Senior-Friendly Furniture

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For millions of seniors who struggle with arthritis pain and mobility issues, the simple task of sitting down and/or getting up from soft cushioned furniture can pose a big problem. Fortunately, to help provide a boost, there are a variety of home furnishing products and accessories that can make a living area a lot more functional.

Lift Recliners
Having been around for nearly 30 years now "electric recliner lift chairs" are one of the most popular types of senior-friendly furniture on the market today. While they look just like regular recliner chairs, lift recliners come with a built-in motor that actually raises and lowers the entire chair, which makes sitting down and getting up much easier.

With prices typically ranging between $600 and $2,000, you can find lift recliners at many medical supply stores and online including Mobility Living (405-672-7237) in OKC. You'll also need to know that Medicare provides some help purchasing a lift chair. They cover the lift mechanism portion, which equates to around $300 towards your purchase.

Other Options
If, however, the lift recliners don't appeal to your taste or budget, here are several other products on the market that might.

Risedale chairs: These are open-legged, wing back chairs that are very different from lift recliners because only the seat cushion lifts instead of the whole chair. Made by Uplift Technologies (up-lift.com, 800-387-0896), the Risedale retails for around $500. Uplift also sells a variety of portable seat lifts that can work with any chair in your home or you can take it when you travel. Available in OKC at Pro Source Medical (405-691-3237).

Couch Cane: Made by Standers, this nifty tool acts as a support handle that makes sitting and standing much easier and it works on both couches and recliners. It fits directly under the feet of the furniture for sturdy support. Couch Canes sell for around $100 and are sold online at medical equipment sites like medexsupply.com (888-433-2300) and activeforever.com (800-377-8033).

Furniture risers: Increasing the height of your existing furniture a few inches is another inexpensive way to make it more accessible. Furniture risers typically range from 2 to 5 inches in height, are made of heavy duty plastic or wood, and are inserted on the base of the legs or supports of your furniture. Costs range from a few dollars up to $50 and can be purchased at Walmart and Target, or online at amazon.com and mobilityhome.com.