What are the best chairs that turn into beds for the elderly?

We often hear that the UK’s population is ageing – good news! We are getting better at living healthier lives and our medical profession is gaining ground over illness and disease.

According to Age UK, men aged 70 years old in 2017 have similar levels of poor general health as men aged 65 in 1997. And women aged 70 years old in 2017 have similar levels of limiting longstanding illness as those aged 60 in 1981.

People may be living longer, but it’s vital that we’re happy and enjoy a good quality of life as we age.

Fundamentally, we want to live at home. We want to be independent. We want to be comfortable.

Achieving this can take a little work but it is do-able. And for some people, looking at new ways of sitting and sleeping, by using a chair bed for instance, is part of the future.

1. What is a chair bed?
2. Why choose a chair bed?
3. Key considerations when choosing a chair bed
4. Best recliner chairs that turn into beds
5. Chair Bed Vs Sofa Bed

What is a chair bed?

There are many recliner chairs that turn into beds for the elderly and people with mobility issues. These are ideal for older people who have difficulty getting in and out of bed because they enable the user to switch from an upright armchair to a comfortable single bed with ease. Mobility issues should not be a barrier to good quality sleep, and the chairs that turn into beds for elderly people come with various features designed to help users sleep comfortably and worry-free.

The best chair beds are versatile enough to suit a range of sitting and sleeping needs. Manual Recline chair beds are operated by a lever. Their electric counterparts are controlled by the touch of a button and these can even help the user rise to a standing position.

Why choose a chair bed?

People opt for sleeping chairs for all sorts of reasons, but research suggests there are three main benefits:

• Health: a chair bed allows a great night’s sleep if getting into an actual bed is difficult for a period of time due to surgery, mobility or health issues.
• Sleep: drifting off in an actual bed can be difficult due to insomnia, sleep apnoea or even an irritating bedfellow. A chair bed is a haven enjoyed by many in this situation.
• Indulgence: who doesn’t want a daytime nap on a chair bed made from soft, comfortable materials, ensuring optimal comfort in both sitting and reclined positions? Form an orderly queue…

Key considerations when choosing a chair bed

Whether a sleeping chair is manual or electric, it should include various features to help people with mobility or health issues. Working with a specialist furniture company means an individual can incorporate the features that their personal situation demands within the chair bed.

Firstly, the chair is made to measure, so will fit the length of the user’s legs and back, and their weight. The style of the back of the chair can be adjusted to factor in neck pain, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and other relevant conditions. Look at our guide to back styles for more detailed information.

Choose a weighted pillow to minimise the risk of the pillow falling off when the chair is in the bed position. Consider a footrest that can be extended in both the upright and reclined positions to raise the legs for added comfort and better circulation.

Electrically-operated models tend to have the option of including a mechanism that raises the seat to assist with standing up from the chair – a must-have for many.

Best recliner chairs that turn into beds

There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to specifying the best sofa chairs that turn into beds because every user has slightly different needs.

Problems with knees and/or hips can make it difficult to get into and out of static chairs and traditional beds. A high seat can help, as will an automatic mechanism to convert the chair into the bed. The Berkshire Collection includes a rise and recline chair that is both sleek and luxurious. Rounded and curved arms give comfort when in the chair (and when getting out of the chair) and you can choose between three different types of back and multiple fabrics.

Discover the Berkshire Collection

Arthritis and/or osteoporosis in the back and neck can make sleeping in a bed uncomfortable, so many people turn to a chair bed as a temporary solution. The Cheshire Collection includes chair beds with wooden knuckles (in three different colours) that lend support when sitting down and standing up. There are four back options to choose between along with different types of seating (standard, high pressure gel and aero seating are all in the mix) and even optional heat and massage features.

Discover the Cheshire Collection

Some people need to spend more time in their chair bed in which context it is vital that every consideration is met, from handy USB ports within the arms of the chair to make it easier to charge mobile phones to anti-microbial upholstery. The rise and recline chairs within the Hampshire Collection are a popular choice. They have an added layer of padding on the arm for extra comfort. As well as leather, velvet and chenille, the rise and recline chairs are available in anti-microbial, anti-fungal and waterproof upholstery.

Discover the Hampshire Collection

If a little further support is needed, consider a chair bed from a home care range.

When thinking about the best chairs that turn into beds, it’s worth pointing out that some beds turn into chairs too. For example, The Bingley is a special rotational chair bed designed for people who need a little help to get into and out of bed. The mattress can form a chair that allows the individual to get to enter or exit the bed with ease. It’s an extremely popular piece of furniture, a game-changer for many of our customers.

Discover Our Electric Sofa Bed

We need to bring sofa beds into the conversion as well. Our newest sofa bed is actually electric. This means that you only have to press a button and it turns from a stylish sofa into an extremely comfortable bed. You don’t even have to take the cushions off! Another button transforms it from bed back into sofa again.

Chair Bed Vs Sofa Bed

Chair beds and sofa beds are the same, aside from the size. Sofa beds come normally in a two-seater or more and when pulled out, it will be the size of a standard double bed sized mattress.

The counterparts to both that do not have a bed function would be riser recliner chairs and recliner sofas. Both chair beds and sofa beds can be electronically operated, depending on the model you get.

Sofa Beds and Chair Beds come in either manual or electric.

The bottom line

Choosing a chair bed is subjective; some are brilliant for one person and less so for another. The Mobility Furniture Company has a wide range of options and a great team to chat to. We’re always happy to talk about what we love (quality mobility furniture) in relation to our customers’ physical needs and work out potential solutions together.