Article - Rising To The Occasion

Ideas for Sitting and Standing

For some people, simply rising from a chair can be quite challenging. A 1997 study by the U.S. Census Bureau indicated that 3.0% of the overall population and 9.6% of people over 65 have difficulty getting in and out of bed or a chair. These statistics can be due to a variety of neuromuscular diseases, to a temporary condition like a pulled muscle or due to the results of an accident.

If you have difficulty standing or sitting, we recommend that you first seek the guidance of a physician or physical therapist. For some situations, a prescription drug or an over-the-counter medication can help ease the pain. Sometimes exercising the painful or weak muscle is really the best medicine. The Arthritis Foundation has numerous tips to maintain agility, including daily exercise and staying close to your recommended weight.

If you still could use an assist to get up from a seated position, there are many tools, or Daily Living Aids, that provide support, helping you to maintain your independence.

Things that lift:

Sometimes people need a little lift from their favorite chair, recliner or at the dinner table. Lifting devices range from electric Lift Chair Recliners to Portable Lifting Cushions.

• Electric Lift Chair Recliner - A comfortable recliner that does all the work for you. With just a push of a button the chair brings you to almost standing or lowers you to a comfortable reclining position.

• Lifting Cushion - This cushion works on any chair to help you rise to a nearly standing position. The assisting cushion holds approximately 80% of your weight, while the power cushion holds 100% of your weight as you rise.

Something to hold on to:

We recommend that you switch from that favorite squishy sofa to a firm armchair. A chair with arms is frequently not as low as a sofa and will provide better seating support and more resistance to help you as you rise.

You might consider using or installing other aids that provide a firm holding point to pull on or to push against. It is helpful to have this kind of assistance available in the bedroom, bathroom and living room.

• CouchCane - This support fits under your favorite seat or couch and provides the extra leverage and balance you need to get in and out with ease.

• SuperPole floor-to-ceiling support pole - This tension pole is secured between the floor and ceiling and provides a full range of heights to hold onto while sitting or standing up. It can be installed anywhere there is a floor and ceiling, including the middle of a room, to provide support exactly where it is needed. By holding onto the pole at a comfortable level, you can use your arms for balance and support as you seat yourself your couch, on the toilet or get into or out of the tub.

• Smartrail - A unique bed assist rail that locks in place at bedside to help you sit up in bed. A simple lift is all it takes to unlock and swing the rail out for a more effective position to help you stand up and get out of bed.

• Assist-a-Tray - This support and tray combination holds things you need while you are sitting and then provides support and balance when you are ready to get up.

For getting out and about:

Getting into and out of the car can be particularly difficult when you have trouble sitting or standing. The following aids are great for providing just that little bit of assistance:

• CarCaddie - This portable handle loops around your car door frame, providing a means of support and balance. It is also very helpful for pulling the door closed after you are seated.

• Swivel Seat Cushion - The "lazy susan" style cushion helps you swing your legs into or out of the car without twisting and straining.

• The Handybar™ is a super strong personal support handle that hooks into a metal loop on your car's door frame. You push down on the Handybar™ to help support your weight as you stand up.

Many people tire easily when walking. If you need to get around by foot, but get tired quickly, you may want to consider the Metro Walker. This is a lightweight walker with wheels and glides that is easy to take with you wherever you go. It folds up small and is very light, making it perfect for traveling. It is also much more fashionable that the standard aluminum walker.

Daily Living Aids that help with sitting and standing are much more common than they used to be. They are lighter, more attractive and more available than earlier products. Years ago, only those who were recently released from the hospital had knowledge about these tools. Hospital caseworkers recommended them to help get people back to their daily routines. Since then the word has spread and many people have discovered that these products truly help to maintain independence.

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