Want info on a lift chair for stroke victims.
By suspenseful
@suspenseful (40193)
Canada
March 14, 2009 1:18pm CST
I want to know about the advantages of a lift chair for someone who had a severe stroke, has lost his balance, one leg shakes a lot, etc. and needs a walker for support. My husband is getting one in two weeks time (it will be paid for)and the problem is that I have a concert coming in a month;s time and I will be away for a few hours. Now I am not talking about someone who just needs a little help, but my husband has to have me put his left hand around the walker holds, and I have to hold on the bar on the walker to steady it and help to lift him up.
So I was wondering whether the lift chair would help in that. I mean we were also looking at scooters, but they are a bit expensive and we have to get a ramp first.
And I do want my husband to be able to get a snack or go to the washroom for those few hours that I am away.
1 person likes this
5 responses
@Jellen (1852)
• United States
15 Mar 09
The lift chair was one of the first things I bought after I brought my husband home from the hospital following his massive stroke. He has used it daily, and especially used it the first year or two. It's been about 5 years now and he is not as weak. Sometimes he forgets to use the lift part of the chair when he gets out of it.
If you do get a lift chair, here is a bit of advice. Be sure you find one that allows him to use the remote on his good side. It can really frustrating to have to depend on the remote on a side you are paralyzed on.
2 people like this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
16 Mar 09
We have our furniture in medium blue, had to pay extra for it though but it was worth it. 
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
15 Mar 09
We ordered it my mail. The one we want is not available locally and so we cannot go there to see it. We do have lift chairs here, but they are not that good and we want one that blends in with our furniture, not one that shouts 'lift chair."
@mummymo (23706)
•
14 Mar 09
I can not say in your husbands case suspenseful but I know the riser chairs are fantastic , I have one myself and it has made a huge difference, it brings you almost to standing and all you have to do is step off. Whether your husband will be able to move off while holding onto his frame I don't know but it will certainly be much easier for him than an ordinary chair! xxx
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
16 Mar 09
Thanks. It will be much better. It was just that I was wondering.
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
14 Mar 09
If at all possible, you should go to a store that sells them and have him try one out. Most medical supply stores carry them. He would be almost in a standing position when the chair lifted up, so in that position could he manage his walker himself? That's why you should take him to try one. Or do you have a friend with one that you could go to their house and try?
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@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
16 Mar 09
We looked at the ones in the local store, but they are not that good. I mean if you lived in a basement and did not mind the color, or were dirt poor, they would do. Anyway he ordered one on line and that gave specific measurements, etc. We do not have the car now and it is a major production for us to go anywhere. So they wold have to come to our house and bring in the chair one at a time to have him try them.
@suzzy3 (8342)
•
16 Mar 09
It seems that you are worried about him using the chair on his own.Is there someone who could sit with him or pop in every now and again,maybe if the toilet is down stairs he would not have to bother with it anyway,make him a sandwich before you go and make sure he has used the toilet he will last that way,or maybe he could use incontinence pads just this once.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
16 Mar 09
That is why we ordered the lift chair, so he can go to the bathroom on his own and I know all about those pads. His sister-in-law's brother is quite a bit older and was looking after their mother and she wore those pads and even then the house smelled. I have to wear those pads when I go out, and even with that, I still have to wash myself down there and with someone who cannot use his hands that well, it is not that nice and I sure do not want to touch that part down there.
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