Riser recliner chairs are specialised chairs that are designed to assist individuals with specific mobility needs and physical ailments, helping them to stand more easily. Unlike standard recliners, they feature a mechanism that gently tilts and lifts the chair, helping to raise the user to a standing position.
That means they’re a good choice for people who have mobility issues or struggle to get in and out of a regular chair independently. They’re also beneficial for people who suffer from neck, knee and hip pain, as they’re designed to support your muscles where you need it most.
Riser recliners are also beneficial for individuals with arthritis, back pain, joint stiffness, or limited mobility, as they help reduce strain on muscles and joints. They also promote better posture and pressure relief, ensuring long-term comfort.
Individuals with Mobility Issues
The key benefit of riser recliners is that they make it easier for individuals who have difficulty standing up from a seated position. A riser recliner has a built-in, motorised mechanism that helps users to transition smoothly from sitting to standing, reducing the risk of falling. This also helps to relieve pressure on joints and muscles, as well as helping to promote independence, allowing users to get in and out of their chair as they please, without the need for assistance.
We offer our riser recliners in a variety of sizes to ensure that every user gets the perfect size for their needs. That’s because here at HSL, we understand the importance of proper support and comfort, which is why we have collaborated with Dr Andrea Utley at the University of Leeds to study the physiological impacts of sitting in a well-fitted chair.
The research found that sitting in a chair that’s the correct size has a number of benefits, including:
- Reducing heart rate: promoting relaxation and reducing strain on the cardiovascular system.
- Improving oxygen flow: ensuring better circulation and overall well being.
- Lowering blood pressure: contributing to improved comfort and long-term health.
Elderly Population
As people age, they often experience decreased strength and mobility, which can mean that tasks like standing up from a seated position can be more difficult than they once were. It can even pose the risk of falling.
Riser recliners make this task easier by lifting the chair up slightly. That makes it easier for users to stand up, reducing the strain on the knees, hips and lower back – which can be especially beneficial for those with arthritis, osteoporosis, or general muscle weakness.
As well as supporting the muscles and joints, this gentle lifting motion can help to keep users independent for longer. There’s no need for assistance to get in and out of the chair – instead, at a simple touch of a button, users will be lifted to their feet.
Individuals with Health Conditions
For individuals with certain health conditions like arthritis, chronic pain, circulatory issues and back problems, it can be challenging to sit or stand for long periods. Whether it’s uncomfortable or even painful, riser recliners are designed to provide essential support and relief, making it more comfortable to sit down.
With generous cushioning to support your head, neck, shoulders and back, our riser recliners help to alleviate discomfort, while the smooth rising motion provides a gentle helping hand to get you to your feet, reducing strain on joints and muscles. This added support can help enhance independence and overall well-being at home.
Poor Circulation
Poor circulation can cause discomfort, swelling and fatigue, especially in the legs and feet. A range of conditions can cause poor circulation, including diabetes and varicose veins – and for anyone suffering from these conditions, maintaining proper blood flow is essential for overall health and wellbeing.
A riser recliner can help by allowing users to elevate their legs by raising the footrest up. This helps to encourage better circulation, reducing swelling and relieving pressure on the lower limbs.
By combining ergonomic support with adjustable positioning, riser recliners provide an effective way to improve comfort for those struggling with circulation issues.
Chronic Pain and Arthritis
Chronic pain and arthritis can make everyday movements like sitting and standing difficult and uncomfortable. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis as well as other chronic conditions like fibromyalgia can cause stiffness and joint pain – which means it’s important to have proper support when seated.
Ergonomic chairs are made with the natural curve of the spine in mind – something that’s particularly important for people with arthritis, in order to ensure you have proper lumbar support. This minimises the amount of stress on the lower back and hips, meaning it’s more comfortable to sit down.
It’s also important to look out for generous cushioning. Pressure points like the hips and lower back may feel painful when sitting down but padded cushions help to provide relief while helping to maintain good posture and improving circulation.
Long-Term Use and Comfort
For individuals who spend long periods sitting, riser recliner chairs provide essential ergonomic support and enhanced comfort. Designed with generous cushioning, lumbar support, and adjustable positions, they help reduce pressure on joints, promote good posture, and improve circulation.
Here at HSL, we believe in the power of feel-good furniture. That’s why we work with independent occupational therapists like Julie Jennings Dip COT HCPC. She tests and evaluates all of our furniture to make sure that it supports the body in all the right ways – and you can rest assured that you’re buying a chair that’s occupational therapist approved.
Plus, Julie and her team are instrumental in training our Comfort Specialists to understand what good posture looks like, the correct seating position and how to transfer properly in and out of a chair. That’s just one of the reasons why our Comfort Specialists are able to deliver such high quality advice to help you find the best chair or sofa for your needs.
Single vs. Dual Motor
There’s another choice to make when it comes to riser recliners: whether to opt for a single motor or dual motor model.
Single motor chairs offer basic recline and lift functions. When you recline the backrest, the footrest also rises at the same time. It’s a good option for those who don’t need to control the two elements separately, and those who prefer simple functionality.
Dual motor riser recliners allow you to have a little more control. The footrest and backrest can be operated independently of one another, offering greater flexibility to find the right position for you. Users can adjust their seating position more precisely, whether they want to elevate their legs while keeping the back upright or fully recline for relaxation.
Electric Recliner Options
Electric recliner chairs are easy to use, with simple button controls. That makes them perfect for users who need precise adjustments without manual effort. Unlike manual recliners which require some physical strength to adjust, electric models give users the power to change their position at the touch of a button.
And for those concerned about energy consumption, modern electric recliners are designed to be energy-efficient, using minimal electricity even with daily use.
Link to ‘Do riser recliner chairs use much electricity’ guide once live on site.
Considerations for Purchase
When choosing a riser recliner, it’s important to consider your specific needs and preferences to find the right chair for you. That includes things like:
- Your mobility requirements
- Whether you require a single or dual motor model
- What size of chair you need
- Whether you prefer a leather or fabric chair
- If you want additional features like heated seating
It’s also important to think about the available space in the home and whether a wall-away design is needed to fit smaller rooms.
To make sure you get the perfect fit for you, we recommended our Exclusive Chair Fitting service.
Buying Guide
Want to find out more about how to choose the best riser recliner to suit your needs? Our riser recliner buying guide includes everything you need to know.
Long-Term Investment
Investing in a high-quality riser recliner chair offers significant long-term benefits, especially for individuals with mobility issues, health conditions, or those requiring extended comfort and support. They’re designed to provide ergonomic support, reduce discomfort, and help users maintain independence.
By understanding the different features available, you can make a more informed decision about which riser recliner will suit your needs and enhance your daily living experience.
To help you find the right chair, we offer an exclusive Chair Fitting service. Our highly trained Comfort Specialists ensure that each point of the body is supported to maximise comfort and overall wellbeing. They’ll:
- Give you a copy of our Exclusive Chair Fitting Guide before conducting your personalised chair fitting.
- Talk you through the guide, explaining the importance of each point of contact between the chair and the body in detail.
- The Comfort Specialist will ask you for some information throughout the assessment to make sure the furniture is supporting you as it should.
- Once they’ve gathered all the information they need, the Comfort Specialist will be able to recommend the best chair for your needs.
And if you want to experience our Chair Fitting service from the comfort of your own home, we also offer home demonstrations. We’ll bring a selection of chairs for you to try out at home and offer friendly, expert advice with no pressure to buy. Get in touch to arrange a home demonstration today.
