Living Made Easy – Alexander Universal Chair Raisers

Important dimensions and features

Seat height
The height of the seat can determine how easy it is to get in and out of the chair.

• A high seat will make it easier to stand up and sit down, particularly if you find it difficult to push up using your arms or if you have any pain or weakness in your legs.
• However, if the seat is too high, your feet will not touch the floor and it may feel uncomfortable under your thighs. A seat that is too low will be more difficult to get out of and will direct pressure towards the pelvis rather than distributing it evenly along the thighs.
• The correct seat height can be calculated by measuring the distance from the floor to the crease at the back of your knees. When seated, your hips and knees should be at approximate right angles whilst your feet are flat on the floor.

To measure the height of the seat of your current chair, make sure you do this when you are sitting in it, taking into account the amount that the cushion or seat compresses. The seat height of a well-used older chair with softer cushions is likely to be significantly lower.

Most high seat chair manufacturers have a range of chairs with a seat height between 46-59cm (18-24in). Some will make other heights to order. If you need a very high seat to make standing easier, but need support for the feet when seated, try using a footstool, but make sure you can push it out of the way easily before standing up.

If you struggle to get on/off a chair, you may also be experiencing difficulty transferring to/from a toilet. You may benefit from a grab rail on the wall by the toilet, a raised toilet seat or a seat and frame over the toilet.

Seat width
The seat should be wide enough to allow you to sit comfortably whilst reading, writing or knitting, but narrow enough to enable you to make use of the armrests. Ideally, it should be the width of the widest part of your bottom/hips plus approximately 5cm (2in) on either side.

Seat depth (front to back)
The seat needs to be deep enough to support the full length of the thighs. If the seat is too deep, you will have to lean back to provide support for your shoulders. This may cause you to slump in the chair and the cushion may rub behind your knees. A deep seat may also cause your bottom to slide forwards in the chair. If it is too shallow, your thighs will not be supported properly and after a while you may be uncomfortable.

To calculate the correct depth, ensure you are sat with your bottom at the back of the chair, with your lower back supported by the back of the chair. Use a firm cushion to support your lower back if you need to. Measure the distance from the chair back, or the cushion, along the thighs to approximately 3cm (1.5in) behind the back of your knees. You may need to allow more space if your calf muscle is particularly curved.

Backrest height and shape
Your back and head should be supported, especially if the backrest is going to tilt backwards. When sitting, measure from the seat to the top of your ears to give you an idea of minimum height required.

Comfort is often determined by the shape of the backrest. It should be gently curved to match the natural curves of the spine and provide good support, particularly around the small of the back and the head.

Many older people have a rounded back and shoulders which make it difficult to get the correct support unless special cushions are used. People with a marked curvature of the spine may find a softer, canvas or angled backrest more comfortable.

Backrest angle
The backrest should be angled slightly backwards. If it is too upright, it can be tiring as you will constantly be trying not to lean forwards. However, if it slopes too far back it may force you to slide forwards on the seat.

Headrests
Adjustable headrests can be positioned where the support is most needed. They should be easy to adjust and be secure when fixed. Some wrap around the back of the chair and the height can be adjusted. Others are on bands which lie over the top of the chair back and are fixed behind.

Headrest wings
These do not have any real functional purpose so it is down to personal preference whether you choose a chair with wings. They may help to support your head if you have a tendency to fall asleep in your chair. Whenever possible it is better to lie down on your bed to have a proper sleep rather than to catnap. Even if the wings can provide some support for your neck, leaning your head to one side puts a great strain on the muscles and ligaments in your neck and this can lead to pain and stiffness. As the wings can block your sideways visibility you may have to lean forwards to see round them, although they may offer some protection from draughts.

The armrests
These should provide side support and help you to stand up and be wide enough to support your forearms when relaxing. Padded armrests provide more comfort. When seated in the chair your forearms should rest comfortably along the armrest without hunching your shoulders or leaning to one side.

To help you stand up, the ends should be easy to grip and level with the front edge of the seat. Those made of bare wood with rounded ends are ideal. Armrests that have padded or have scrolled ends may be more difficult to grip and those with square fronts may be painful to push down on.

The armrests should be at least the same length as the seat. If they project further forwards to give more support when standing, the front legs of the chair should be splayed.

Drop-down or removable armrests can help you get in and out of the chair from the side, e.g. from a wheelchair. Filled in armrests may be warmer and exclude draughts and small objects such as TV remote controls are less likely to fall onto the floor. Smokers should be aware that lighted cigarettes, if dropped, will get trapped and be a potential fire hazard.