Chair lift recommendations?

Thank you to all of you with your super helpful replies! I ended up buying one of those recliners with the remote that can raise him up. He loves it and it made him so happy! I am in California and ordered it from Living Spaces...they brought it out that night! It was amazing and just what we needed. Thank you again!

MajorKira, do you mean a chair-lift recliner? Or the chair lifts for stairways? Sorry, I didn't understand what you meant by "stand alone units".

We had a lift-chair for my husband. We also had a “sit to stand” lift when he could still sort-of stand. If your dad is still fairly steady on his feet, is able to stand and can navigate to the wheelchair to sit back down, the lift chairs are as comfortable as a recliner. One caveat, though, I’d get a leather one. Hubby is incontinent and even with the leather one, the upholstery wore out fast. The urine burned out the motor and we had to toss the chair.

The sit-to-stand lift was a nightmare. Now, hubby is around 350 lbs. We had a hydraulic one which means I had to pump it up which was akin to lifting him myself. The wheels would stop when they hit anything, even a piece of paper on the floor. The lift always went in a different direction than what we wanted it to which meant it had to be backed up. I’m. not sure how it would be with a lighter person, but I never should have tried to maneuver it on my own. Hubby would panic and hyperventilate. Bad scene!

Now, we have a Joerns Hoyer portable lift. It has some of the same faults as the Sit to Stand as it is still hard to maneuver. But I think that’s hubby’s weight. He sits in the sling, I have to pump this one up too. Advantages are that it’s foldable and at some point I may be able to get him in the car.

Look for used ones of any of the 3 I’ve mentioned. Those can be had for a fraction of the cost. (Medicare didn’t cover any of them for us ) Craigslist and also local Marketplace sites can also be a source.

We used a recliner that had a remote attached which would move the chair in such a way to assist dad in standing. I put a pad in the chair that I purchased at a medical supply store, and then just washed and changed the pad as needed. Dad was a big guy and had always had a recliner, so it was perfect for him. I have to add, though, that the move into or out of the wheelchair required assistance, and eventually even standing from the recliner.

The recliners are popular however try not to get the one that's faux leather. Whatever color the chair is will start flaking off. It's like the color is painted on. Try to get the fabric chair if you go with a recliner.

Majorkira, I am also seeking a sit-to-stand lift. My husband has the lift chair recliner and is in a wheelchair. He can no longer transfer and must have help. This is getting beyond me -- he is 6'5" and 250 lbs. I am not small and in good shape but can't do this. He can hardly stand (sort of stand) for more than a few seconds. Use a gait belt, walker, wheelchair, turn disc, slide board. What more?
I have done the research and found a couple types but don't know what to do. They re very expensive and a particular one might not sute him (he's very picky and gets easily agitated and scarred he will fall). I am looking into renting if I can find something. Sent a note to doctor for recommendations.
Am looking at manual models, and feel must have some sort of seat. But maybe that's not the way to go as his condition is getting worse. The slings seem daunting but maybe are not.
I would also welcome any advice you-all can give.

Thank you
Sandy

Your husband and mine are very much alike. Hubby actually did fall in a sling, at the rehab of all places. But he’s always been afraid of these lift things and will become so tense it’s impossible to move him. Problem is, there is no other way to move him. I can say that the more you use it, the more comfortable you get with it. Absolutely rent. Don’t buy. And get the electric powered one if you can. Talk to his doctor about choices and what’s best for hubby.