When it comes to recliners with lift features, better known as lift chairs, there’s a mountain of myths and misconceptions. A great many lift chair FAQs have to do with the past usage of these helpful products within the medical industry. But that’s not all they’re useful for.
Our goal here today is to unpack all of those common misconceptions, to separate the fact from the fiction, and to help shoppers like you figure out if a lift chair will benefit your life. Let’s go!
Fact or Fiction: 7 Common Lift Chair Myths & FAQs
1) Aren’t Lift Chairs Just for the Sick and the Elderly?
False. Despite hearing this from far too many shoppers, we consider this myth to be absolutely, positively busted. Only a few short years ago, our mattress experts would get this same objection regarding to adjustable bases. “I ain’t old enough for one of those ‘hospital beds’”. These days, most consumers understand that adjustable bases have tons of features that can benefit literally anybody.
Similarly, power lift chairs have an unearned stigma that they’re only for the sick or elderly. In reality, lift chairs are just power recliners with an added lift function. That makes them perfect for everyone from grandma and grandpa, to those with handicaps and disabilities, to the student athlete with a sports injury, to those recovering from surgery, to expectant mothers and new parents.
2) Well, I’m Too Young or Healthy for a Lift Chair Anyway.
Not necessarily! Lift chairs are literally for anyone who could benefit from their features. There should be no shame or apprehension about a furniture product designed to make your life better or more convenient. For that matter, modern lift chairs don’t even look any different than a regular recliner. Remember, a lift chair is simply a power recliner with some extra bells and whistles.
Are you shopping for a new recliner but have an upcoming surgery that could limit your mobility – even temporarily? A lift chair could be a worthwhile purchase while you’re in recovery. Do you have an infant, or are you pregnant or actively trying to conceive? More and more often, we see pregnant women and young moms and dads buying lift chairs to put in their living spaces or even the nursery. Getting up and down while pregnant, nursing, or otherwise holding a baby is hard enough already, and a recliner with a walk-out feature can be super helpful.
3) But What Happens If I Lose Power? I Don’t Want to Be Stuck!
You won’t be! The vast majority of lift chairs have a small reserve battery with enough juice to let the footrest down and/or give you a boost out of your chair. Many lift chairs and some power recliners use simple 9-volt batteries for this purpose.
Alternatively, we have rechargeable battery packs available specifically designed for “floating” power recliners and lift chairs that aren’t near an outlet. With this option, you won’t even need to plug in your chair. Just charge the battery pack every so often and you’re good to go!
4) I Really Don’t Want a Chair That Looks Like It Belongs in A Hospital.
Well, it’s a good thing that manufacturers make lift chairs in all sorts of styles these days! As we mentioned once already, lift chairs have a stigma in the minds of some consumers much like adjustable bases used to. However, lift chairs have come a long way from those drab, utilitarian, medical-looking chairs you’d find in a hospital room.
Since a lift chair is essentially just a recliner with an added function, you can easily find lift chairs to fit just about any color scheme or décor style – from traditional to transitional, to contemporary! In fact, manufacturers like UltraComfort, England and Best Furniture actually allow you to customize the style and upholstery of your reclining lift chair!
5) Since Lift Chairs Are a Special Item, I’m Sure I’ll Be Waiting for a While, Right?
That’s another negative. Although many lift chair manufacturers do offer complete customization of frame, upholstery fabric and other features, we have numerous in-stock models that you can take home with you today. In fact, since power lift chairs can sometimes represent an urgent need for some customers, we’re authorized to sell you one right off of our showroom floor if needed.
We love that we can give our shoppers the option to take one home today, or truly make it their own. Currently, we offer in-stock and custom lift chairs from brands like UltraComfort, Catnapper, HomeStretch, England Furniture, Best Furniture & Signature Design by Ashley.
6) Will My Insurance, HSA, or Medicare Pay for a Lift Chair?
Unfortunately, we can’t really say one way or another on this one. Customers ask us this question on a daily basis, but this isn’t one that we’re qualified to answer for you since there are so many different variables and legal considerations.
Depending on your medical treatment history, doctor’s recommendation, insurance plan, and level of coverage, you may (or may not) qualify for a partial reimbursement of your lift chair purchase. For all those details, be sure to coordinate with your insurance and medical care providers.
7) I’m a Big (or Small) Guy or Gal. I Don’t Think a Lift Chair Will Work for Me.
Nonsense! A reclining lift chair can improve and support your daily life regardless of your age, weight or size. Our selection of lift chair recliners includes some models that can accommodate weights of up to 500lbs. They are also available in a variety of seat widths and seat heights perfect for big-and-tall and petite users alike.
Lift Chair Benefits | Who Is a Good Fit for a Recliner w/ a Lift Option?
By now, we all know that recliners with a lift option are extraordinarily helpful for seniors and those with disabilities. However, do any of the following sound like you? If so, a lift chair may be perfect for you.
Do you have any mobility issues, great or small? This can range from chronic pain in the feet, legs, knees, hips, or lower back, to something as ordinary as occasional joint pain from overexertion.
Are you anticipating any upcoming surgeries requiring extended recovery times or physical therapy? A recliner with a walk-out option could be a huge benefit to you. And once you’ve recovered, you’ll still have a convenient power recliner loaded with other features.
Do you have any condition that results in poor circulation including swelling of the legs and feet? A lift chair with a zero-gravity recline setting, heat or massage could help with circulation too!
How about sports? Are you or someone in your household an active athlete at risk for various sports injuries? Even if you’re dealing with something as minor as a pulled muscle or tendonitis, a lift chair can make a real difference when it comes to sitting down and getting back up.
Lastly, if you’re pregnant or have a baby, a recliner with a lift or walkout feature is super convenient. Not only does the lift option help all the literal ups-and-downs of caring for little ones, many of them also have massage or heat features great for exhausted and sleep-deprived moms and dads.
In case you didn’t notice, the answer to “Who is a good fit for a reclining lift chair?” is literally anyone that finds the features useful. Even if you mostly use it to recline and watch TV.
Power Lift Chairs Near Me? Look No Further Than Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet!
Did we answer your questions and concerns about lift chairs today? If you have other questions left, be sure to ask us on our convenient web chat. We’d love to hear them!
If you’re on the hunt for a recliner with a lift option, we’ve got a solid collection of lift chairs here at Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet at a variety of price points. What are you waiting for? Come try them today for yourself at our Acworth, Dallas/Hiram, and Rome, GA furniture stores!
