A lift chair is a medical device that looks like a reclining chair but has a powering device installed in it. Physically, a reclining chair and lift chair look the same, but the powering device makes it possible for the chair to be brought into an upright, standing, or reclined position by the push of a button on a remote.
They come in various sizes and designs and are referred to by several names. You might see them promoted as “Power Lift Recliners,” “Pop-Up Chairs,” “3-Position Recliners,” or “Infinite Position Recliners,” but they refer to the same thing.
While a lift chair is very convenient, you may occasionally have to reset it. We are going to take a look at the ins and outs of lift chairs so you can learn what you need to know when it comes to resetting your chair. Let’s take a look.
Types of Lift Chairs
The types of lift chairs are classified based on the position they reach.
- Two-position Lift chairs: They recline up to 45 degrees so you are leaning only slightly. They have a footrest that must expand when you recline the backrest; they can’t operate separately. A two-position chair is ideal for reading and watching TV and they don’t take up much room.
- Three-position Lift chairs: The three-position recliner reclines to a nearly flat position. When the backrest is reclined, your knees and feet will be higher than your hips, so your body will be in a slight V shape at the hips. This is ideal if you want to have a nap or for folks who can’t sleep flat in their bed. The chair can recline from a seated position until it reaches its maximum recline degree.
- Infinite position: Also called a full recline or zero-gravity chair, this lift chair can recline so the backrest and footrest are parallel to the floor or any position in-between. This chair will allow you to have your legs stretched out in front of you. It can also be placed in the Trendelenburg position and zero gravity position.
What Are Lift Chairs Used For?
Lift chairs are suitable for people who have trouble getting up from a seated to a standing position owing to limited movement or balance concerns. However, their use is more than simply a sitting and standing aid.
In addition, they give therapeutic benefits to persons with stiff and aching joints, back pain, arthritis, and a range of other diseases, thanks to optional heat and massage capabilities. They also serve as a cheaper alternative to expensive bathtub adaptations for those who require heat and massage.
Use of Lift Chairs in Hospitals
More importantly, lift chairs are used in hospitals and clinics to treat specific diseases. This has greatly improved the recovery period of several patients.
- Patients recovering from lower-body injuries: The nature of the injuries means that a person cannot use their legs. Two prevalent occurrences that cause this are torn muscles and broken bones. Specific lift chair models are designed to improve circulation in addition to assisting in standing. “Infinite Position” lift chairs allow for a deep recline, with the user’s legs elevated above their heart.
- Patients recovering from upper-body injuries: During the transition from sitting to standing, the upper body region offers your body greater leverage. Injuries in this region greatly affect this transition process. Injuries such as shoulder tears and general injuries, as well as chest muscle rips, broken arm bones, and minor back injuries, are all common reasons for considering a lift chair. When a lift chair is at the fully extended ‘up’ position, the user can stand up without using their arms. Some lift chair models include extra lumbar support, making them suitable for people with minor back problems.
- Recovering cardio-vascular patients: Open heart surgery and other cardiovascular procedures are extremely delicate and require a significant amount of rest after them. Lift chairs eliminate the extra stress of trying to expend energy while trying to stand. Sleeping in a lift chair to prevent walking up and down stairs after cardiovascular surgery may be the best alternative if you don’t have a bed on the first floor. In the event of needing to lift a knee, it can be achieved with a lift chair by pressing a button.
Resetting Your Lift Chair
In the case where you are experiencing difficulty with your lift chair, a wise decision would be for you to troubleshoot all the possible causes of the malfunction. There are two major areas to troubleshoot in your lift chairs:
- The power source and motor
- The control box
Ensure that the power source cable is correctly connected and the plug is not damaged. Also, check if the motor was running after connecting to power. Check the control box, otherwise known as the remote, if it is on and responding appropriately.
You can proceed with a reset if the procedure stated above indicates that the lift chair was working correctly.
Follow the procedure below to reset your chair:
- Plug the power plug of the lift chair into the socket. Ensure that the connection is tight to eliminate any form of partial contact between the plug and the socket.
- Please be sure that no one is seated on the lift chair when the reset is about to be carried out. Ensure no one attempts to use the chair while it is resetting.
- Proceed to unplug the outlet from power for 10 seconds and then plug it back into the power supply afterward
- Hold down the massage symbol button for about 5 seconds. The lift chair will initiate a reset procedure.
- The reset procedure will involve the lift chair going through several positions while resetting.
- The reset is completed when the lift chair returns to the sitting position.
Final Thoughts
Lift chairs are becoming a larger part of our society which can be attributed to their usefulness beyond the walls of medical facilities. More homes with seniors are incorporating a lift chair into their home furniture, and knowing what to do when a fault occurs is invaluable