Help and advice

The fit and comfort of a chair is a personal thing. Read our advice on essential measurements for a new chair. However, it is just as important to try a chair before purchase to check it feels comfortable and is functional for the activities you want to carry out in it.

Assist UK is the national network for advice on independent living equipment and has a network of Disabled Living Centres. You could contact Assist UK.

You may be eligible for an assessment and equipment from your local authority. If you are eligible the equipment will be provided on a long-term loan basis. Alternatively, you may be eligible for a direct payment from your local authority to purchase something suitable. View more information on equipment provision via your local authority and the direct payments scheme.

See more information on riser and recliner chairs.

A lot of the chairs have lift off backs to help in transportation and delivery but it is a good idea to have them set up in the position you plan to use them for example opposite to the TV if you intend to use it for this purpose and you will need a power point nearby. Many of these chairs have battery back up in case of power cuts.

Many of the products listed are CE marked as a 'medical device' which means they should be used only in accordance with the manufacturer's intended purpose. The manufacturer's of these chairs intend them to be used for sitting, they are not sold as sleeping systems. Consequently it is not advisable for these riser recliners to be used for sleeping unless a decision is made as part of a risk assessment by an Occupational therapist or a Physiotherapist. There are chair beds available which are designed for sitting and sleeping.

Some of the motors or actuators can be linked to environmental controls which give you an option to manage a chair with an alternative type of switch or control if you are unable to use the standard controls on the riser recliners.

For further information you may wish to read our:
- Choosing a chair and chair accessories fact sheet or our ...
- Choosing pressure relief equipment factsheet or our...
- Choosing equipment for the heavier person factsheet

Ricability have a useful guide about choosing a riser recliner chair. They are an independent consumer research charity providing free, practical and unbiased reports for older and disabled people.

View references and sources of further information ‣