I’m preparing for a total knee replacement, and I remembered how much my dad used his recliner during his recovery. Granted, he probably used his recliner a lot before that, but I’m going to need a way to elevate my leg and still do other things. I have a great Sleep Number bed upstairs, but I don’t plan to move it downstairs, and I don’t plan on using the stairs for the first few weeks after I come home from the surgery. That means I was planning to set up a hard metal cot in the dining room. That cot isn’t too bad for sleeping, but I know I don’t want to spend all night in it and then have that as my only refuge during the day. I don’t want two large pieces of furniture clogging the room, either. I believe a recliner might be a better solution. Since I don’t have a recliner, I can set my criteria to attempt to incorporate both capabilities. Yes, they make a sleeper recliner that lays flat. These were easier to find in the lift chair configuration, and, given I will still have a right knee needing replacement for some time, and I’ve had trouble getting into and out of chairs lately, the lift chair configuration looks desirable.

Here’s what I’m looking for: lift chair, sleeper, ability to elevate the leg while sitting, ability to put my “toes above my nose,” and ability to independently control the footrest and the chair back (known as infinite position).

Several manufacturers make lift chairs. I’m focusing my attention on three manufacturers: Med-Lift, Comfort Lift, and Golden Tech. For the three models I’m evaluating, price is within $200 ($1200 – $1400 seems to be the range). Warranties are comparable, but Med-Lift may have a slight edge on the others. Dimensions seem nearly identical; however, the Golden model I’m looking at is two inches wider in the seat width between arms. The thing that’s drawing me in for the Golden chair is the remote. Golden’s MaxiComfort series has a remote pre-programmed for TV mode, Total Comfort (sit up with legs extended), zero gravity, Trendelenberg (toes above nose), and a custom programmed button for whatever other position I might want. All the other chairs I’m looking at can be put in all those positions, but this chair has them preset. No playing to get just the right spot. And this chair (Model PR-505L) seems to come in at the lower price point. The drawback? My local furniture store does not carry this brand or the Comfort Lift brand.

In the Med-Lift line, I’m looking at Model 5555. This is their full sleeper, and it will do all the desired positions with the possible exception of Trendelenberg (toes above nose). If it doesn’t do that position, I can achieve that with a stack of pillows, so it isn’t a show stopper for purchasing. My local furniture store can order this for me. The owner even called and checked pricing and availability while I was in the store. Her price was competitive with what I’d been seeing on-line.

A brand I thought I discovered when I stopped at my local furniture store to see if they would be able to help me was called Comfort. The model on display didn’t do what I wanted, but when I came home and searched, I found a model that does meet my needs on their website. Only it wasn’t their website, it was a different company, that my local furniture store does not carry. I discovered in my wanderings that stores seem to carry the low to low-mid level of lift chair product lines and will be happy to order specifics. I’m not surprised. Appliance stores do the same thing. I suspect they know what their primary customer base needs. The model I want is the Comfort Model 775 Infinite Sleeper.

I found the Medium size version of the Golden Maxicomfort chair at a medical supply place in Temple.  I’m going to look at it and try it on for size on Wednesday. For my height, I could go with either the M or the L model, but I suspect I’d be more comfortable in the L model. At least I’ll be able to try it and see. If I need the L, they can order it for me.