A Lift Chair Buyer’s Guide

If you are wondering whether a power lift chair would be helpful to your aging loved one, then you’ve come to the right place! Liberty Oxygen and Medical Equipment is the premier retailer in the Minneapolis and St. Paul metro area for oxygen supplies as well as medical equipment, including lift chairs. We take pride in ensuring our customers purchase a lift chair that fits his or her needs. And, during the month of May, we are offering $150 off the purchase of any Golden Technologies lift chair! Have you noticed that you or a loved one is having difficulty getting up and down from a chair or couch? This could be a sign of mobility issues and incorporating the use of a power lift chair into a daily routine will offer a more independent living lifestyle and reduce the risk of falling. The basic function of a lift chair is to assist a person to standing and sitting position with ease. Watch this short video of our Retail Sales Manager, Kristin Porrez, demonstrate the ease of using and lift chair in conjunction with a walker. When purchasing a power lift chair there are many things to consider. You may ask yourself “Why purchase a lift chair from Liberty Oxygen instead of a furniture store?” The answer is simple really. The lift chairs sold in furniture stores start out as a recliner and a motor is added to the chair after the fact. A lift chair sold in a medical supply company, such as Liberty Oxygen and Medical Equipment, is focused on the motor. The motor comes first and the chair is built around it making it more durable. It’s also important for lift chairs to have a battery back-up capability so that if the electricity goes out the user will not be stuck in their chair. Two 9-volt batteries are easily accessible in the back of the chair. Overall, a medical lift chair will last longer than a furniture-brand lift chair. At Liberty Oxygen, we take into consideration the user’s size as the chair needs to fit a person’s height, weight, and shape. Next, we ask how the chair will be used. Although lift chairs are not made to be used as beds, many people find it necessary to sleep in their chair for long periods of time. In this case, a dual motor chair is deal because it allows the person to recline in an infinite number of positions including zero gravity. We ask what physical conditions the user has, for example:

• A person with some dementia issues will need a simple controller with fewer buttons.
• A person with cardiac issues will benefit from a chair that will move into the Trendelenberg position, allowing the feet to rise above the heart.
• A person prone to incontinence will need a chair made of a non-absorbent material.

Here Kristin explains why you should purchase a power lift chair from a medical equipment store vs a furniture store and demonstrates how to use the chair, including different features. A concern our customers often have is whether their insurance will pay for the entire lift chair. Sadly, insurance companies will not pay for the entire cost of a lift chair. If a customer qualifies for insurance coverage, the most that will be covered is the lift mechanism, which is around $360. There are specific requirements and the customer must meet certain criteria in order to qualify for insurance coverage. Listen to Kristen explain this further: As you can see, there is a lot to consider when purchasing a power lift chair. It can be overwhelming when researching your options, so don’t hesitate to ask questions. At Liberty Oxygen and Medical Equipment, we understand the importance of making an equipment purchase and work with our customers to ensure we are fitting the person with the right chair so the needs of the patient are fully met. Any of the Customer Care Specialists at Liberty Oxygen will be able to assist you, including helping you with questions on insurance coverage. Stop in any of our eight metro area retail locations to view the wide selection of colors, fabrics, sizes, and styles. Don’t miss the great savings during the month of May of $150 off the purchase of any Golden Technologies lift chair – it would be a perfect Mother’s Day gift. Contact us today!