Many older people stop using their bed at some point. A parent who suffers from heartburn or shortness of breath finds the living room recliner easier, and after a few weeks it becomes the spot where they sleep every night. Yes, a senior can sleep in a recliner, and in certain health cases, a doctor may even recommend a recliner. Sleeping in a recliner at night may be risk-free, but you can minimize most risks if you know what to look for.
Why Many Seniors Prefer to Sleep in a Recliner
Health Conditions That Make Lying Flat Hard
One of the most common reasons is acid reflux. Burning is worse when the body is flat, and the stomach acid gets into the esophagus; the burning often wakes people at 2 or 3 am. The Mayo Clinic recommends elevating the head of the bed 6 to 9 inches for people with GERD. A recliner provides a similar angle without blocks or foam wedges.
Many elderly people also have to sit in a chair because of breathing issues. Those who suffer from COPD, heart failure, or obstructive sleep apnea tend to breathe better when partially upright, as the airway is less likely to constrict and fluid drains away from the body. Surgery is also a trigger. Patients are often advised to sleep propped up for a few weeks after shoulder surgery or open heart surgery because the act of getting out of bed puts stress on the surgery area or on the repaired joint.
Comfort, Pain, and Getting Up at Night
A large share of recliner sleepers are people with arthritis and back pain. The chair might relieve pressure on the senior’s lower back in a way their mattress never did. The soft bed that rolls over and pushes her up is uncomfortable, and the recliner allows her to lean forward and stand up at the same time.
Habit counts for more than families expect. A senior who naps in the chair every afternoon may simply stay there after dozing off during the evening news. For some, it may be easier to sit in the chair because the bathroom is closer, or because the bed had been shared with a spouse who passed away. These reasons deserve your respect, even if you’re concerned about safety.
The Risks of Sleeping Upright Every Night
Circulation and Leg Swelling
Sitting with bent knees and hips slows blood circulation in the legs. This often leads to swollen ankles. Over time, decreased mobility increases the risk of developing a blood clot that can travel to the lungs (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT). The greatest risk is for seniors who move little, seniors recovering from surgery, or seniors who suffer from heart disease.
This can be aided by a footrest, but this does not usually raise the feet above heart level. When swelling is the primary issue, the feet must be higher than the chest, and most recliners won’t allow this. If a calf is painful, warm, or swollen, notify the doctor the same day.
Skin, Joints, and Posture
Pressure injuries occur when the same area of skin is under pressure for a prolonged period. The tailbone, buttocks, and heels bear the brunt of the weight when the recliner is used. Frail elderly and those with diabetes are at higher risk, and damage may start in just a few hours of continuous pressure. For this reason, patients in the bed are typically turned every two hours, and the same applies for a chair.
Joints pay a price too. Hips and knees kept bent night after night can tighten into a contracture, making it harder to stand straight and walk. A forward or sideways head tilt often strains the neck. Many families have observed that a parent gets up in the morning more stiff than when they sat down.
Falls and Mechanical Hazards
Most falls occur when someone gets up in the dark. A seat that’s too low, or a foot plate that must be pushed down with the legs, makes standing unstable. Sleep and blood pressure medications increase the risk because of dizziness as a side effect.
Power recliners add their own dangers. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has warned that children and pets can become trapped under power recliner footrests. Check under the chair each time before it is lowered if grandchildren are visiting or a dog is sleeping near the chair.
How to Make Recliner Sleep Safer
If your loved one sleeps in a chair most nights, a power lift chair is typically a better option than a standard recliner. It bends forward to make it easier for the user to stand, helping to avoid strain on the knees and the risk of falling. The infinite position and zero gravity models let the legs move closer to the heart and the back recline.
Fit is more important than features. Your parent’s feet should be flat on the floor with knees bent at about 90 degrees when they are sitting up. Test the weight capacity and seat depth, and test the remote – it should have large, clearly marked buttons. For larger or taller users, a heavy-duty lift chair for seniors offers a wider seat and a reinforced frame, with weight limits often in the 400 to 500-pound range. A battery backup prevents the chair from remaining in a recline position when the power goes out.
With a few tweaks, you can avoid most issues. Install a nightlight along the route to the bathroom. Clear away any loose rugs. Keep a cell phone or medical alert device in the bathroom. A pressure-relief cushion and a small pillow behind the neck help prevent skin and joint damage.
Encourage movement through the night. Adjusting the recline angle, moving the body weight or standing up for a short period every couple of hours helps to keep the blood flowing and allows the skin to rest. Pumping the ankles and flexing and pointing the feet 10 times may be performed while seated in the chair. Compression stockings may be useful, but only after consulting a doctor, as they are not suitable for people with poor circulation.
When to Talk to a Doctor
If the senior switches from bed to the recliner, this should be discussed at the next appointment. It could indicate an unknown health issue. When a person has to sit up to breathe, this is referred to as orthopnea, and it is a frequent symptom of heart failure that should be evaluated promptly.
Call early if you see any of the following:
- Swelling of the leg, heat, or pain in one leg
- Difficulty breathing that gets worse when lying down
- A red or dark patch on the tailbone or heels that does not go away after 30 minutes of relieving pressure
- Loud snoring, gasping, or breathing stopping during sleep
- New difficulty getting up from the chair
- Confusion or fatigue during the day that may be indicative of poor sleep
Conclusion
For many seniors, sleeping in a recliner is safe when it fits properly, it is equipped for nighttime visits, and someone monitors skin, legs, and breathing. Use the chair as a valuable bit of information, and tell your loved one’s doctor about it. Make adjustments so that they can get a good night’s sleep without creating new issues by morning.
Featured Photo by T Leish on Pexels
