General Chat

Was absolutely horrified to find that a similar suite to the one we are wanting to replace now costs double the price and we have only had it about eleven years.

Brenda, those are the cushions I meant.

O.h. has a recliner chair that matches his suite, but it's always been 'his' chair, it's a manual one tho and very hard to push yourself back hard enough to make the footrest come out and up sometimes.

I love the Stranded Turtle title lol What also came to mind was the ad for Cinzano? with Leonard Rossiter and Lorraine Chase? where the airline seat goes back and spills the drink everywhere lol

Lizx

Some great replies here, so many thanks for all your comments.

The 'stranded turtle' or 'flying slipper' situations have been noted !

OH has sent for some brochures to be delivered here, so we will take a look at what is available, then he plans to go to stay with his parents and take them out to view a few possibilities.

Thanks for your help.

Gwyn

alternatively you can buy booster cushions.We have an electric recliner massage chair that my OH vitually lives in,but with his problems he still needs this higher,so ,just before Christmas I bought 2 booster cushions from a shop on e bay for around £20.These are perfect and quite large and sit on top of the seat.Available in different colours.They are comfortable.....Just a thought!

It might be worth googling for shops under 'mobility aides'. Depending on where they/you live there may be some independents in your area who will give personal service. The one we went to (Margate) had different styles, sizes/heights and complexity of controls.

Liz's comment regarding power failure rings a bell. I used to have visions of my father being stranded in his, like a turtle on its back! At least with a sofa with reclining seats, there is the possiblity of rolling on to the next seat and getting up that way.

Thanks Liz for that info - that is more ammunition for me! OH has been on for about 30 years of wanting a recliner and now stipulates he would like a powered one. As someone who has been known to fall asleep whilst sitting on a hard canteen chair - he is the last one who needs one! Which is why I keep saying 'over my dead body' - mutterings heard of 'can be arranged'!!!!!

Hi Gwyn, if their suite is still comfy, you could get the cushions restuffed (about £20 each for new 'foam' type inserts) I am having that done to o.h.'s 13 yr old suite. The company he bought the suite from don't do it now but told me where to get it done, a local upholsterer. Or you can buy extra cushions from those companies who put the brochures in tv mags etc Fit the cushion pad under the old one so the seat is higher, or buy risers for the legs of the chairs to fit in. There is also a heavy metal contraption that you put under an armchair and fit the chair into, castors or legs, and you can adjust it to what extra height you need.

Lizx

The electric riser chairs are lovely tho, but do advise them what to do if there is a power cut, my elderly neighbour had a problem when the power went off due to the trip switch activating, and she was stuck in her chair, she couldn't get out of it with the footrest still up and no power to do the movement.

My friend who suffers from arthritis has recently changed her suite. Instead of getting one with a 3 seater so that she can rest if needed she has bought a suite with an electric recliner chair. This allows her to sit, then slowly bring her feet up, thus allowing all over support. Some recliners - and I am not laughing- flew into position that fast that if she had been wearing slippers they would have gone through the window. She is really pleased with her chair and it is a l*zy boy.....other makes are available ....as they say on the radio.-jle

Many thanks for your advice.

In-laws are still active, but both will soon be in their 90s and finding their 'old' suite isn't so right these days. Although comfortable, the seats are a bit low for them now to be able to stand again, unaided.

I will have a look what is in their area ( another county some 2 hours from us)

Gwyn

Thanks for this thread. We are considering replacing ours too, and as I have shrunk since we bought this one am thinking that rather than having extra height added we will go for the standard HSL type. Will send for their brochure.

HSL - try them - have chairs slightly higher and do settees, recliners/tilt etc.

Need to measure height of seat on their old ones and then have something to go on. Most furniture brochures do not give this but believe HSL do. They have quite a few branches. Google them and get a brochure.

When I began to look for an easier chair to get out of, I was warned against getting anything so high that your feet weren't taking any weight, as the pressure on the underside of your thighs was bad for your circulation - that I would be better off with a tiltable seat, possibly electric. I've so far managed to find chairs I can get out of without the tilt - but I haven't forgotten this advice!

In-laws are thinking of buying new chairs, which can provide optional leg support.
Has anyone experience of good models?
Are they all standard size?

I think they are considering electric controls, but any advice would be helpful please.

Gwyn