I am often asked by my clients or their loved ones about purchasing a lift chair. Lift chairs can be excellent tools and for some, the difference between being able to live independently or moving to Assisted Living. This is especially true for people that have late stage Parkinson's Disease (and the tendency to lean backwards when attempting to stand) as well as those individuals with severe osteoarthritis. That being said, lift chairs are not appropriate for every person. Below is a complied list of points to consider prior to purchasing a lift chair.

Use it or Lose it: The strength of our muscles is directly connected to how often we use them and the amount of load placed upon them. When utilizing the lifting function of the lift chair, you do not have to use as much muscular strength to transition into the standing position. If you do not continue to practice standing from lower surfaces, you will lose the strength to do so. It is much easier to maintain strength that you already have than it is to re-gain strength once lost.
Other sitting surface become more challenging: Not many other surfaces within a typical home are as tall as a lift chair when elevated. Because you gradually lose strength, getting on and off kitchen chairs, beds, and toilets can become harder to complete. Overtime the lift chair becomes the only surface people are able to stand independently from, even sleeping in the chair because getting in and out of bed becomes too difficult.
In extreme cases it can lead to social isolation: We can control the furniture height in our own home, but we cannot control surface heights in public. Not being able to stand from regular height chairs can make people hesitate before willingly going to a family members' homes, restaurants, or church due to fear of inability or not wanting others to help.
So you already have a lift chair...now what?
Ultimately the decision to buy a lift chair for yourself or a loved one is a personal one. Safety and maintaining independence should always be the top priority. If you or your loved one already has a lift chair or have made the decision to purchase one, here are a few things to do so that optimal strength is maintained.

Use the lift function only to the point you need it: Depending on your height, lift chairs can bring you up to almost a complete standing position. However, just because it can lift you to that point does not mean that you must use it at that height. To preserve more strength, only lift the chair to the point where you need it to stand. This is often considerably lower than the fully elevated position.
Increase your sit to stand repetition: Any easy way to preserve current strength levels is to practice more often. You can easily double the amount of sit to stand transitions in your day by simply standing up twice. Whenever you need to move to a new surface stand up, sit back down, and then stand up again before moving to your next location. Not only does this help maintain strength but you also get more activity spread throughout your day without a substantial change in schedule.
Practice sit to stand repetitions from lower surfaces: No other exercise maintains the lower extremity strength to go from sitting to standing than practicing the actual movement. I recommend doing this with an able-bodied helper present. A normal height firm chair with armrests is the best place to practice this. Do 5-10 sit to stand repetitions in a row. Your helper should proved as little help as possible to make the movement successful. Performing these 4 preparatory movements make standing more biomechanically efficient.
Scoot forwards so your buttocks is as close to the edge of the chair as possible without falling off.
Bend your knees as much as possible, moving your feet more beneath your body.
If the chair as arm place your hands on the arms. If it does not, place your hands on the front of the chair to push off
Lean forward as you start to stand. The phrase "nose over toes" is a common cue to help transition your body more over your feet.
Watch this video to see a step by step visual demonstration of this movement.

Taylor M. Leontios, PT, DPT, CSRS is the owner and operator of Lion Concierge Physical Therapy Services, PLLC. Though the above suggestions are provided by a licensed physical therapist, it does not constitute specific medical advice. You should consult with your personal physician prior to performing any exercise regimen.
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