Medical lift chairs are the best way for many people with disabilities or injuries to get up and out of the chair with no assistance. Electric lift chairs work by allowing the person to sit on a chair and be lifted up to the a standing position without lifting their own body weight.

Places like nursing homes need these chairs so assistants do not have to constantly help residents up and down. Therefore, choosing the right assistive life chairs for your space and budget is important.

There are many different models of lift chairs available, from lift chair manufacturers. Models vary depending on the weight the chair can hold and how many positions the chair can navigate. To choose the most cost-effective solution for your stairs, consider the following:

1. How many positions the chair needs to make.

2. The average weight of a person using the lift chair.

3. How many lift chairs you will need for your space.

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Choose one- or two-position lift chairs to save money

The least expensive option for lift chairs are the one- or two-position lift chairs. Limited position chairs can range from $300 to under $1,000, which also depends on the size of the chair. These chairs move up and down to a single position or two positions to help the user into a standing position. This takes strain off weak muscles in the arms, legs, and back.

I recommend: The Lift Chair Superstore is stocked with one, two, and three-position lift chairs for your needs. 4 Lift Chairs offers a wide selection of chairs with customizable options.

Purchase a lift chair by size from your lift chair manufacturer

The number of positions a lift chair has will affect the price, but so does the size of the chair. The size of the chair is determined by the weight of the person that will be using it. The heavier the person, the larger the chair so that the position functions will not break. Prices also depend on how many positions it can move into, so you can find chairs as low as $300 and up.

I recommend: Preferred Healthcare offers a model that can assist a person weighing up to 500 pounds. Liftchairs 101 offers a petite model that hold 375 pounds and is made for people who are 5'4" or less.

Use power lift chairs with infinite positions

Some motorized chairs offer an infinite amount of positions to help a person stand. These are the most expensive models the market, usually upwards of $1000. Infinite positions are worth the money though, because they can help many people stand.

I recommend: ImproveLife.com offers a few options for infinite lift chairs that accommodate different sizes of people. Scooterville offers infinite position lift chairs have extra features to help support the back and make sitting in a recliner as comfortable as possible.

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• •  The pricing and costs of lift chairs are determined by the features they come with. If you just need a functional lift chair, forget the additional features and choose an inexpensive model.

For people with limited mobility, motorized lift chairs can, literally, help you rise to any occasion. Lift chairs, sometimes called electric recliners, have a powered lifting mechanism that pushes the chair up from its base, allowing you to move to a standing position with minimal effort. Several conditions, such as arthritis or muscular dystrophy, may cause you to need the assistance of motorized lift chairs. The market for motorized lift chairs has expanded over the past few years, allowing you to choose from a growing list of attractive features. Four basic types of motorized lift chairs are available:

1. One-position motorized lift chairs, which look similar to dinner chairs or wingback chairs, are the most basic and affordable of all models.
2. Two-position electric lift chairs are basic recliners that let you sit upright or tilted back about 45 degrees.
3. Three-position lift chairs let you sit upright, at a 45-degree angle or almost at a full recline.
4. Inifinite electric recliners have two separate motors for the chair back and the foot rest, allowing you to manually adjust the chair for an infinite number of positions.

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Choose lift chairs by size

Lift chairs are typically sold by size, depending on a person's height and weight. Most lift chairs can accommodate a person weighing up to 350 pounds.

I recommend: Lift Chairs 101 sells electric lift chairs in seven different sizes — from petite to extra large. One of the largest and sturdiest lift chairs offered by Lift Chairs 101 has a seat width of 30 inches and a depth of 22 inches. SpinLife.com offers four heavy duty lift chairs that can accommodate up to 700 pounds.

Shop for electric lift chairs by price

Motorized lift chairs aren't cheap and can cost well over $1,000. One-position lift chairs are usually the least expensive; infinite position models typically cost the most.

I recommend: Silver NetStores’ LiftChairs.com offers lift chairs at a variety of price points. All Lift Chairs offers a low price guarantee and you can also sign up for e-coupons that can save you up to $150 on the purchase of a lift chair.

Opt for special features for motorized lift chairs

Electric lift chairs can be purchased in a variety of fabrics and can include heat and massage elements.

I recommend: The lift chairs sold at Electric Wheelchairs 101 include cloth and leather models. You can find fabric, vinyl, leather and faux suede models at SpinLife.com. The lift chairs at Sears feature remote controlled heat and massage. Also, check out Business.com’s listings for electric wheelchairs for a good variety of styles.

Choose office lift chairs for the workplace

Some manufacturers sell lift chairs that look like office chairs and can be used in the workplace.

I recommend: Planet Mobility sells an ergonomic office lift chair and can also custom mount most standard office chairs or executive leather chairs to the lift.

Install stair lifts for easy access

If your home or office has multiple floors, consider installing stair lifts. Available in straight, curved and outdoor models, stair lifts improve accessibility.

I recommend: Stannah offers a wide range of stair lifts in straight, curved and outdoor models. Electric Wheelchairs 101 sells basic models.

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Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Your first step in choosing a lift chair is to determine what type of position you need.
• •  Individuals who are taller than average or who weigh more than 350 pounds may benefit from heavy duty lift chairs.
• •  Electric recliners come with a variety of back styles, including button back, seam pillow and split back.

Before lift chairs were widely available, those who needed assistance getting up from a chair would need the assistance of another person. But with a lift chair, people who may have needed help can get up and out of the chair on their own. This is a great help long-term care facilities where staff might be short, and cannot always be around to assist patients who need it.

There are many places where lift chairs to make the lives of patients more comfortable and help them be a little more independent. Lift chairs are used in nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and even private home care. To be sure you're making the most of lift chairs for your business, consider the following:

1. The size of the person using the chair, including height and weight.

2. The number of positions the chair should have.

3. Its ease of use.

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Use medical lift chairs for assistance in nursing homes

Nursing homes are the most common places you will see electronic lift chairs. They can help give nursing home residents a little more freedom and help the staff, who will not have to constantly ease patients in and out of the chairs. Power lift chairs are also made to resist moisture and are easy to clean.

I recommend: Designed For Life points out all the features in a typical lift chair that come in handy in a nursing home setting, including moisture-resistant fabric and the need for little wall clearance. Specialty Medical offers a wide range of lift chairs, including some that have battery backup in case of a power failure.

Buy electric lift chairs for rehabilitation centers

Rehabilitation centers are another place where lift chairs will come in handy. Rehab centers will benefit from lift chairs that can move into infinite positions so that after a rest, patients can easily get out of the chair and back to work.

I recommend: The Lift Chair Store has a comprehensive guide on how to choose the right lift chair for your rehabilitation center. Or you can check out the guidelines provided by the Information About Seat Lift Chairs blog to choose the best chair for your facility's needs.

Consider purchasing warranties for assistive lift chairs

Because all types of assistive lift chairs require the mechanisms to function properly day in and day out, it may be a good idea to look into the warranties on lift chairs before you purchase. If you have the know-how, you can easily find replacement parts and make your own repairs for about the same cost as an additional warranty on the product.

I recommend: Liftchair.com offers parts for a wide selection of lift chair models and also details which parts are more likely to fail in certain chairs. Most warranties from the lift chair manufacturer include limited, one to three year warranties on electric parts and labor, plus lifetime warranties on the frame of the chair, just like the ones at Electric Wheelchairs 101.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure you read the instructions offered by lift chair manufacturers before you try the product out on someone who has difficulty getting out of chairs. A good option is to have an able-bodied person try out the chair first.

Electric lift chairs are essential equipment for those with limited mobility. If a person has a disability or injury that makes sitting down and standing up difficult, motorized lift chairs are the solution. These chairs are equipped with a motor that lifts the seat and back of the chair to assist the person into a standing position. This is a good tool for nursing homes and physical therapy offices because it allows patients to sit and stand without any assistance from another person.

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Lifting mechanism

The lifting mechanism is the piece of equipment that moves the chair from a sitting to a standing position. All lift chairs have some type of lifting mechanism, but the lifting mechanism itself can also be fitted onto a traditional recliner.

I recommend: U.S. Medical Supplies provides Medicare information on the costs that are covered for lifting mechanisms in lift chairs.

One-position lift chair

A one-position lift chair has a lifting mechanism that lifts the seat only for assistance in standing. One-position models are the only models that do not resemble reclining chairs.

I recommend: Information About Seat Lift Chairs provides guidelines to take into consideration when choosing the type of lift chair to buy.

Two-position lift chair

A two-position lift chair works much like a traditional recliner. This type of lift chair offers a regular upright position and a 45-degree angle reclining position for additional comfort.

I recommend: Lift Chairs and More provides information on the different functions that come with a two-, three-, or infinite position lift chairs.

Infinite electric recliner

An infinite electric recliner differs from other lift chairs in that it has two motors instead of one. The first motor controls the seat back and the other motor controls the foot rest.

I recommend: The Lift Chair Store compares the features of regular two- and three-position lift chairs and infinite lift chairs.

Ergonomic office lift chair

An ergonomic office lift chair is a type of chair used in an office setting for those that have trouble standing up from a sitting position. This type of chair is tall enough to sit at most standard desks.

I recommend: Planet Mobility provides product specs on an ergonomic lift chair for office work.

Heavy duty lift chair

A heavy duty lift chair is a motorized chair made for those that are taller or heavier than average. The motor is capable of handling the extra stress on the chair when in use.

I recommend: Dynamic Living provides a comparison chart of measurements and weight limits for the most common types of lift chairs.