Mobility Info - UK
Chair Raisers
There are various solutions available to people who are experiencing difficulty in sitting down or getting up from a chair – whether due to arthritis, muscle weakness or balance problems, for example. Rise and recline chairs, high seat chairs and chair raiser cushions are three options, but by far the most cost effective solution is to install chair raisers.
One of the main advantages of chair raisers is that there is no need to replace existing furniture. For this reason they are also ideal as a temporary measure, such as when someone cannot sit down easily while convalescing from an injury; in this case, the chair raisers can be easily removed if and when no longer required. They are also a preferable solution to the addition of extra cushions, which, though raising the seat base, alters the relationship between the chair’s seat and armrests.
Chair raisers are attached to the legs of a chair or to its base (for chairs without legs) to raise it by a height of between 5cm and 15cm. Many types of chair raiser are adjustable to find the optimum height; they are available in a wide range of designs, styles and materials. They are typically placed under each chair leg, although some designs must be clamped or screwed on. If the chair has castors, these either sit within the chair raisers or sometimes have to be removed to accommodate them. Some models of chair raiser are suitable for sofas and/or for beds too, though obviously more than four will often be needed.
There are two main styles of chair raiser. The simplest and cheapest (from £6) consist of a set of four blocks or tubular feet that can be placed under the chair. Not all styles will fit all chairs, but many come in a choice of size or shape – such as to fit round or square chair legs or to enclose castors. They can be made from steel, wood, plastic or strong rubber; some are more discreet than others, but there is probably enough of a choice that something can be found to complement existing décor, if this is a consideration.
A chair on chair raisers can often be difficult to move, because the chair raisers are designed to be stable. One incidental advantage of chair raisers is that it might be possible to vacuum under the chair without moving it, as might have been the case before, thanks to the extra height. If the chair has to be moved, make sure that the chair raisers are in the correct position afterwards, especially if they are of the kind that are not physically attached by clamps or screws.
This is less of a problem with the second main type of chair raiser that consists of interconnected feet or blocks. An adjustable frame, usually in an X shape, links the components that attach to the chair legs, making the whole apparatus more stable than the individual chair raisers. Again, some of these chair raisers are screwed to the furniture while with others the chair just rests securely on top of them. Though they are slightly more expensive than the individual kind (£15+), they still work out much cheaper than a whole new chair. Their relatively low price also means that several items of furniture in a household can be raised without too much outlay.
For alternatives to chair raisers, including rise and recline chairs, see the accompanying article.
