If you're a caregiver for a family member, and you have difficulty getting them up from a chair, look into getting a lift chair. One of these chairs could make life easier for both you and your loved one. Here are things you should know about buying and using a lift chair.

Look Into Insurance Coverage 

Your insurance might pay for a lift chair since it's considered durable medical equipment. However, your loved one has to have a qualifying medical condition, and you need a prescription from a doctor. If you get insurance coverage, you can buy your chair through a medical equipment company and get help choosing the right size. Plus, the company will deliver the chair and show you how to use it.

If your loved one doesn't have a qualifying medical condition, you can still buy a lift chair. However, you'll need to pay for it yourself since insurance typically doesn't pay for equipment that's for the convenience of the caregiver. You can still buy the chair through a medical equipment store, but you might also find a lift chair at a number of furniture stores.

Choose A Reclining Option

Lift chairs are usually recliners too. All recliners are not the same. Some partially recline while others go all the way to the flat position so the recliner can also be used as a bed. Choosing the right recliner style is important for the comfort of your loved one, so consider if they'll be napping in the chair and need a recliner that lowers far enough to make sleeping comfortable.

Get A Good Fit

One of the most important things to know about buying a lift chair is that you need one that's the right size for your loved one. This is especially important if your loved one is much smaller than the average person or if they're very overweight.

You want them to be comfortable in the chair so their arms need to rest comfortably on the armrests. Their feet should be flat on the floor, and the seat should be wide enough that their hips aren't crowded. In addition to being more comfortable, a chair that fits them properly is safer for them to use if they get in and out of the chair themselves.

Think About The Material

If your loved one spends a lot of time in the lift chair, the material will get a lot of wear and tear. You want material that's durable and easy to clean. However, the material should be soft and comfortable too. You may want to try out different chairs yourself to find one with soft fabric that isn't scratchy and has controls that are easy to use.