Need a comfy chair for my elderly father advice needed

[V8A*ndy]

The old man is finding it very hard these days to get up of the sofa especially with his very week knee.

I know there is companies out there that specialise in these sort of things but I don't want my dad getting ripped off.

I want to buy him a real nice comfy chair that will tilt up and lift him into an upright position.

Anyone know of good sources for such a thing.

[koolchris99]

local care companies, my mum is a carer and her company supply these a fair amount

[Steffan]

I broke my back some years ago. Better (somewhat) now but still have a weakness. Difficulty getting out of chairs continues.

There are several nationwide companies offering riser/recliner chairs. Not a cheap solution but really effective. I would be lost without mine.

Try

http://www.mobilityequipment.co.uk/Rise-Recline-Ch...

http://www.highseatchairs.co.uk/

http://www.betterlifehealthcare.com/products.php?c...

You should get a specialist supplier in your area. They do offer on approval delivery and there are a number of styles. Some are less elderly looking than others. Some are actually quite elegant chairs.

You need to consider incontinence problems etc and the type of covering but the manufacturers are pretty clued up and offer good advice.

Good luck with the search

[BlackVanDyke]

There are lots and lots out there and you're right, they're an absolute godsend for helping stand up, and also for helping with comfort! The old style ones are sprung and activated with a handle, you need a bit of strength in your hand to work them but on the upside they're a fair bit lighter and obviously don't need plugging in. Most these days are electric and can come with all sorts of gadgets - crucial for being comfy if you can't move about too easily is that the chair's a good fit, especially as a lot of elderly folk get very thin as time goes on.

I know this doesn't directly answer your question but it might be a good idea to ask for your dad to have an Occupational Therapy assessment from your local authority - even if he doesn't want or need any financial help from them they'll be able to look at all the different areas he might need a hand in and make some suggestions - the prime one is whether also having some sort of rails in the loo and bath/shower would help him get up more easily or safer. If you're comfortable letting me know where your dad lives I can have a quick dig and find the contact info for the relevant team - or if not I can probably at least talk you through how you'd go about making contact. They'll be able to suggest local companies that sell the right sort of chair, might even be able to recommend a make/model, and maybe also help with measuring and things.

Good luck.

[Broomsticklady]

Good timing - I've just taken delivery of a lift and tilt by LazYBoy, Georgia range. It wasn't cheap - I got 25% off at my local independent furniture store and then no VAT cos I have health reasons (cance rin my back) which counts as disabilty.

It's made a huge difference already - with the getting up yes, but also with general comfort. I stood for a bit too long today, and had to resort to extra piankillers, and thought I wasgoing to have to use breakthrough morphine but the basic extras and a rest in a supportive chair did the trick! Result!

[BlackVanDyke]

Broomsticklady said:

Good timing - I've just taken delivery of a lift and tilt by LazYBoy, Georgia range. It wasn't cheap - I got 25% off at my local independent furniture store and then no VAT cos I have health reasons (cance rin my back) which counts as disabilty.

It's made a huge difference already - with the getting up yes, but also with general comfort. I stood for a bit too long today, and had to resort to extra piankillers, and thought I wasgoing to have to use breakthrough morphine but the basic extras and a rest in a supportive chair did the trick! Result!

Fab that you're finding it so helpful - I only got my one (Symmetrikit, red and camo ) about 6 months ago and it's been a complete revelation. I can't sit up without support so before I had the armchair my only choices were wheelchair or bed - bit pants really.

One of my main problems in terms of symptoms that bother me is pain also although obviously for very different reasons. Since 2007 I've been using an air mattress with an automatic pump/motor thing that alternates the air pressure in different bits of the mattress while I sleep, it's made an absolutely huge difference in terms of pain - I'm about due for an 'upgrade' due to condition progressing and had a chance to try out the next (more supportive) mattress while staying down in London for my sister's wedding this summer, it was incredible - first time in about a year I've been able to sleep through the night without having to be turned or take extra oramorph. The very very slight movement it provides just evens the pressure out and stops things from stiffening up as badly overnight. If you get a chance, ask your OT or macmillan nurse etc about it - often people don't get them 'til right at end of life which is daft as they can hugely improve things much much earlier, amazing how much better you feel if you can get better quality sleep.

[Broomsticklady]

BVD - you're SO right about sleep - deprivation is the cruellest thing you can have. Thanks - I knew about the air mattress moving delight - my BiL had one until his cancer got fed up tormenting him and let him go last month and it made a big difference to him.

This may sound really weird but I'm resisting too much in the way of bed changes for now. I could do with help lifting me up from lying, and have one of those OT 'pull' things under the mattress - but air mattress means going the solo bed route and we both get a lot of comfort for being with each other at night. It also helps me having someone with me as the bone pills I take have a mind of their own and insist on 6 hour fast before you take them - but they count painkillers as breaking the fast. If I have to take anything extra in the night I have to carefully time everything accordingly and my poor brain struggles with this sometimes - morphine is great - I have oxycodone instead of straight due to the different way it acts and problems with the 'original' form - but it does addle one's mind sometimes - I take more slow release at night than in the morning to try and see me thru but the counter to that is doziness - you just can't win!

Nina

[hollydog]

I used to deal with royams . They are a very good make . See your doctor if your father needs a riser chair he can authorise getting the vat off from where you buy the chair from.

[V8A*ndy]

Thanks so much for the replies.

Some great info and i've spent some time on the net tonight after reading your posts.

Think I may have found a decent supplier not far from my dad and i'm at the family Drs tomorrow so I will run it past them.

[Lost_BMW]

I invested in a good one from DFS when I moved into my current lodgings, but it wasn't cheap. They did do 0% interest deals over 4 years though?

[thepeoplespal]

You could also try one of the the charity shops which sell furniture. Seen an electric riser chair, for £50 in a recent Coventry charity shop.