Doing Zero-Gs in a Lift Chair
If you are a fan of the space program, then you are likely to have heard the term zero gravity. The term is often used to describe being weightless and there are several rides available that let a person experience this sensation. At this point, you might well be asking yourself, "but what does this have to do with lift chairs?" Well let me tell you.
When NASA began testing the first rocket ships for sending the first astronauts into space, they found that the traditional chairs that were commonly used in airplanes were not very ergonomic. They needed a way to decrease the pressure on the spine, allow better lung expansion, reduce muscle strain, and stress on the heart. After much development they developed the Zero-G chair.
The chair that NASA designed allows the astronaut to recline into a position that elevates their knees and legs slightly above their chest and puts the body at about a 45 degree angle. After extensive testing and development, these chairs are now available for the general public.
Using the same technology that was developed and implemented by NASA, a Zero-G lift chair allows the user to position their body in a manner that helps improve posture by allowing for proper spinal cord alignment, reduces the pressure on the back, and also expands the lung capacity of the user. These chairs also help to improve circulation, because the users legs are positioned slightly higher than the heart. This means that you will be getting blood that is rich in oxygen pumped throughout the body. This chair helps to align your body in a manner that is natural and well suited to reducing pain and stress.
Currently the only lift chair that offers this type of functionality is manufactured by Golden Technologies, which offers a wide assortment of home medical equipment and has been manufacturing lift chairs for more than two decades. The Zero-G sitting position is available in all of the chairs that make up their Maxi-Comfort Line.
In addition to allowing the user to sit in the Zero-G position, these chairs also function as a regular recliner. The footrest and the backrest can both be extended and operate independently. This means that you can lower the back, without raising the footrest. This is what makes it an infinite position lift chair and these functions are controlled electronically. Of course, since this is a lift chair, it also makes it easier and safer to stand, because the whole chair can be slowly raised. This allows the user to exit the chair in a position that is close to standing.
To operate the chair, a simple hand control is used. The control is attached directly to the chair, so it is not necessary to worry about remembering to put batteries in it or loosing it. It has six buttons that are easy to see and feel on it. The two buttons at the very bottom of the control are used to raise and lower the chair into the air. To make the chair even simpler to use, it is possible to raise or lower the backrest and footrest using only these two buttons.
The other four buttons are placed slightly higher than the buttons used to raise or lower the chair. This sets them off slightly, which makes it easier to feel them, without having to see them. The four offset buttons are used to control the backrest and footrest. As a result of the way the chair is designed, it is not necessary to use these buttons, unless you want to customize the sitting position.
Using a lift chair has been proven to reduce the chance of a fall. Since the MaxiComfort Series by Golden Technologies uses the Zero-G sitting position, they go one step further and offers a chair that helps reduce back pain, muscle stress, and increase lung capacity. So next time your grandkids come over, let them know you have experienced Zero-G's without ever leaving the living room.
Lift Chairs Differences and Features
Those people that are afflicted by neuromuscular diseases or arthritis, might not be able to stand after sitting for an extended period of time. One of the easiest and best methods of making sure that an individual is always able to independently, is through the use of a lift chair.
The reasons that a lift chair makes it easier to stand and sit, is because the base of the chair contains a strong lifting arm. This lifting arm, or lifting mechanism, is responsible for raising the chair into the air and allowing the seated individual to stand safely.
When purchasing a lift chair, like almost anything, it is possible to buy the medical device new or used. A used model is usually a little less expensive, but they are prone to failure. Many times when you purchase a used chair, you are inheriting it when the chair is on its last leg. The likelihood of having to pay to repair the device, makes it ill advised to go this route. Instead it is usually almost always preferred to go with a new model.
New chairs will provide years of service and will also be covered by an extensive warranty. Usually by shopping around a little bit, you are able to find a great deal online and almost all dealers provide complementary shipping. When compared to traditional brick and mortar stores, you can save a tremendous amount of money by ordering the chair online. The online stores have a lower overhead and so you can save a good deal of money, but if you have any questions, you can call up the online dealers.
Lift chairs are categorized by the degree in which the chair reclines. 3 position chairs and infinite position chairs can recline to a near horizontal degree. The difference between these chairs is that an infinite position chair allows the footrest to be operated separate from the backrest, while on 3 position chairs and 2 position chairs do not have this feature. Instead the footrest and backrest operate in tandem in 2 position and 3 position chairs. 2 position chairs can recline to a degree that ,makes watching TV or reading very comfortable, but they do not recline as much as a 3 position or infinite position chair. Often a 2 position chair will cost a little less than the 3 position or infinite position chairs, but they are not as comfortable to sleep in. Instead for sleeping it is usually better to opt for a 3 position of infinite position chair.
A lift chair can provide incredible comfort, while preforming the valuable services of preventing falls and increasing independence. Those that use these chairs can rest easy knowing they will always be able to stand.
Lift Chairs Restoring Independence For The Elderly
A lift chair is a wonderful resource for retaining or regaining your independence. With a lift chair, you have the ability to move from a sitting to a standing position without any help from others. Many styles of lift chairs are available, as well as different aspects of reclining positions. A lift chair can help you to regain your confidence by ensuring that you will be able to go from sitting to standing, without the fear of falling.Gaining independence is a very important feeling. Knowing that you have the ability to sit and stand alone, without the help of family and friends, is a wonderful emotion. Many elderly people, as well as those who have been injured or are disabled for a number of reasons, have found their independence again with a lift chair.
With the many styles and colors available in lift chair models, it is safe to assume that you will be able to match your lift chair to your current home furnishings. There are also styles available that will take up very little space, so if you live in a small home or apartment, there is a lift chair that will fit perfectly into small living spaces.
Making the decision to purchase a lift chair seems like an overwhelming task, however, knowing how a lift chair can help to restore your ability to do things on your own is a major decision maker for many. Knowing that you will have restored your mobility, and having more independence in your daily life is the best reason to consider purchasing a lift chair. You will have the ability to move around your home as you wish, without relying on the help of others to get you on your feet or to help you sit. Regaining your independence is a wonderful feeling, and deciding to use a lift chair is the first step.
Stand Easily With a Lift Chair
Relatively speaking, lift chairs are a new product, They were first introduced in the early 1980's and have tremendously grown in popularity since then. These chairs solved a serious problem that affects many people and made it easy and safe to stand again.
These chairs often look very similar to a regular recliner, but they offer several special features that your everyday recliner does not have. Most importantly, the chair can be raised into the air by a powerful electric lifting device. The ascent and descent are controlled by remote and the device operates slowly and steadily, with no jerky motions.
When the lifting mechanism has fully extended, the seated individual is at a level that is safe to stand from. They can also easily position themselves in the seat of the chair and lower the chair to allow them to sit in a controlled way. While this is one of the main selling points of the chair, they also have several special features that set them apart from your everyday recliner.
The nicest feature is arguably the way the chair reclines. A traditional recliner requires that the user leans back to recline the chair. As soon as the seated individual sits up or moves in a way that reduces pressure, the back of the chair rises. This can make it hard to find and keep a comfortable position.
In a lift chair, the same electric motor that raises and lowers the chairs, also controls the footrest and backrest. This allows for an individual to quickly and easily find a position and keep it. This can make napping or sleeping much easier, but they also make it easier to find a good position to watch TV or read in.
Many lift chairs utilize a 9-volt battery backup. This is used to make certain that the chair can be used in the event of a power outage, but usually the battery can only be used once, so it is a good idea to have a few extra lying around.
If you are on Medicare, you might be able to receive partial reimbursement for the cost of the chair. If you receive Part B benefits, many times the lifting mechanism will be covered, which usually costs around $300. To qualify, you must get a doctors prescription and your doctor must also fill out a Certificate of Medical Necessity.
Those who are not able to easily stand can greatly reduce the risk of a fall by using a lift chair. The chair is also used in the reverse manner to make sitting safe and controlled. Using these chairs is a great way to make certain that you will be able to independently stand without any major lift changes.
