If you have been looking for a lift massage chair for seniors I have been researching the best one for my needs. During this research I compared the top brands as well as budget models.
Each chair has its merits but I chose the Esright because of the features and price point. Many of the lift chairs available don’t also have a massage feature or a heating feature.
These pieces of furniture are relatively expensive but are on the whole cheaper than a dedicated massage chair. There is some compromises because of this.
However, weighing up the need to assist a senior to stand from a comfortable armchair, with added massage features means these chairs are hybrids. They are therefore not full body massage chairs in the same way a chair such as the Real Relax Full body zero gravity chair.
Most of the lift chairs are very similar in both price and features so you should do your own research to find one which meets your requirements.
Following are my top picks of lift massage chair.
These are the Top 3 Lift Chairs for 2020
Mcombo Electric Power Lift Recliner Chair Sofa with Massage and Heat (check price on Amazon) These are one of the most popular lift massage chairs on the market. They are at the top of the $500 budget but well worth a look at this price point. The more expensive full body massage chairs are not really worth the price but these chairs are worth the price.
Esright Power Lift Chair Electric Recliner for Elderly Heated Vibration Massage (check out on Amazon) This chair has many great features and is designed when space is limited.
CANMOV Power Lift Recliner Chair with Heat & Massage (check it out on Amazon) This is one of the best lift massage chairs on the market but it isn’t the cheapest… that being said it is a high quality piece of furniture.
Homall Electric Power Lift Recliner Chair Massage Sofa (check out on Amazon) This is a budget model but has good features though it is quite narrow and small. Worth a look if you don’t want to spend a fortune.
Why I Picked the Esright Massage Recliner
The Esright is not the most expensive lift massage chair you could choose but for the price it has the features I was looking for.
It doesn’t take up too much space, it’s called a ‘wall hugging chair’ which means it can recline when only 10″ from the wall. This is vital if you don’t have a large room, which is often the case in a nursing or care home room.
The Esright is also a robust chair and metal frame able to cope with weight limits up to 330 lbs.
Safety of the Esright
For added safety, there is a timer which will switch the massage feature off after a pre-determined time. You don’t want your elderly relative who may also have some memory issues left in a massage chair for more then 15- 20 minutes!
Sitting in the chair for long periods will not be an issue as long as the elderly person is able to move around and shift their weight independently. If they do not have this ability you can find special cushions which will reduce the chances of pressure sores.
The massage feature on this chair is focussed on the legs, lumbar region and the back. It isn’t an intense deep tissue massage you would get from a full body massage chair but is more for relaxation.
5 Modes of Massage
The five modes of massage can easily be programmed in for ease of use. I would suggest if the elderly person using the chair does have cognitive issues the massage feature should only be used under supervision.
The heating feature will help to promote blood flow throughout the body and will enhance the relaxation effects.
The pockets on the side of the chair are great to keep the tv remote etc
The PU leather can be easily washed and sanitised if someone has incontinence issues.
Features to look for in a quality Lift Massage Chair:
- How many positions
- How easy are the controls to use
- Fabric of the chair
- How safe is the chair for someone with mobility issues
- Is there a safety cut-off
- How large is the chair – for your room
- What size is the person the chair is for
- Massage functions
- Heat function
Here is a short video of the Canmov which shows there is some installation required as it needs to be put together once it’s in your home.
About Lift Massage Recliners
Lift chairs and upgraded lift massage chairs have been around for years. They help elderly people remain independent for longer as the lift feature will help them to get up out of the chair.
I have seen many elderly people who use a lift chair as their main place to sleep. This can prove difficult for a number of reasons including pressure area care.
However, if you are looking for a quality lift massage chair for an elderly relative and are aware of the possible problems, they can be extremely useful.
Many lift chairs need to be assembled once they are delivered to your home so you should have someone who is reasonably comfortable doing this to install it in your home or your relatives home.
Speaking from experience, losing the remote control is a major headache so if you can find a way to avoid this you will make life much easier!
They are not a perfect solution for someone with mobility issues but they can be very comfortable, relaxing and good for extending independence for as long as possible.
Sources:
NCBI – Preserving mobility in older adults.
Karger Journal – Review of Effects of Physical Activity on Strength, Balance, Mobility and ADL Performance in Elderly Subjects with Dementia
Gerontological Nursing Journal – Relieving the Anxiety and Fear In Dementia