In a previous post, we discussed the most effective method for standing up from a chair by optimizing your body mechanics. This should always be your initial approach, accompanied by a leg strengthening routine, before considering the purchase of equipment to assist you in standing.
If you’ve attempted these strategies but still struggle to stand up from a chair, you may require additional assistance in the form of equipment. In this post, I’ll outline the various options available to you, progressing from lower to higher levels of assistance. It’s essential to aim for the least amount of help necessary, encouraging the use of your own body strength to stand as much as possible.
Let’s begin with the first option:
- Furniture risers: Placing risers under the legs of a couch or chair raises the seat height, making it easier to stand up. Start with 2″ risers and increase to 4″ if necessary. A general rule is to ensure that when sitting, your hips are even or slightly higher than your knees. Avoid raising furniture higher than 4″, as elevating it further may compromise safety.
2. Firm boards for sagging cushions: Some couches have cushions with more give, so placing firm boards underneath provides a stable surface for pushing up. You can purchase specialized boards or use plywood placed under the cushions.
3. Pneumatic seat assist: This device utilizes pneumatic pumps to aid in pushing you up from any chair. It’s best used on a firm chair with armrests for added stability. Due to its weight, it’s not intended for frequent movement between chairs; select your primary chair for its placement.
4. Firm cushion: This cushion adds approximately 4″ to the seat height of any chair, making it useful when visiting restaurants or friends’ homes. It’s lightweight and portable, offering similar benefits as furniture risers but with improved portability.
5. Handles for couch: Installing handles beneath couch cushions provides leverage and effective arm use for easier standing. This is particularly helpful for soft, low-seated couches.
6. Lift chair: Although more costly, a lift chair is valuable for individuals with significant difficulty with standing up from a chair. Battery-powered, it raises the chair to the desired height at the push of a button. Use it sparingly, raising only as high as necessary to encourage self-reliance.
7. Lazy Susan devices: Less common but helpful for certain individuals who find it easier to pull up on a bar rather than push up from armrests. This device assists in transitioning between chairs, especially when lifting legs to take turning steps is challenging. These devices require assistance from another person.
8. Sit-to-Stand Device: When a person begins to need a lot of assist to stand up from a chair but still has some leg and arm use, a mechanical sit to stand device can be used. Sometimes your insurance will cover this device but you will need a referral from your doctor. This device is for people who are able to straighten their legs, have some leg and arm use but still not enough to take any turning steps when standing.
9. Mechanical Lift: Finally we get to the mechanical lift. This is the final option where partial standing is not safe and a person needs to lifted by a sling from one chair/bed to another. This device is nearly always covered at least partially by insurance with a doctor’s referral. With this device, the person does not participate in the transfer as the helper sets up the sling and handles all controls.
I hope this information helps you determine the most suitable device for your needs. If you’re uncertain, consult your doctor for a Physical Therapy evaluation to receive personalized recommendations. Thank you for reading. Stay strong and keep moving!
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