Have you ever watched an older family member sink into their recliner and wondered if the chair is quietly doing more harm than good?

I ask myself that a lot. I speak to many Australians who tell me their mum, dad or grandparent spends most of the day in a recliner. At first it just sounds comfortable. Then I hear the extra details. They hardly walk to the kitchen. They only stand up when they really have to. They might even eat, nap and watch TV all in that same chair. Over time, that cosy habit can turn into weaker muscles, stiffer joints and a chair that feels like the only safe place left in the house.

My goal here is simple. I want to walk you through what I check first with any recliner a senior is using, and how you can make that setup safer without taking away the comfort they love.

Why long hours in a recliner worry me

Spending time in a recliner is not a problem by itself. The trouble starts when the recliner turns into the main place someone lives. I’ve seen people get wheeled from bed to their chair in the morning and then go back to bed at night with very little movement in between. At first, everyone involved feels relieved because there are fewer falls and less wandering. But after a while, I see the price that routine asks from the body.

Sitting still for long stretches changes circulation, energy levels and mood. Health experts have been talking about this for years. I often think about a guide on sitting time from Mayo Clinic that explains how long periods of sitting can raise the risk of heart problems and other issues. There is also a clear explanation from Cleveland Clinic about sedentary lifestyles, which matches what I see in older adults who spend most of the day in one spot.

For seniors, the effect seems stronger. Once standing up starts to feel shaky, they try to avoid it. That leads to less walking, which leads to weaker legs, which makes standing feel even harder. I’ve seen that loop play out many times, and the recliner often sits right in the middle of it.

Comfort is great but the chair needs to support the body

Recliners are popular for a good reason. They feel good. The feet go up, the back leans back, and the body gets a break from standing. The question I always ask is whether the chair supports the body in a healthy way while all that is happening.

I look at the basics first. Does the person sit upright without sliding forwards? Do they lean to one side? Does their head flop down because the backrest is too low? Too many chairs are built for looks or for younger bodies, not for older backs and weaker hips. That is why I often send people to read an article on what to look for in an ergonomic recliner for everyday use. It breaks down the sort of support that actually matters when someone spends hours in the same chair.

I also think about whether the recliner is truly helping a person stay independent. There is a helpful piece on whether recliner chairs are beneficial for seniors with mobility issues, and it lines up with what I see. The right chair can make standing easier and reduce strain on the joints. The wrong one can trap someone in a position where they feel stuck, especially if the mechanics are heavy or confusing.

My basic checklist for recliner chair safety

Whenever I look at a senior sitting in a recliner, I run through the same mental list. You can do the same at home. None of this is complicated, but it can change how safe and comfortable the chair feels.

1. Seat height – When the person sits upright with their feet on the floor, their knees should be roughly level with their hips. If the seat is too low, standing becomes a strain. If it is too high, their feet may dangle and circulation can suffer.

2. Seat depth – The back of the knees should not be jammed against the front edge of the seat. A small gap helps. Too deep and they slide forwards, too shallow and they feel perched on the edge.

3. Back support – The chair should support the natural curve of the spine. If they are slumping or leaning to one side, the chair is not doing its job.

4. Armrests – Strong, steady armrests help with standing. If they are too low, too high or wobbly, standing up safely becomes harder.

5. Footrest and leg position – Legs should be supported without forcing the knees into an awkward angle. Overextended legs can disturb circulation, while dangling feet can make someone feel unstable.

6. Controls – With an electric recliner, the controls should be simple and within easy reach. If someone fumbles every time they try to adjust the chair, that’s not safe.

These are simple checks, but they matter. I’ve read pieces like this article on sitting and health from AgingCare and a discussion on risks of sitting in a recliner all day, and they mirror what I see in real homes. If the chair does not encourage good posture, pressure can build up in the wrong areas and stiffness gradually becomes the new normal.

Tip: after this section, you can add a small visual block linking to lift chairs and chairs positioning products.

Why some seniors barely leave the recliner

One pattern I see often is a slow drift into spending almost every waking hour in the recliner. It rarely starts that way. Maybe a person has a fall and feels frightened. Maybe their knees become painful. Maybe their balance changes. The chair becomes the one place where they feel safe and steady.

Over time, they walk less and rely more on the recliner. Family members sometimes feel torn. On the one hand, everyone is relieved that there are fewer falls. On the other hand, they can see their parent or partner losing strength. I have seen this play out so many times that I now try to spot it early.

What helps most is giving very concrete reasons to get up. Vague encouragement does not work. If I say “you should move more”, the person often nods and then stays seated. If I suggest “let’s walk to the porch for some fresh air” or “how about we sit at the table for a cup of tea”, I get a better response. Little routines like that create movement without making it feel like exercise.

Sometimes, movement is still hard because joints are sore or confidence is low. In those cases, mobility aids can give someone just enough support to feel safer on their feet. A good starting point is exploring walking aids such as walkers and walking frames, or even looking at walking sticks for shorter trips inside the home.

Where lift chairs can make a difference

There is a big difference between a standard recliner and a lift chair. A lift chair helps raise the person from sitting to almost standing, which takes pressure off the knees, hips and lower back. I’ve seen people go from needing two people to help them stand, to being able to stand with much more confidence once they have the right lift chair.

If you are worried about a loved one “falling into” their recliner and struggling to get out again, it may be worth browsing the range of lift chairs. These chairs are built with these exact challenges in mind. For someone who spends hours in the chair every day, that extra support at standing time can reduce the risk of falls and give back a sense of control.

A chair on its own is not a full solution. The way it is set up and where it sits in the room also plays a part. I often suggest placing it where there is enough clear floor space for a safe stand and step, rather than boxing it in with side tables and clutter. If the person has more complex positioning needs, you can also look through chairs positioning options that offer more targeted support.

Small changes that make a big difference

Not every home needs a brand new chair straight away. Sometimes small adjustments can make a current recliner safer. I have seen simple things help:

1. Adding a firm cushion behind the lower back to stop slumping.

2. Adjusting the recline angle so the person can still see the room clearly and feel engaged.

3. Setting gentle “movement goals” during the day, such as standing up before each meal.

4. Checking that the floor around the chair is clear, with no cords or loose mats.

There are also broader guides that talk about sitting time and health in more detail. For example, this piece on sitting all day from Verywell Health and this article on excessive sitting for older adults both echo what I hear from clients and their families. Longer sitting times are linked with reduced strength, lower mood and a higher risk of health issues, which is why even tiny changes in daily movement can matter.

How I suggest people move forward

If you are worried about a parent or partner living in their recliner, you are not alone. I hear this concern often, and there are practical things you can do without turning their world upside down. Start by looking at how they sit, how they stand and how often they move during the day. Use the checklist above. Notice the small details: sliding, leaning, wincing when they try to stand.

From there, think about whether a different chair might help. For some people, reading more about recliner chairs for seniors with mobility issues is a helpful next step. For others, exploring what to look for in an ergonomic recliner gives them the confidence to choose something that genuinely supports their body.

If balance or standing is already a struggle, it might be time to look at lift chairs, positioning chairs and walking aids as part of a more complete setup.

And if all of this feels a bit much to work through alone, I’m here to help. You can reach out through our contact page and tell me about your situation. I’m happy to talk through chair options, safety concerns and small daily changes that can keep your loved one comfortable and more confident on their feet.