Selecting the right recliner is crucial for seniors, allowing them to relax comfortably while promoting health and independence. With ergonomic design, adjustability features, and the right materials, recliners can significantly improve seniors’ quality of life.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about choosing the best recliner for your older people’s loved ones.
Introduction
As we age, factors like limited mobility, pain, and other health issues can make it increasingly difficult to sit comfortably. The right recliner chair makes a world of difference by providing ergonomic support, ease of use, and relaxation.
This article discusses the key considerations for seniors when shopping for a new recliner. We’ll cover the specific needs seniors have for their seating, the most important features to look for, proper sizing and fit, health benefits, care and maintenance, and tips for making the best selection.
With this valuable information, you’ll be equipped to choose the perfect recliner to maximize your senior loved one’s comfort and independence.
Understanding the Needs of Seniors
To select the ideal recliner for a senior, you first need to understand the physical conditions and accessibility requirements that affect their seating needs.
Seniors often experience issues like:
- Arthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Chronic back or hip pain
- Limited mobility
- Reduced strength and dexterity
These age-related changes emphasize the importance of choosing a chair that makes sitting down and getting up as easy as possible. Key features to look for include seat height, armrests, and an effective reclining mechanism.
You’ll also want to consider lumbar support, seat depth and width, and padding density to accommodate any painful joints or areas. Prioritizing ergonomics and support helps prevent further discomfort or injury.
“For seniors, the right chair isn’t a luxury, but a necessity. Investing in an ergonomic, supportive recliner can make all the difference in managing pain and preserving independence.” – Helen James, Occupational Therapist
Key Features to Look for in a Recliner for Seniors
Considering seniors’ specific requirements and accessibility needs, some features take higher priority when selecting the ideal recliner model.
Ergonomic Design
A chair with excellent ergonomics properly aligns the body to reduce strain and discomfort. For seniors, the best recliners provide lumbar support, adjustability, and a shape that cradles their frame.
Look for models with padded armrests, cushioned headrests, and bucket seats that relieve pressure. Prioritize chairs sized appropriately for the senior’s height and weight to ensure optimal comfort.
Reclining Mechanism
While manual reclining options involve less cost, power recliners make adjusting the chair significantly easier. This makes them ideal for seniors lacking mobility or strength.
Power lift chairs use motors to smoothly recline and lift the user into a standing position. This makes sitting down and rising much simpler for those with limited flexibility or pain.
Consider the senior’s range of movement and degree of assistance needed to determine whether a manual or powered recliner suits their needs.
Material and Durability
Recliner materials impact comfort, ease of maintenance, and durability:
- Leather offers a luxurious look, with easy cleaning. But it retains more heat and costs more.
- Fabric provides greater breathability, especially useful for chairs with heating features. But fabric stains less easily than leather.
- Vinyl makes a very durable, affordable option that’s waterproof and easy to clean. But it doesn’t breathe as well as fabric.
Inspect frames, manufacturing quality, stitching, and padding density to assess durability. More maneuverable chairs with power features warrant sturdier construction.
Extra Features for Added Comfort
Additional features to enhance seniors’ relaxation and experience:
- Heated surfaces help soothe arthritis and muscle pain.
- Built-in massage increases circulation, reducing swelling and discomfort.
- Adjustable armrests, foot, and headrests enable custom alignment.
- USB ports, storage pockets, and even cup holders maximize convenience.
Prioritize features that suit the senior’s needs and preferences for maximal comfort.
“My power lift chair has been life changing. Now I can relax and recline with the simple press of a button, without struggling or depending on my children for help.” – Martha Thompson, 74
Types of Best Recliners for a Senior
Rocker Recliner
The rocker recliner is the first recliner for a senior in our list of different recliners. It is perfect for someone who wants a living room or nursery recliner. It is exceptional when you want to curl up and watch a movie, read a book, or get up to feed your baby at night.
This recliner uses the concept of a traditional rocking chair with a modern twist added to it. So, you can sit and be rocked back and forth without the effort of having to move to rock it yourself.
You can position the rocker recliner in different positions. The backrest gives you the option of many reclining positions, and you are not limited to having only an upright or a straight recline position. You can place it anywhere, including near the wall, and it is the best option for when you have small places.
You can get an automatic rocker recliner, where you control the chair with a button, or a manual one, where you pull the lever and position the recliner to your liking.
Two-Position RECLINERS
The second on our list of the different types of recliners is the two-position recliner. This recliner is the most affordable option for buying a recliner. It has the primary functions that one would like on a recliner.
As the name suggests, it can only be put into two positions: fully upright and fully reclined. This type of recliner is transcendent if you have a large space, as it is bulky and takes up a lot of space. It usually comes in leather and sometimes might use vinyl on the side and back panel. It will last you some time, with its durability. One downfall that one might face is that it has limited fabric, color, and design alternatives.
Push-Back Recliner
If you are looking for a recliner for a senior that is simple to use and designed to take less space; then the push-back recliner is the one to consider. To recline this recliner, all you have to do is sit down and push it back to the position you want, and it’s easy. There are no levers or buttons, just the need to push into place.
This type of recliner for a senior is the best for people with limited space, like people living in apartments. It has a large selection of designs that you can choose from to give your room a sleek yet compact recliner for it to fit in a compressed space.
The three reasons to get a push-back recliner are that it is stylish, saves space, and your hands are free (you do not have to look for a button or lever to change the position).
The Riser Recliner
If you are looking for a versatile and multifunctional recliner, then the Riser is the one you should buy. The recliner is motorized, making it easy to adjust the footrest, backrest, and height and angle you want. As it is motorized, it is an expensive type of recliner.
This recliner is excellent for people who have a physical disability of any kind, or injury, or for older people. It provides exceptional assistance in sitting or standing when you require it.
You have to position the recliner near an electric socket as it needs electricity to work, so it limits where you can place the riser recliner. The one downfall many may face is that you need a vast space for this recliner.
The Orthopedic Recliner
Suppose you want a recliner, which will put you in a good posture supporting your body to rest. This recliner helps to release pressure from your back, neck, legs, and mind. Orthopedic recliners have a design to ensure that you get optimal back support.
One who needs support to get out of a chair will find this one useful. It is also great for nursing mothers, as it will reveal pressure, and their bodies will feel less tired. It allows a person to breathe better and keep their heart at a moderate rate. Overall, it provides relief from pains and aches a person may have.
How to Measure for the Perfect Fit
In addition to features, take accurate measurements of the senior when shopping for a recliner to achieve the proper sizing. This ensures maximum comfort and support.
Measurements to take include:
- Seat height: Floor to the crease where the seat and back cushion meet
- Seat width and depth: Widest portion of cushion from edge to edge
- Space where the chair will go: Length, width, and doorway clearance
Match these dimensions as closely as possible to potential chair models under consideration. Scale the size up or down based on user height and weight.
Compare top models’ dimensions:
| Model | Seat Height | Seat Width | Seat Depth | Space Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Divine Home Doural | 20” | 24” | 21” | 30” x 30” |
| Irene House Luzon | 18”-20” | 26” | 20” | 29” x 33” |
| Comhorto Rex | 16”-19” | 27” | 22” | 32” x 31” |
Getting accurate measurements ensures the selected chair fits the senior’s body properly. This allows them to sit supported and comfortable, with their feet resting firmly on the floor.
The Health Benefits of a Good Recliner
Beyond comfort and relaxation, recliners specifically designed for seniors provide extensive health benefits, including:
- Improved circulation: Adjustable leg rests to allow the legs to be elevated above the heart, boosting blood flow.
- Reduced swelling: Raising the legs and feet alleviates fluid buildup and edema in the lower body.
- Greater pain relief: Ergonomic support and heating/massage features significantly relieve back, hip, and joint pain.
- Enhanced healing: The ability to rest comfortably facilitates recovery from surgeries, injury, or illness.
- Lower heart rate and blood pressure: The calming effects of reclining and resting decrease strain on the cardiovascular system.
Studies demonstrate seniors requiring hip replacements recover faster with movement-assisting recliners to gradually regain flexibility. Those using ergonomic chairs experience 25% greater pain reduction versus standard chairs.
Recliners aren’t merely comfy seats for lounging. Their tailored design provides major health and mobility perks for the older people.
Tips for Choosing the Right Recliner
To select the ideal chair for a senior’s requirements and environment, keep these key tips in mind:
- Test out display model chairs in-store: Have them sit, adjust positions, and get up to assess comfort, ease of use, and fit.
- Measure room dimensions and doorways: Ensure ample space for chair clearance, with room for seat extension and user accessibility.
- Check the chair’s warranty: Opt for at least 1 year of coverage of defects, particularly in parts and mechanisms.
- Talk to the senior’s doctor or OT: Get specific recommendations for features and models to best meet the user’s health needs.
- Have someone assist the senior when adjusting to a new chair until they get the hang of the settings and positioning. Proper use prevents injury.
- Select durable, easy-to-clean materials suitable for daily use, adapting as needs change over time.
Getting the right fit and features from the start minimizes difficult adjustments later on. Consider the chair as an investment in maintaining or enhancing quality of life.
Maintenance and Care
To keep a recliner chair functioning properly and the senior user safe, carry out regular maintenance:
- Inspect the lever handles, power buttons, and footrest frequently. Replace loose, damaged, or worn parts promptly.
- Check the condition of cushions and replace shaping/padding inserts when indentations exceed one inch.
- Tighten loose bolts or hardware using screwdrivers or Allen wrenches to avoid breakage hazards.
- Lubricate mechanical parts every 6 months with silicone spray to maintain smooth motion. Avoid over-lubricating.
- Follow all manufacturer instructions for the chair’s care and cleaning.
For fabric upholstery, immediately treat spills and stains. Spot clean with a gentle cleanser, and allow to fully dry. Vacuum routinely to prevent the buildup of dirt and crumbs in crevices.
Gently wipe the leather with a moist soft cloth using mild soap and water. Condition occasionally with leather oil to avoid cracks.
Taking proper care of a recliner ensures older people can utilize these important chairs safely for many years. Check-in with the user regularly to see if any adjustments or replacements could boost their comfort.
Conclusion
Selecting the right recliner chair plays a key role in providing vital support and promoting health as we age. Considering older people’s specific physical and accessibility needs makes finding that perfect model much simpler.
Maximizing ergonomic comfort, adjustability, ease of use and durability permits older people the safe, independent relaxation they deserve. Match these with proper sizing, positioning, and routine care for years of happy reclining ahead!
