I went to a mobility care shop this morning as Im considering treating myself to an electric recliner chair with lift assist. Has anyone got one and found it beneficial or are they just an expensive waste of money? The one I looked at had dual control for back and foot rest, a back up battery in case of power failure with what they call a waterfall back, was quite taken with it.
Electric recliner chair with life assist - benefi... - PMRGCAuk
Electric recliner chair with life assist - beneficial or not?
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HappyDiamonds
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I bought one before I had my hip op. It cost a fortune and I do not use it. I just have it as a spare chair in the sitting room. I found I could not raise the foot bit without the back going back at the same time. Also I really found the bit that raises you up to standing not very good. Others may think they are great. I just use my ordinary comfy chair.
I was honestly wondering whether it would end up a five minute wonder a bit like the fold up treadmill I used to hang my dressing gown on! The dual control does allow foot and back to be adjusted independently though. The shop stocked 8 Chairs and had sold 4 of them this week.
Mine has two motors for the back and feet. Goodness knows why it insists on going back too. I wish I had just got one for my feet only. It was just that people had suggested it was a good idea to get one to sleep on after I had my hip op, but luckily I managed to get to my own bed after the op. I would not like to sleep on it out of choice now I have it, compared to my bed anyway.
Another thing, the people who came to my house to set it up managed to smash the glass in a door and did nothing to help repair it.
Hi. I bought my recliner, just as you described, before I was diagnosed with PMR, boy am I glad I did! It has been excellent for me with this. I bought from Argos, yes it was expensive but to me, worth every penny. You definitely need dual motors though, to operate feet and head parts. Next purchase on the list, an electric bed! Anything to make my life easier. Good luck.
I do have an electric bed.
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer
We bought one for late hubby - he used it mainly for sleeping in afternoon! Still have it, and matching 2 seater settee (recliner option only) which the grandkids love!
I used to use the settee when he was alive - and the leg support- now use them both depending on whether watching tv or not.
Have used the riser part following knee & hip replacement - but rarely now all okay.
Just for info, if you have a blue badge you may be able to get it VAT free.
Isn't it a self-declaration that you have a chronic illness?
Yes it is, I was offered VAT free on chair but not on a sofa to match and I wasn't allowed to buy 2 chairs, a second chair would have VAT charged. The stroller I bought a couple of months ago was VAT free too. Quite a saving.
Yes it’s only for the user - same with ours -chair only (hubby) - not settee
May well be now - this was few years ago when hubby had BB…should have updated my knowledge! Apologies 😊
I don't know from personal experience - just remembered seeing it on sites when we were surfing for mobility scooters.
I thought of putting it in my Conservatory and no doubt I will be having a snooze in it (if the dog doesn't get there first). Im lucky as Pred has never stopped me from sleeping. My late husband used to have a snooze every day at lunch time even from the age of about 30, called it his power nap, but he needed the TV on in the background to be able to do it.
Sounds perfect!
My late hubby was in Army for over 20 years so could catnap on a washing line!…at any time as well.
Before he joined up (still at home then) he worked as a gamekeeper, so out before daybreak, did his rounds, came back for breakfast and a catnap…..
…first deployment was Borneo so catnap after lunch rather than out in the midday sun….
PS - Forgot to say, they are heavy though…..but of a nuisance if like me you like to rearrange the furniture regularly …another throw from living in military accommodation for 20 years…
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You do need to play with them to see if they do what you want. Here I think I could have had one from the medical supplies at the hospital - wouldn't have been a luxury one though!
I have a zero gravity chair - an ancient one - for camping. Obviously it isn't as adaptable as an electric one could be but I find it very comfortable. I have used them when visiting family and thought I'd quite like one if I had the space but I have a very small flat!
I had to google zero gravity chair and now I want one of those for the Garden 😀. Just spotted they even do one for 2 (a love chair). I have wooden furniture and by golly does it hurt my tailbone sometimes unless I have cushions out which isn't always possible.
Garden furniture without cushions is not even worth thinking about!!!!
Agree on that 😊
I had one from occupational health but whereas if you are buying they should measure you so it’s the right size . I’m only 4ft 9 and have vertebral collapse so the chair came and it was huge .
I hurt my back quite badly because it was just too big for me .
I sent it back sadly it has now put me off .
Thank you that's interesting because I am in a similar situation to you with spine collapse due to osteoporosis and I have already lost an inch in height, now 5'1". They do sizes Petite, Standard and Bariatric.
Just ensure that the size is right and comfortable for you . Take time over your choice and remember no matter how good the sales pitch is it is yiu that counts . 😊
My mum had one, which she found very comfortable and useful- she slept in it every afternoon for many years. The only (obvious) thing I’d say is to try it out in the showroom- it’s very important it’s the right size for you and that you find it comfortable.
As an alternative, I have a ‘Stressless’ chair and sofa - leather, reclining and with matching footstool. I couldn’t manage without putting my feet up! I don’t, however, need help standing so don’t need the riser/recliner type that you’re describing.
Good luck in finding the right thing for you xx
My neighbour has a leather Stressless chair and footstool recommended by her Physiotherapist and it looks lovely.
I have one and use it most of the time - and always when I am reading.I also have an electric bed - I only use the bottom ‘lift’ as I’d rather use cushions for my head.
I treated myself to an electric bed after hubby died- thought it might be useful with arthritic joints….must admit don’t use it that much for that nowadays.
But it is very useful to lift head and foot ends when changing fitted sheets -an absolute godsend in my GCA days.
Very handy - “the sheets”! 😂😂I find my arthritis IS helped by the bed. Knees and ankles not so painful if they are elevated - during the day when resting NOT in the night.
Did elevate leg end before and post knee/hip operations.,,,and head end post shoulder operation,. But I’m naturally a side sleeper…but it’s earned it’s keep over the last 8 years 😉
Morning bionic woman.😙 You really have gone through it haven’t you? Do you still have arthritis?
Morning…..yes in right shoulder, but manageable at the moment (long may it last) with exercise and Flexiseq…
Plus top joints on both ring fingers are a bit affected, but nuisance value only! Can still cross fingers, and am 🤣😂
I can cross all sorts of things (I am hyper mobile)but everything still hurts like hell!🤷♀️
My OH and I have them and we love them, seperate motors and controls for back and foot/rests. We got ours from our local recycling shop, virtually new and not expensive.
I would say always best to have separate control for back and legs so able to adjust separately. Vat free if have long term condition that affects physical ability but is for the use of the individual hence not settee as for others but can be applied for item like raised toilet seat. Hope this makes sense
I use a cheap footstool ALL the time. It really helps my hip and knees and stops me sitting cross legged. My Mum had a recliner-riser chair. She found it really comfortable but being blind she had trouble finding the "remote control" (on a wire) which was always falling off the chair. If you're planning on buying one, get a second hand one, as the new ones are so expensive. If you're in the UK you can even find them on Freecycle or Freegle occasionally.
I bought one as soon as PMR hit. It is a brilliant investment...an easy way to sit with your legs raised to prevent ankle-swelling side effect of pred. I use it slightly reclining with a lumbar pillow and can work there for hours with my laptop on a laptop support pillow.
I bought one second hand for £30. It was in nearly new condition. Mine hadn't got dual motors but it is a rise and recliner It's absolutely a godsend! I have PMR and arthritis in knees and shoulders as well as disc problems. It's a real help keeping me comfortable and helping me get up. I had a manual recliner prior to that which was also comfy but needed me to exert loads of pressure on my shoulders to move it. None of that with the electric one 
People pay huge amounts of money for these chairs. They do seem to come up for sale for really good prices on Facebook sales/eBay/gumtree and you see almost new chairs going for around £100 which cost at least £1000 or more new. I would have a look around. They tend to come apart for transport too so can be put in a biggish car but to hire a man with a van to do this for you isn't too expensive (about £30 in our area). Another good source of recliners are charity shops or local furniture projects. Often when people cannot sell a chair they give them to charity in order to get rid of them quickly.
The chairs are great but, in my opinion, overpriced when new like everything sold by specialist mobility shops. Guess it's up to the individual and their budget.
Gosh you were lucky, its so hard to justify spending such a large amount of money which is why I asked the question. I have searched this morning and found the same chair locally £400 cheaper with free delivery but will look for second hand before going ahead.
My late father had one and then my mother used it until she died - both in their 90s! I then advertised it on Gumtree and the new owner was delighted with the 'bargain'. Hoping you find the right solution for your needs.
I was very lucky. Mine came from a care home that had closed! The chairs were all up for £30! I was able to try several before I decided which one! Having worked in care homes I know that these chairs are bought by relatives but then don't get used much at all as often specialist seating or wheelchairs are needed.
I live in Essex and just this week have seen some real bargains on Facebook like a leather upholstered waterfall back rising recliner for £300! Looked brand new! I would have a good look about before committing your cash as new these chairs are horrendously expensive. Especially those company's that want to come and demonstrate in your own home. They focus your mind on how you are getting it vat free hoping you don't notice the inflated prices. Perhaps I am just too cynical 🙂
I have a riser recliner chair. I bought it from HSL. As I am only 4ft 11ins it is a super petite size. It is very comfortable compared with normal chairs. I have osteoarthritis in multiple joints.
My father had a zero gravity chair which I don't he loved and it was the size of a aircraft carrier. If I got in one - I'd never get out.
I don't know how I could live without my lift, recliner oversize chair. My husband and I purchased ours over 10 years ago. He died last year and used it every day before. I use mine exclusively. I've had two spinal surgeries, last one with rods and screws. Recently I have been diagnosed with osteoporosis and PMR. I also had a knee replacement. I have RA
and osteoarthritis. With PMR and prednisolone use I have insomnia. I take my naps exclusively in my chair. It has helped with my edema and tendon pain relief with leg and ankle elevation. I could go on and on. Suffice it to say I would beg, borrow or steal to buy a replacement. I had to replace the hand control once. My son ordered a new one from Amazon and just plugged in the new one. The chair is upholstered and still feels and looks like new. We paid about $900.00 each over 10 years ago. It was the top of the line then. I've moved it 3 times since. It is large and very heavy, but it can be separated to fit in van and through doors. I would highly recommend the purchase for your quality of life.
Thank you Pomeranion. I have decided I am worth it and deserve it 😀 so contacted my local store this afternoon and they are bringing another chair over from another branch for me to try tomorrow and compare with the one I tried yesterday. Hope to have one of them delivered this weekend or Monday. Comfort is so important when you have aches and pains and with the lift up its much easier to get out of. Was quite amused to find that the one I like even has a usb on it, sign of times I suppose! Hope you continue to enjoy the pleasure and comfort of yours
Happy for you. What is the usb? Never heard of that. Interesting!
The plug you can use to run or recharge a computer or phone ...
Thanks. As PMRpro says its for using or charging phone, iPad etc. Waiting for one that makes a cup of tea now that would be lovely 😀
When there is one of those I might consider it!
Great idea. With modern technology who knows.
Thank you for the info. Mine is old school. Might like the extra perk in the future.Maybe by then I could make tea.🤡
I have riser recliner chair with dual controls.This chair also has heat and massage control.My husband treated me after my hip operation four months ago.We bought chair online from Fenetic wellbeing they deliver and set up chair.I find chair very comfy pleased with purchase.Hope you get a chair to suit you soon.
A customer of mine gifted me one after I had a bad fall and couldn't walk at all for 3 months. I love it. I can walk now of course but I have back issues and I've used it so much that I've worn it out. I've been thinking of buying a new one.
I am fortunate in having a local "Independant Living" shop. I had used them in the past to purchase things for my wife (who had Alzheimer's). They supplied her high baked wheelchair. We were fortunate that her care home had recliner/riser chairs donated by relatives of those who had passed on so I did not have to purchase one for her.When my PMR raised it's ugly head just over a year ago, I immediately found it very hard to get out of a normal chair let alone off the toilet, out of bed etc. (Thankfully this improved a few weeks later when PMR was diagnosed and Pred commenced)
I visited this shop and was able to try out a number of riser/recliner chairs. They measured me up and I ordered a bespoke chair with dual motors. It was expensive but I consider it one of the best investments I have made in recent years.
Because I was an existing customer, they lent me a single motor chair for a few weeks whilst mine was being made. This was very helpful but I can now say from experience that a dual motor chair of the correct dimensions for your body is so much better.
I use my chair every day and couldn't imagine life without it now.
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