Introduction: It is important that chairs and couches encourage good posture, are safe to use, are comfortable and are esthetically pleasing. Often couches and chairs are too low, making it difficult to get up and resulting in a "drop" to get down. Sometimes the seat is too high. Chair arms are important for getting up and down safely but can also interfere with transfer.
Steelcase Fabric Desk Chair
This desk chair is comfortable for most people and the pneumatic seat height adjustment can be used to assist in getting up and down. It also has adjustable arms and an optional headrest. The seat and backrest are fabric.
Estimated Price: $850.00
Ordering Information for Steelcase Desk Chair
Commentary: A lower cost option although not as esthetically pleasing is to use a chair cushion riser.
Electric-powered chair cushion riser.
This device gently lowers you into a chair, sofa or recliner. When you’re ready to get up, this cushion does the lifting. Comfortable, high density foam cushion and safe, non-slip bottom ensures riser stays in place. Folds flat for travel with built-in carrying handle. Electric-powered. Machine washable blue cover.
Estimated Price: $189.00
Ordering Information for Seat Riser
Note: Medicare Part B covers durable medical equipment. This includes "patient lifts," which are mechanical or hydraulic devices that help to safely lift a person out of or into a bed or chair and to avoid injuries to patients and caregivers.
Suggestion: When an “easy chair” needs replacing and is difficult to get up from, this is a good time to consider a lift chair/recliner.
Lift Chair/Recliner
This well-designed chair is both attractive and practical. When at rest, it appears to be simply an easy chair, but when needed, it gently, slowly and effectively assists the person to a full standing position, all the while allowing them to safely keep their feet on the ground. This unobtrusive, fashionable chair eliminates much of the burden required to lift someone who cannot stand to get out of the chair by themselves. ). It is also a recliner and if at least 3 inches from the wall, it will not scrape. The seat cushion is removable for easy cleaning and the upholstery can be either moisture impermeable, color resistant or vinyl.
Estimated Price: $1,415.00
Ordering Information for The Alzheimer’s Store Lift Chair
Information on Lifting Hoist from DolphinLifts
Walking.
Commentary: There are three basic reasons to use a cane, walker, rollator (wheeled walker) or wheelchair:
1 You cannot stand reliably on one or both of your legs
(decreased weight bearing):
2 Fatigue or decreased endurance:
3 Poor balance:
Using an aid should provide at least one of these benefits:
- increase independence in daily activities (toileting, bathing, in/out of bed)
- improve mobility in the home
- community access
- improve safety
- improve limited breathing ability
- To improve exercise tolerance
Some seniors have difficulty in managing a cane, some have difficulty with a rollator. In such cases a stable walker may be a better choice.
Some considerations in choosing a walking aid are:
- Do I need a walker or is a cane sufficient?
- Stairs (inside, outside): Do I need a lightweight walker to carry up and down stairs?
- Do I need a second walker?
- Do I live with someone who can help me carry the walker?
- Carpeting: Can I move my walker over the carpet?
- Parking (inside, outside, distance): Are there any barriers between where I park or where I get in and out of a car and my home?
- Transportation (independent driver, family or friends drive, community transportation for people with disabilities, or taxi/public transportation):
- Will my walker fit my mode of transportation?
- Can I lift it into my vehicle if I’m alone?
- Can I fold it up and unfold it reliably?
- Do I need a seat built into my walker if distances are longer than I can walk?
- Do I need a wheelchair instead of a cane or walker?
The final choice of a walking assistive device is usually based on a series of compromises defined by your physical status, the different places you walk, the activities in which you participate, availability of assistance or supervision if needed, and your budget.
If there is any question as to which device is the right choice for you, it is best to seek assistance from a certified therapist, such as a physical or occupational therapist.
Climbing Steps.
Climbing steps is primarily a function of muscular strength and endurance of the quadriceps and hamstrings, balance, range of movement, knee and hip pain, and upper body assistance. Railings should be installed on stairways to provide upper body assistance and for safety. An exercise program to maintain leg strength and endurance should incorporate actual stair climbing within the limitations of safety, pain and range of movement. Walking is usually an excellent exercise but does not emphasize leg strength and stair climbing muscle endurance. Therefore we suggest an elliptical trainer or recumbent bike.
Spirit XBR25 Recumbent Bike
The Spirit XBR25 Recumbent Bike is a extremely compact recumbent bike with an easy access walk-thru design that was highly rated by Consumer Reports. The Spirit XBR25 Recumbent Bike features a mesh seatback for maximum comfort, it has 20 levels of resistance and oversized footpedals with a 2-degree inward slant to provide a natural feel. Additionally, the Spirit XBR25 Recumbent Bike provides both contact and telemetry heart rate monitoring, a blue backlit LCD screen as well as cooling fans and a water bottle holder.
Estimated Price : $1,099.00
Ordering Information for Recumbent Bike
NordicTrack AudioStrider 990 Elliptical Trainer
Ellipticals are odd-looking contraptions, a fusion of stair climber and cross-country ski machine that you stand on and pedal. Your feet move in an elliptical pattern, and a flywheel with resistance you can vary controls the difficulty of the workout. This one was rated as a "best value" by Consumer Reports.
Estimated Price: $849.00