Lift chair yes or no?

Nojoy3, one thing I did for my mom and her lift chair was to stick on little reminders over the control button that said "Stand up" and "Sit down". With just the up and down, she got confused too. Or you could just have Stand or Sit if your mom can still read and process language.

We just got a lift recliner for Mom. She didn't really need a lift chair but had trouble getting out of her swivel/rocker recliner (it was a disaster waiting to happen). Mom could no longer operate a manual recliner as was too weak so we had to get a power recliner. The only ones we could find were lift recliners. We found one new at our local furniture store for $600.00. It seems to be of sturdy construction that will meet Mom's needs and it doesn't lift so far that it would "dump" her out. The only problem is Mom has ALZ and even with the very simple electric control (just up and down) she still needs help to work it. She does seem to enjoy it. Likes to have her feet up and had trouble using a regular chair with a footstool due to her past hip surgery. It seemed to cause her pain in her hip. Would suggest that if you're considering this to look at regular furniture stores rather than pharmacies and medical supply stores. We found their prices very high and the chairs didn't seem any better quality than the one we got. Good Luck in your search.

I hear ya cwillie. We have the same situation here at our house. In fact, we had to disable the rocking ability of her recliner because it began to interfere with her standing. I was just saying what the doctor told us when we asked him about getting a lift chair. Mom has trouble standing, but we don't want her knees to give out completely and since she doesn't get much exercise (due to being in bed so much) I hesitate to let her knees completely go. Then she will become bedbound except for us (ME) lifting her and I'm not a spring chicken anymore. We are looking at buying a wingback style chair for her rather than the recliner we now have. She hardly ever raises the footrest anymore. And a footstool would serve the same purpose when I use icepacks on her knees. It is a dilemma and we constantly second-guess ourselves as to whether we are doing the right things or not.

Thanks for the comment txcamper. Mom can help a little when rising from a firm armchair, but easy chairs are all too soft, too low, and too wide for her to help push up from the arms. She is 95 and frail, I'm mostly just happy she can still stand for a few moments and walk with her walker. I just don't like to leave her in bed all day and it is getting more challenging to get her out of any soft, comfortable chair.

I wonder if you can rent a lift chair?

The main issue against lift chairs, is that it is probably not the only place they will be sitting. So that sort of solves a problem for that location, but not everywhere. Usage of the lift makes their knees not works as well anymore so that they get to the point where they "can't" raise themselves.

Have you tried a cushion to raise your mom's bottom? You definitely don't want to be pulling on her hands or arms to lift her from a chair. Can she scoot out to the edge of the chair and raise herself using the arms of the chair? There is at least one youtube video showing this technique and it does work. Try to keep those knees useful.

My mom and dad have both used lift chairs. My dad used his until he died. My mom had a "window of opportunity" when it really helped her with her bad knees. But now she's at the point that she forgets to use it to stand herself up and she's getting weak enough that it's good for her to have to stand herself up. Once she can't stand up on her own, we'll have to go to Plan B - assisted living. She also puts her feet up with hers, but when she stands, she doesn't put the footrest all of the way back down. I've fussed and fussed at her about it, but she can't remember. So the lift chair is a mixed blessing. Hers was $1,400 through La-Z-Boy.

Bought a lift chair - about 2,500.00 - he was only able to use it for about 6 months, so cost is an issue - had to spend that much because of his heavy weight - as I was one hoisting him up - it saved some wear and tear on me - once he was not able to use it anymore I donated it to local senior center and wrote it off on taxes.

Yes that would work fine. Just make sure she doesn't accidently fiddle with the controls when left unattended and get dumped. My mom parks her walker beside her chair, hits the up bottom and she's off to the races. She leaves it in the up position and let's herself down when she returns.

$800 wouldn't even pay for the cheap models here Windyridge, the Golden chairs sold through our local pharmacy start at $1600, and even the ones at he furniture stores in the city are over $1000. I know mom can afford it, but I'm kinda like captain, "I ain't gonna pay"...LOL
Mom needs total assistance, so I would have to be the one controlling the chair. I picture lifting part way, stopping and then assisting her the rest of the way to her feet. Would this even work??

My mom, 84 with mobility issues loves her electric loft chair. It cost about 800 bucks and is very easy for her to operate. There are cheaper ones available but you get what you pay for. Two considerations....Is she mentally competent so that she can operate a chair without dumping herself in the floor? And if you go this route be sure and measure her height while sitting and her leg distance to the floor and get the right size model.

I just found some on craig list today I am going to look at them. You do have to move them yourself so hopefully you would have help with that.