head. Ideally in inches.

(4) Seat Depth: Measure from the back of the seat to the back of the main user's knee. Ideally in inches.

(5) Floor to Top of Seat: Measure from the floor to the top of the back of the main user's knee. Ideally in inches.

(6) Width between the arms: Measure from the left hip to the right hip, or the widest part of the client, while seated. Add 2 inches to get required width between the arms.

Once you have all these measurements written down, you can then use them to reference the specific measurements of your potential new chair in question to see if it will be a good fit for you. Most companies have these details listed in their brochures to help clients find their perfect fit. See a generalized size chart below, feel free to use the chart below to help you navigate the size of the Lift chair you may require based on your measurements. 

Fabric selections - Must match my existing furniture

This is arguably THE most important thing when picking a lift chair. Not only does it need to suit your needs and fit you well, but it also needs to fit in with your existing home décor. No one wants an ugly piece of furniture sitting in their living room. Trust me, I have learned over time this makes or breaks the lift chair selected. Each manufacturer will have their own specific line of fabrics and colours, as well as which ones are considered standard or an upgrade for an additional price, so it is always best to check with them on that before purchasing. But I have seen that they all typically have the following categories of fabrics.

Soft Touch Fabrics: These are typically the standard fabric for most Lift Chair manufacturers and are the most similar fabric to a traditional chair or sofa. Not only are they soft to the touch, they come in a variety of colours so you will have no trouble finding the perfect match to suit your home décor. They are 100% polyester, durable, and have some resistance to stains and spills. 

High Performance/Ultra Fabrics: Ideal fabric for if you are worried about messes or spills, because let’s be honest they happen from time to time.These fabrics are breathable, 100% spill proof and ready for anything life might throw at it. They are stain resistant and anti-microbial. A great option for Senior Living facilities. 

Leather/Leather-like Fabrics: These fabrics are for clients who are looking for the look and feel of leather. These fabrics are scratch and blemish resistant, as well as antimicrobial and easy to clean, which will keep your Lift chair looking newer for longer. Leather/Leather-like fabric options are typically an upgrade, meaning there will be an additional cost and building time frame for them. Be sure to check on cost and build time for this fabric option before you purchase.

Vinyl Fabrics: This is the only fabric option that can be wiped down and disinfected without worrying about damages. Best option for Senior Living facilities where spills or accidents may occur. Vinyl fabrics are an upgrade, meaning there will be an additional cost and building time frame for them. Be sure to check on cost and build time for this fabric option before you purchase.

Be sure to research through your preferred store or the manufacturer’s website to see what colour and fabric options are available for the model you are looking to get. 

If you are interested is seeing the selection of Lift Chairs that Capital Medical Supply.ca has available for purchase click here.

Customization

We finally made it to the fun part! Time to look at extra features and options to make your chair custom to you. There are a lot of different options, depending on the manufacturer, and some are even considered standard features on higher end models. Make sure to check what options come with your lift chair model, and see if upgrading or adding on the following options is possible.

Footrest Extension: Do you have long legs? A footrest extension is a great option to consider if you need extra length and support.

Heat and Massage: Do you need heat and massage for pain relief? With a dual heat and massage system you can ease achy joints and enhance your comfort and relaxation.

Power Headrest and Lumbar support: Looking for extra support? Select chairs will have articulating headrests for optimal head position and/or powered lumbar system for added customizable low back support.

Backup Battery: Worried about power outages and being stuck in your lift chair? Invest in a backup battery that will ensure your lift chair is opernational when the power goes out.

Others Options:
Built in features such as cup holders, storage space, USB chargers.

To make your selection process easier, because let's be honest there are A LOT of options, feel free to use this handy dandy checklist below. Record your measurements, check off important features, and use it to help find the perfect Lift chair that not only fits you, but suits your day to day needs! As always, be sure to check with your preferred store and/or the manufacturer of your Lift Chair to see what options are available for the model you are looking to get.