Updated April 9, 2022 – No doubt that these days there are many wonderful new products available to help senior citizens age in place or to help their children modify their own homes so that their parent(s) can move in.
These assist devices are making it so much easier these days for older people and the disabled to help avoid injury.
Standing aids for seniors are assistive devices that can help elderly people with mobility problems, limited mobility or a health condition that makes it difficult for them to stand up from a seated position.
There are many different types of standing aids available, and they can be very helpful for seniors who have a hard time standing up on their own.
Some common types of standing aids include:
- Canes: Canes can be very helpful for seniors who need assistance when getting to a standing position. They can provide support and stability when walking, and they can also be used to help seniors stand up from a seated position.
- Walkers: Walkers are another type of device that can help seniors stand up. They provide support and stability when walking, and they can also be used to help seniors stand up from a seated position.
- Rolling Walkers: Rolling walkers are similar to regular walkers, but they have wheels that make them easier to move around. Rolling walkers can be very helpful for seniors who need assistance when standing up.
- Wheelchairs: Wheelchairs can be very helpful for seniors who need assistance when standing up. They can provide support and stability when walking, and they can also be used to help seniors stand up from a seated position.
But there are more that we’ll be talking about in this article.
The right mobility aid can be very helpful for seniors who have difficulty standing up on their own. As long as they have upper body strength, they can use these devices to their benefit.
If you or a loved one is having difficulty standing, talk to your doctor about getting a physical therapy assessment to recommend the best type of standing aid for your needs.
What To Look For In A Standing Aid
When shopping for a stand assist device, keep these key things in mind:
- Weight capacity: Most standing aids have weight capacities between 250 and 300 pounds. If you weigh more than this, look for a bariatric model designed for heavier users.
- Height: Some standing aids are adjustable to accommodate users of different heights. Others are one-size-fits-all.
- Ease of use: Look for a standing aid that is easy for you or your loved one to operate. Some models have hand grips, push buttons, or levers that can be used to lower the seat or raise the footrest. Others require the user to lift themselves up manually.
- Portability: Some standing aids are designed to be portable, so they can be easily moved from one room to another. Others are more stationary and meant to stay in one place.
- Features: Standing aids come with a variety of features, such as padded seats, built-in cup holders, and adjustable leg rests. Consider which features are most important to you before making a purchase.
- Price: Standing aids range in price from around $100 to $1,000 or more. Compare prices and features to find the best value for your needs.
The Best Standing Aids We Recommend Include
Lift Chair
I wrote about lift chairs and how wonderful they are for your elderly parents (or other senior loved ones) who may be having problems getting up from a seated position.
There are many different varieties and styles of lift chairs available – you can see the selection from Amazon here.
You can also choose from selections of Lift Chairs at the following stores:
But sometimes, a recliner with a lift mechanism just isn’t the right product. So, I wanted to explore other products (tools) that are very useful for helping someone who has difficulty standing up.
Now, although I have been focusing on the issue of standing up, the truth is that oftentimes if a senior is having trouble standing up from a seated position they are more than likely also having trouble sitting down as well. The reason is that they have weakened lower body strength.
These products that I’m mentioning here aid the person with both problems.
Grab Bars
Most individuals think of grab bars in a shower. And along with shower seats and tub transfer benches, grab bars can help to make bathing much safer.
But truthfully, grab bars can be placed throughout the house.
They are an excellent aid for seniors. They can be placed by the toilet, by a chair (if it’s near a wall of course), etc.
Most of us are very familiar with the standard grab bars but you may want to consider one that folds away when not in use.
Something like the Moen Flip Up Bathroom Grab Bar. Even though it’s intended for a bathroom, it can certainly be installed in other areas of the home.
What I like about this particular tool is that it extends from the wall further than a standard grab bar AND it folds away when it’s not needed. This ergonomic design makes it unique.
Another type of grab bar that’s not your “standard” is the Stander Security Pole & Curve Grab Bar which is a perfect tool for bedside, chairside, etc.
A different version of this is the Sit to Stand Easy Assist Pole from MedMart.
I would however recommend that if the space in question is small to not use the security pole simply because of the space that it takes up.
It’s important to leave enough open space surrounding the seated area to avoid your senior loved one from tripping and falling.
Chair Aids
Sometimes though your senior loved one just needs a little help getting up. In this case, a cane or a walker may be just enough to help them.
But if they don’t normally use either one, you can opt for a Portable Chair Assist.
This product can just stay by the chair or sofa or bed or wherever they may need it.
Finally, a tool made specifically for couches and sofa chairs is the Stander EZ Stand-N-Go. This fits under removable cushions. There are handles on both sides, which makes it much easier to push oneself up. It has a very low profile, meaning it doesn’t protrude out very much and it can easily be moved.
Another great standing aid tool for sofas and recliners (shown above) comes with or without a table top which can be used as a TV tray or for your laptop, books, crafts, etc. The Able Life universal stand assist will give you or your loved one the ability to maintain some level of independence.
But if you just need the standing aid without a table top you can choose a single bar aid that is very similar to the one above with the table.
Any one of these tools will help your elderly loved one. It may also be that you start off with one product but as the person in need grows older and may require more help, you may need to move on to another product that provides more assistance.
Chair Lifts
These items sit on the chair or sofa and literally lift the person up from the seated position. These mobile standing aids are simple devices that seniors can use in many different situations.
There are two portable stand assists that we can recommend…
The SitnStand Portable Smart Rising Seat
This product can be placed on most any chair, comes with a carrying bag and weights 6.6 lbs. making it fairly easy to take with you.
Another less expensive option is the Carex Upeasy Seat Assist.
It’s also very portable, no batteries required, just a simple product that may suit your needs.
Sit To Stand Lifts
Technically, the sit to stand lifts are mostly used to help transfer someone from one location to another (i.e. the sofa to a wheelchair or the bed to a toilet, etc.).
But they are not a 100% lift like Hoyer Lifts – the person being transferred does need to be able to follow commands, they must be able to sit up on their own and bear weight on at least one leg.
These lifts are compact pieces of equipment that can do the job of transferring someone easily and safely.
They are perfect for caregivers who are physically unable to safely transfer someone or if the senior loved one is a plus sized person which can make transfers very dangerous.
The Sara Stedy Sit to Stand model can help someone up to 400 pounds to stand up from a sitting position. This can be extremely helpful for caregivers who are unable to physically help someone who is very large to stand up.
Walking Stick
A walking stick can be the best option for seniors who just need a little help with balance and stability. A walking stick can help them to stay steady on their feet and prevent falls.
There are many different types of walking sticks available. Some have seats so that the user can sit down and rest when they get tired. Others have built in lights so that the user can see where they are going in low light conditions.
The Dynamo Prime Walking Stick is a good option for seniors who need a little extra help with balance and stability.
This walking stick is adjustable to fit your height. The rubber pads on it’s base offers great traction for both indoor and outdoor use on many types of surfaces.
The diameter of the ergonomic handle on the Dynamo Prime Walking Stick is designed to fit comfortably in your hand and provide you with a good grip.
No matter your hand size, this should fit comfortably.
Auto Aid
A car cane is the perfect solution for anyone who has trouble getting in and out of their car seat. It can also be very handy if you happen to have decreased hand strength!
The Stander HandyBar Car Cane is perfect for all different types of people! It can support up to 300 pounds in body weight but only weighs 10 ounces.
This means that you won’t have any trouble taking this with when getting into your car or driving someone else’s vehicle or ridesharing.
Standing Aids For Caregiver
If your senior loved one can’t or isn’t comfortable using any of the standing aids mentioned above and you need to help lift them up, you may want to consider using…
- a gait belt and/or
- The KFF lift handle
Using A Gait Belt
A gait belt is a simple device that can be used to help lift and support a person as they stand up. As an Occupational Therapist, I used this type of belt often with my patients.
It can be an invaluable tool for caregivers who need to assist their loved ones in standing up from a seated position.
The KFF Lift Handle
This double handled product with a non-slip design can help most anyone with upper body strength to help a senior person get up from a seated position.
Each of these devices has its own set of benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to choose the one that will work best for your loved one’s needs.
If you’re not sure which device is right for them, consult with their doctor or physical therapist.
