Lift chairs can be a boon to the elderly, infirm or disabled. Along with stairlifts and scooters they can do wonders for comfort, mobility and increased independence. Lift chairs can be relatively inexpensive but as with everything, the price you are prepared to pay will affect the number and the sophistication level of the features available.

Most lift chairs will work with weights up to 375-450 pounds, although some can handle up to 700 lbs. A two position lift chair has a lift position and a slight recline position: as the user reclines in a two position lift chair, his back & thighs will stay at about 90 degrees; they do not recline for sleeping. A three position lift chair will recline to about 135 degrees, which allows most people to sleep. An infinite position lift chair allows the chair to go fully flat, and the back and the feet to move independently. It sometimes allows the Trendelenburg position, with the feet above the heart.

There are several varieties of lift chairs:

• 2-position lift chairs have 2 recline positions: straight, and "TV recline", which is leaned slightly back for reading, relaxing or watching television.
• 3-position lift chairs have 3 recline positions: straight, TV recline and "full recline".
• Infinite position lift chairs have independently operated back and leg movement for an unlimited number of recline positions from straight up to "sleep recline," which is all the way flat like a bed. Some manufacturers offer a mattress for chairs with this recline option.