Can a riser recliner chair improve poor circulation?

A riser recliner chair does not treat poor circulation. It may, however, make it easier to change position, support your legs and stand up more regularly. Any underlying circulation problem should be assessed and managed by an appropriate healthcare professional.

Can I use a recliner chair if my legs become swollen?

You may find an adjustable footrest more comfortable if your legs or ankles swell. NHS guidance notes that raising swollen legs can sometimes help, depending on the cause. Persistent, unexplained or worsening swelling should be discussed with your GP.

What type of chair is best for elevating the legs?

A chair with an independently adjustable footrest may offer greater control over your leg position. The chair must also be the correct size. The footrest should support your legs properly without placing uncomfortable pressure behind the knees or leaving the feet unsupported.

Is a dual motor riser recliner better for swollen legs?

A dual motor chair can provide more positioning options because the footrest and backrest usually move independently. This may be useful if you want to support your legs while remaining upright, but it does not mean a dual motor chair is medically suitable for every circulation condition.

How long should I sit with my legs raised?

This will depend on your health, the cause of your symptoms and any advice given by your GP or healthcare professional. It is generally important to avoid sitting still for prolonged periods. Try to change position and move regularly where it is safe and practical to do so.

Should I try a riser recliner before buying one?

Yes. Trying the chair allows you to check that the seat height, depth, leg support and back position feel right. It also gives you an opportunity to test the rise function and make sure the handset is easy to operate.

Referring a Patient to Chiltern Care Chairs: How It Works

September 23, 2026

When a patient or client needs more supportive seating, the referral process should be straightforward.

At Chiltern Care Chairs, we regularly support enquiries from Occupational Therapists, physiotherapists, professional carers, care agencies, residential and nursing care providers, and teams involved in hospital discharge and rehabilitation.

Our role is to provide clear product information, suitable chair options, relevant seating measurements and the opportunity to trial seating. Clinical assessment and medical recommendations remain with the referring healthcare professional.

So what happens once you get in touch?

Start with the patient’s needs

The most useful referrals give us a clear picture of what the person needs from their chair.

That does not mean you need to identify a specific model before contacting us.

Useful information may include:

The reason for the referral
The patient’s mobility and transfer ability
Current seating difficulties
Relevant postural requirements
Approximate height and build
Any important seat dimensions already identified
Whether pressure-management features are required
Whether the person needs a powered rise function
Any recommendations from an OT, physiotherapist or wider clinical team
Whether the seating is required urgently, for example following hospital discharge

At Chiltern Care Chairs, we begin by asking practical questions about how the person sits, stands and uses their living space. The aim is to narrow down suitable options rather than expecting the referrer or patient to know exactly which product they need.

Contacting Chiltern Care Chairs

A referral can begin with a telephone call, email or enquiry through the website.

Our team can talk through the requirements and discuss whether it would be more appropriate for the patient to visit the showroom or for us to arrange a home visit. You can contact us on 01494 793129 or email [email protected]. Chiltern Care Chairs aims to respond to website and email enquiries within one working day.

Showroom appointment or home visit?

The next step depends on the individual.

Some patients may benefit from visiting our Chesham showroom, where they can compare a range of chairs and try different sizes, support options and powered functions. The showroom has step-free access and free parking.

For others, a free home visit may be more appropriate.

This can be especially helpful where:

Travel is difficult
The person has reduced mobility
Seating needs to be considered in the context of the home environment
The patient uses mobility aids or other equipment
Family members or carers need to be involved
It is useful to see how the proposed chair fits within the available space

For home visits, Chiltern Care Chairs can bring selected chairs based on the information provided, allowing the patient to try suitable options in familiar surroundings. There is no obligation to purchase following the visit.

What happens during the seating discussion?

The conversation will usually focus on how the patient uses their current chair and where difficulties are occurring.

For example:

Is the chair too low for an effective sit-to-stand transfer?
Is the seat depth preventing the person from sitting fully against the backrest?
Does the patient need independent control of the backrest and leg rest?
Would powered head or lumbar support be useful?
Is the current chair providing adequate support during prolonged sitting?
Can the patient operate the handset independently?
Does the chair need to work alongside a walking aid or other equipment?

Where the referring clinician has supplied specific recommendations or measurements, these can be used to help identify appropriate seating options.

Chiltern Care Chairs offers riser recliners and other supportive chairs in a range of sizes and configurations, with options including different motor actions, lumbar support, head support and other comfort features depending on the model.

Trying the chair is an important part of the process

Specifications are useful, but they do not always tell you how a chair will work for an individual.

Where possible, we encourage patients to try suitable seating before making a decision.

This allows the patient, family and referring professional to consider practical factors such as:

Seat height
Seat depth
Seat width
Armrest position
Back support
Ease of operating the controls
Sit-to-stand movement
Comfort when upright and reclined

The trial can also identify when a chair that appeared suitable on paper does not work as expected in practice.

What if the patient has complex clinical needs?

There are situations where chair selection should remain closely linked to clinical assessment.

For example, a patient with significant postural asymmetry, complex neurological needs, pressure damage, unpredictable transfers or substantial moving and handling requirements may need input from the appropriate healthcare professional before a chair is selected.

Chiltern Care Chairs does not replace that clinical role.

Instead, we can work from the recommendations provided and help identify products that meet the practical specification as closely as possible.

This distinction is important. Our role is to support the product selection and trial process, while clinical decision-making remains with the patient’s healthcare team.

What happens once a chair has been selected?

Once a suitable chair has been agreed, the team can arrange delivery and fitting.

Chiltern Care Chairs delivers and fits chairs using its own team, and the controls can be demonstrated so the patient understands how to use the chair before the team leaves. Old furniture can also be removed on request.

For some suitable in-stock chairs, next working day delivery may be available when ordered before midday. This can be particularly useful where supportive seating is needed quickly following hospital discharge or a sudden change in circumstances. Availability should always be confirmed at the time.

Support does not stop at delivery

A referral is not complete simply because the chair has arrived.

If the patient, family or professional has a question afterwards, Chiltern Care Chairs can provide ongoing aftercare and servicing.

That continuity can be particularly valuable for patients who rely on powered seating as part of their everyday routine.