A riser recliner chair is a brilliant investment for people who struggle with their current armchair or want to regain their comfort and independence. In this article, we’ll explore who can benefit from a riser recliner chair at home, exploring the different types and features.
Keep reading to help find the perfect chair for you or a loved one’s needs. Prefer to get expert advice? Our team of friendly advisors are here to guide you through the process, starting with a consultation.
Who Is a Riser Recliner Chair For?
Riser recliners are usually purchased by someone with mobility issues or for health reasons. Unlike a traditional armchair, riser recliner chairs make it easier for people to recline, stand up and sit down in their chair.
They are also becoming popular with those who want to relax in a comfortable and supportive position not achievable with a standard armchair. Riser recliners provide various seated positions for enhanced comfort and allow for effortless foot and leg elevation. They not only enhance the sitting experience at home but also have a positive impact on the overall health and well-being of users.
Elderly individuals
As we get older, daily activities like standing up from the sofa can become difficult and impact independence. Meanwhile, traditional chairs and sofas don’t promote good posture, which can cause discomfort and pain for elderly people.
A riser recliner chair is an excellent solution for elderly individuals at home. It provides essential support, making it easier for the elderly to stand and sit with confidence and minimal effort. These chairs also promote better posture and alleviate back pain by creating a natural 'S' shape for the spine, as opposed to slouching, encouraging a healthier sitting position for elderly users who may spend longer periods sitting down.
Furthermore, a riser recliner chair helps prevent falls for elderly people by providing a stable and controlled transition from sitting to standing, reducing the risk of losing balance or slipping. By minimising physical effort and discomfort, a riser recliner chair gives elderly users a safe and comfortable solution and promotes their independence.
Those with a disability
Riser recliner chairs are particularly beneficial for individuals living with disabilities that affect their mobility, strength, or balance. These chairs are designed to assist with the transition between sitting and standing, which can be challenging for people with limited physical capabilities. The motorised mechanism in a riser recliner gradually lifts the user to a standing position, reducing the strain on joints, muscles, and the lower back. This function is invaluable for those with conditions such as arthritis, muscular dystrophy, or spinal cord injuries, where standing up or sitting down can be a strenuous task.
Moreover, riser recliner chairs offer customisable seating positions that can be adjusted to meet the specific needs of users with disabilities. For example, individuals who require elevated legs for circulation issues or those who need to recline to relieve pressure on certain parts of the body will find these chairs highly supportive. The ability to adjust the chair's position with ease also empowers users with disabilities to find a comfortable posture independently, without needing to rely on constant assistance from caregivers or family members.
In addition to enhancing physical comfort, riser recliner chairs contribute to a greater sense of autonomy for individuals with disabilities. By providing the means to sit, recline, and stand without assistance, these chairs can improve the quality of life and boost confidence, making daily routines more manageable and less dependent on others.
Individuals struggling with mobility
If you or someone you know is struggling with mobility, a riser recliner chair is an excellent option. These types of chairs offer essential support and ease of movement, making transitioning from seated to standing with minimal effort – reducing strain on the body.
The gentle lift-then-tilt feature of a riser recliner chair also helps to maintain independence and reduce the risk of falls. Meanwhile, the reclining feature allows users with mobility challenges to find a supportive and relaxing posture throughout the day.
Those with aches and pains
People experiencing aches and pains can find a riser recliner chair effective. This also applies to those recovering from surgery or an injury – a riser recliner can be a key part of the healing process.
After surgery, especially orthopaedic procedures like hip or knee replacements, getting up and down from a seated position can be painful and challenging. A riser recliner chair makes this much easier by taking the weight off healing areas and minimises discomfort.
Additionally, the chair's ability to recline to different angles can assist with various recovery needs. For instance, elevating the legs can reduce swelling, while reclining can help with breathing and circulation, particularly after surgeries that require patients to keep their upper body elevated. This versatility makes the riser recliner an excellent option for post-operative care, as it allows users to adjust their position throughout the day without needing to move to a bed or another chair.
Who buys a riser recliner chair?
As mentioned previously, a riser recliner chair is suitable for a variety of people, including those who are simply looking to elevate their comfort. However, they are often purchased by someone with mobility issues or individual needs.
Individuals in need
Individuals purchase riser recliner chairs to regain comfort, independence, and support. These chairs are especially helpful for elderly individuals with mobility issues and those living with disabilities that affect their strength or balance. Additionally, people struggling with mobility, aches, and pains, or those recovering from surgery or injury find that a riser recliner chair can significantly contribute to their comfort and well-being. The chair's features, such as the ability to recline, stand up, and sit down with ease, provide essential support and promote better posture. This makes daily activities more manageable and reduces dependency on others.
Caregivers
Caring for someone else can be physically and emotionally demanding, which is why carers may purchase a riser recliner chair to enhance the comfort, safety, and independence of the person they care for.
Riser recliners help reduce physical strain for both the caregiver and the individual by making transfers in and out of the chair easier and safer. This minimises the risk of injury during these movements. The chair's adjustable positions also allow caregivers to easily position their loved one for activities such as eating, reading, or resting, ensuring they remain comfortable and well-supported throughout the day.
Furthermore, riser recliners contribute to patient well-being and can greatly improve the quality of care provided at home, fostering greater independence for the user and reducing the workload for the carer.
Medical Professionals
Medical professionals, particularly occupational therapists (OTs), often recommend or purchase riser recliner chairs for their clients due to the significant benefits these chairs offer in promoting health, comfort, and independence. OTs work closely with individuals who have specific mobility needs or health conditions, helping them to manage daily activities more effectively. A riser recliner chair can be a critical tool in achieving these goals, as it provides tailored support and ease of movement for those who struggle with standard seating options.
OTs may also recommend riser recliner chairs for clients who require assistance with standing and sitting, ensuring they can move safely and independently. The chair’s motorised lift function minimises the physical effort needed to transition between positions, reducing the risk of falls and enabling users to maintain their independence for longer. By recommending a riser recliner, OTs provide their clients with a practical solution that not only enhances comfort but also supports overall well-being and quality of life.
Read more from our expert author and Occupational Therapist, Barbara Franks, in her latest article "How to sit on the sofa with sciatica."
Features of a Riser Recliner
At Opera Beds, our riser recliner chairs have a range of features designed to elevate your comfort and make life easier.
Reclining function
As their name suggests, a riser recliner chair can recline to various positions, making it much quicker to find a comfortable one. Sitting in a reclining position has many benefits including promoting better posture.
If you or a loved one has back pain, reclining your chair can help provide significant relief by minimising strain on the lower back, neck and shoulders. Furthermore, for individuals with chronic pain or recovering from surgery, the reclining feature takes pressure away from the body, helping you relax and restore during recovery.
Single or dual motor
When considering purchasing a riser recliner chair, you will see different motor options. At Opera, we offer both single and dual-motor chairs to suit your needs and budget. Read here the differences between single and dual motor chairs.
Single Motor chairs have one motor which controls the back and footrest simultaneously.
- Ideal for elderly individuals who require basic assistance standing up and sitting down
- Beneficial for those recovering from surgery or injury, where ease of movement is needed without complex adjustments
- Suitable for individuals with conditions like arthritis, where the primary need is assistance with standing up and sitting down, without the need for multiple seating positions.
- Helps users who require a straightforward and easy-to-use chair for daily comfort.
- Budget-conscious buyers looking for a solution to improve mobility and comfort at home.
For dual-motor riser recliner chairs, these operate with two motors that control the backrest and footrest individually. Dual motor chairs may be better suited for the following:
- Elderly users with specific comfort needs or experience pain and discomfort in standard chairs.
- Individuals with significant mobility issues who require advanced support.
- People recovering from surgery or managing chronic conditions where precise positions are needed.
- People with disabilities that require individual control over the backrest and footrest such as spinal cord injury or severe arthritis.
- Buyers wanting enhanced comfort and functionality that support long-term health and well-being.
Unsure which chair is right for you or a loved one? Contact our team today who’ll guide you through to the perfect solution.
Another key feature of a riser recliner chair is the lift mechanism (riser function). The riser function gently lifts the user to a standing position, making it an invaluable aid for those who struggle with mobility. It’s especially beneficial for elderly individuals, people recovering from surgery, or anyone with a medical condition where standing up is difficult.
By reducing the physical effort required to stand, the riser function helps maintain independence, enhances safety, and minimises the risk of falls. It's a thoughtful solution for anyone needing extra support when transitioning from sitting to standing, offering both comfort and confidence in daily activities.
Rise function
Another key feature of a riser recliner chair is the lift mechanism (riser function). The riser function gently lifts the user to a standing position, making it an invaluable aid for those who struggle with mobility. It’s especially beneficial for elderly individuals, people recovering from surgery, or anyone with a medical condition where standing up is difficult.
By reducing the physical effort required to stand, the riser function helps maintain independence, enhances safety, and minimises the risk of falls. It's a thoughtful solution for anyone needing extra support when transitioning from sitting to standing, offering both comfort and confidence in daily activities.
Headrest support
The headrest support feature of a riser recliner chair is designed to provide targeted relief and comfort for individuals experiencing neck pain and discomfort. By offering adjustable support to the head and neck, this feature helps maintain proper alignment of the spine, reducing strain and tension in the neck area.
It is particularly beneficial for those who suffer from chronic neck pain, arthritis, or muscle stiffness, as it allows users to find a comfortable position that alleviates pressure on the neck. Additionally, the headrest support is ideal for individuals who spend extended periods sitting, ensuring their head and neck are well-supported, preventing discomfort and enhancing overall relaxation.
Tilt-in-space posture control
All Opera riser recliner chairs have tilt-in-space as standard which is a perfect way to promote better posture and spinal support.
Tilt-in-space is where the back angle remains at a constant 90 degrees whilst the seat tilts – maintaining the angle of your back, hips, knees and ankles.
People who have limited mobility or are at risk of pressure sores can benefit from the tilt-in-space feature, as it redistributes weight without requiring adjustments across areas such as the back, hips, or legs.
Leg-Extender
A riser recliner chair has an elevating leg-rest section which alleviates pressure from the legs and feet. Users with circulation problems or oedema (swelling) can greatly benefit from sitting with their legs elevated.
Furthermore, this feature is particularly beneficial for individuals with circulation issues, such as those with varicose veins or swelling, as it helps improve blood flow and reduce discomfort. It is also ideal for people recovering from lower limb surgery or injury, providing essential support and promoting healing.
See if a riser recliner is right for you today
Overall, a riser recliner chair is an ideal solution for anyone looking to elevate their comfort at home.
Our friendly team is available to find the right chair for you or a loved one. Choose how you’d like to get started today:
Call Consultation – Speak with an expert over the phone, call now or request a callback.
Showroom Visit – Try our chairs in person at either our Yorkshire or Buckinghamshire showroom.
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