With an ever-growing population of elderly individuals, chair lifts at home have risen over the past decade. These chairs are utilized to help those with limited mobility to feel more independent and also to help relieve the aches and pains of those conditions that caused the limited mobility. Because of their popularity, there are a lot of questions out there about chair lifts. One of those happens to be how safe are chair lifts?
In this brief article, we’re going to take a look at that as well as who should use them, what they are, and the benefits that one can take advantage of by investing in a high-quality chair lift. So without further ado, let’s get right into it.
Chair Lifts Explained
A chair lift is a device that looks like a standard recliner but is outfitted with mechanisms and components that help lift the individual into a standing position from the sitting position. Most of the time, these chairs can also be used as recliners, and many of them offer advanced features like massage and heating to help with mobility issues.
You have to be very careful about the size you choose because one size is not perfect for everyone. Every chair is designed with a particular body type in mind, and you must choose one accordingly to make it as safe as possible to use.
Who Should Use A Chair Lift?
The truth is that a wide range of individuals could benefit from using a chair lift. But they are especially beneficial for those of an older age that are suffering from a mobility issue or arthritis. These individuals tend to struggle with stability issues, especially in the legs and back, and have extreme weakness in those body parts.
A chair lift will help relieve some of the unwanted strain on those joints and muscles and relieve pain from these conditions. This means that if you suffer from this or know someone who suffers from these conditions, a chair lift would be an excellent investment.
Benefits & Disadvantages of a Chair Lift
When it comes to understanding the safety and why investing in a chair lift is a good idea, you also want to understand the benefits and disadvantages that come with this type of investment. Of course, the primary benefit is the extra mobility and feeling of independence one gets from using a chairlift.
Not only can you comfortably get into the seat and out of it, but you can also recline to relieve undue stress in certain areas. This can help decrease wear and tear on those joints as well as reduce the pain and inflammation caused by excessive pressure put on them.
Also, you will receive a feeling of independence, as we mentioned above. Frequently, as one ages and things deteriorate, one can lose control of their life. By investing in this chair, you are giving those elderly individuals back a touch of their freedom, which could help improve their physical health and mental health.
When it comes to disadvantages, the massive one is the fact that these chairs are not cheap. Often they are going to be quite a good investment, but they will cost you a bit. Luckily, many healthcare providers will foot the bill for the chair, or most of the chair, as long as your doctor says it’s a necessity.
How Safe are Chair Lifts?
Before we answer how safe they are, let’s talk about if they can keep an individual safe. The use of these chairs can help both a caregiver as well as the person utilizing the chair save themselves from a lot of strain and hurt. So yes, these can save a person a lot of time and effort.
These systems are often powered by electricity and are outfitted with backup power supplies so that if something goes wrong, they won’t be stuck in any position. This means that they offer a considerable level of security when it comes to mobility issues and the care of those with them.
Many people wonder if these chairs are truly safe. The fact is that when they are manufactured, they are carefully tested and designed with safety in mind. The companies that provide these chairs put them through rigorous tests because of the individuals that are purchasing them.
Often, extra safety measures are put in place to ensure nothing can go wrong. These can include full padding on the arms and a low adjustment speed for the lift function. These factors make this product super safe to use and one that is well worth the investment.
A Few Things To Look For When Investing in a Chair Lift
Now that you know that it is a safe investment, we wanted to share a few key attributes that could be included in your chair lift that might make it even more attractive.
There is a wide range of extra accessories that can come with each of the different models available, and here are some of the extra features that many models have that we suggest you look for:
- Reclining capabilities
- Massage & heating technology
- Organization accessories (like cup holders and side pockets)
- USB ports
Final Thoughts
For those suffering from mobility issues or the pains of arthritis, investing in a chair lift is a great idea. You want to find one that fits the individual’s particular needs and addresses their body type and health concerns.
But no matter which one you choose, you have to understand that they are safe and can help build safety and security into the routines of these individuals. Offering them the ability to ease the pains of their mobility issues and health concerns while granting independence will give these individuals a happier, healthier life.
So we hope we have helped by taking an in-depth look at chair lifts and have helped you feel more comfortable investing in a chair lift. We know that if you choose to invest in one, you won’t regret it!