Choosing the Right Riser Recliner Chair: Comfort, Support and Independence at Home

A good armchair should be somewhere you can genuinely relax. But as we get older, recover from surgery or begin to experience changes in mobility, the chair we have always found comfortable may no longer be quite right.

Perhaps getting up takes a couple of attempts. Maybe you find yourself pushing heavily through the arms of the chair, or you avoid putting your feet up because getting back up afterwards is difficult.

This is where a riser recliner chair can make a real difference.

At Fen Mobility Centre, we spend a lot of time helping people choose riser recliners. One thing we always try to explain is that choosing the right chair isn't simply about finding the softest one in the showroom.

The right chair needs to fit you.

What Does a Riser Recliner Actually Do?

At first glance, a riser recliner looks much like a normal comfortable armchair.

The difference is what's underneath.

Electric motors allow the chair to recline into different positions and, importantly, gently raise the seat forwards and upwards when you want to stand. Instead of having to haul yourself out of a low chair, the chair brings you into a much easier position from which to stand.

The same works in reverse. When sitting down, you can position yourself against the raised chair and allow it to gently lower you into a seated position.

For someone who struggles with their knees, hips, strength or balance, that relatively simple function can make a considerable difference to everyday independence.

It's Not Just About Getting Up

The rising function tends to get all the attention, but a good riser recliner is also about how you sit for the other 99% of the time.

Many people spend several hours each day in their favourite chair. That makes positioning, support and comfort incredibly important.

Depending on the chair, you may be able to independently adjust the backrest and leg rest, support your head and neck, change the lumbar support or find a comfortable position with your feet elevated.

Some models even offer heat and massage.

You can see our current range of riser recliner chairs, from straightforward and affordable models through to highly adjustable luxury chairs.

One Size Definitely Doesn't Fit All

This is probably the most important part of choosing a riser recliner.

We regularly meet people who have bought a chair because it felt comfortable for five minutes in a shop, or because it was advertised online at a good price.

Unfortunately, a chair can be wonderfully made and still be completely wrong for the person sitting in it.

Seat height matters.

If the chair is too high, your feet may not sit properly on the floor. Too low and standing can become more difficult.

Seat depth matters.

A seat that is too deep can leave someone sitting forwards rather than being properly supported by the backrest.

Seat width matters.

Too narrow is uncomfortable, but excessively wide isn't necessarily better either. Good seating should provide appropriate support rather than simply surrounding you with lots of space.

The height and shape of the back, position of the arms, cushioning and leg support all matter too.

This is one of the reasons we encourage people to actually come and sit in different chairs rather than choosing one from a photograph.

Single, Dual, Triple or Quad Motor?

This sounds much more complicated than it really is.

A single motor chair provides relatively simple movement, with different parts of the chair moving together. They're straightforward to operate and can be a good choice when someone simply wants assistance standing and a comfortable reclined position.

A dual motor gives you more independent control, typically allowing the backrest and leg rest to be adjusted separately.

Move into triple and quad motor chairs and considerably more adjustment becomes possible. Depending on the model, this can include powered headrests and lumbar support as well as independent control over different parts of the chair.

More motors don't automatically mean a chair is better for you.

For some people, a simple handset with just a few buttons is exactly what's needed. For somebody spending much of the day in their chair, greater adjustment can be extremely valuable.

The important question isn't "How many motors can I get?"

It's "What do I need the chair to do?"

Think About How the Chair Will Really Be Used

When we're helping somebody choose a chair, we're interested in much more than their height.

• How easily can you currently stand?

• Do you experience pain when moving?

• How long do you normally spend sitting?

• Do your legs swell during the day?

• Do you like to sit upright to read or watch television?

• Do you regularly fall asleep in the chair?

• Can you comfortably operate a handset?

• Is your mobility likely to change?

These are the sorts of questions that help determine which features are genuinely useful.

There's little point paying for functions you'll never use. Equally, saving a few hundred pounds on a chair that doesn't provide the support you need can prove a false economy when you're going to sit in it every day for years.

From Simple and Affordable to Made-to-Measure

There isn't one type of riser recliner that's right for everyone, which is why we offer a genuinely wide choice.

Our range starts from just £649 for a comfortable, stylish riser recliner with straightforward controls and all the essential functions. For many people, that's exactly what they need.

At the other end of the range, we can supply British-made, made-to-measure riser recliners, individually configured around the person who will be using them. Seat height, width and depth can be tailored, with different back styles, pressure-relieving options, motor configurations, fabrics and additional support available depending on individual needs.

And there is plenty in between.

You don't need to spend thousands of pounds to get a good chair, but if you have more complex postural or mobility requirements, being able to specify a chair around you can make an enormous difference.

Practical Doesn't Mean Clinical

Whichever end of the range you choose, a riser recliner doesn't have to look like a piece of mobility equipment.

Modern chairs are available in a huge choice of fabrics, colours and styles, from traditional armchairs to contemporary designs and beautiful leather options. Many visitors to our showroom are surprised by just how stylish they are.

At Fen Mobility Centre, we deliberately choose chairs that we'd be happy to have in our own homes.

So whether you're looking for a simple £649 riser recliner, a luxurious chair with multiple powered adjustments, or a British-made chair built specifically to your measurements, the aim is the same: a chair that fits you, works for you and looks at home in your living room.

Needing a little help standing certainly doesn't mean your living room has to look clinical.

Don't Forget the Room

We also need to think about where the chair is going.

A reclining chair needs space to move. Some models require more clearance behind them than others, while the footrest obviously needs sufficient room in front.

Think about power sockets, rugs, cables and other furniture too.

And there's one particularly unglamorous question that is very important:

Can we actually get it into the house?

Doorways, narrow hallways, stairs and awkward corners are worth considering before the delivery van arrives.

Try Before You Buy

This is something we feel very strongly about.

If at all possible, sit in the chair before you buy it.

Better still, try several.

Operate the handset yourself. Put your feet up. Recline it. Bring yourself upright. Use the rise function and see how it feels when you stand.

Don't rush.

A chair might be something you use for several hours every single day, so spending a little time choosing it properly is worthwhile.

At our Ely showroom we have a wide selection of riser recliners available to try, including different sizes, motor configurations, fabrics and levels of support.

Advice From an Occupational Therapist

Fen Mobility Centre is led by our Occupational Therapist, Sara Cunnington, who has more than 17 years of experience.

That influences the way we approach mobility equipment.

We aren't simply interested in whether a chair looks nice or has the longest list of features.

We want to understand the person who is going to use it and make sure the equipment is appropriate for their needs.

Sometimes the most expensive chair isn't the right chair.

And sometimes what somebody initially thinks they need changes completely once they've tried a few different options.

That's absolutely fine.

Our job is to help you work it out.

Do a Little Research Before You Visit

If you're only just starting to look at riser recliners, we've created a whole Fen Mobility

Advice Centre containing practical information about mobility, independence and choosing the right equipment.

You can visit the Fen Mobility Advice Centre for more helpful guides, including our

Complete Guide to Choosing a Riser Recliner.

Then, when you're ready to start looking at actual chairs, you can browse our riser recliner range online.

Come and Have a Sit Down

Sometimes the best way to choose a chair really is that simple.

Come to Fen Mobility Centre in Ely, make yourself comfortable and try a few.

There is no pressure to make a decision there and then. Take your time, ask questions and let us help you understand the differences.

A good riser recliner isn't just a chair that helps you stand up.

Chosen properly, it's somewhere comfortable to relax, somewhere supportive to spend your day and a simple piece of equipment that can help you remain independent in your own

home.

And that's why getting the right one matters.