Helping a Parent Get Up From Low Furniture: Risers, Firm Cushions and Assist Poles

A sofa can look perfectly comfortable and still feel like a deep sink when your parent tries to stand. If getting up takes several rocking attempts, the seat’s height and softness may be part of the problem, but pain, weakness, balance, dizziness, or difficulty following the steps can also play a role. This guide explains how to look at the whole transfer: the person, the seat, the support within reach, and the route they take after standing. You’ll learn when a firm cushion or furniture risers may help, what to check before trying an assist pole, and how to support your parent without pulling on their arms. These ideas are practical starting points, not a diagnosis; a sudden change or ongoing difficulty deserves qualified professional attention.

Find out why standing feels hard before changing the chair

Helping a parent get up from low furniture starts with noticing what makes the movement difficult: the seat may be too low or soft, or the problem may involve pain, weakness, balance, dizziness, or difficulty following the steps. These causes can look similar from across the room but call for different responses. Raising a seat may help someone who sinks into a low sofa; it won’t resolve faintness or weakness, and an adjustment that changes one part of the movement can make another part harder. Watch a typical attempt from nearby, without rushing your parent. Do they sink into the sofa cushion? Do their feet slide forward? Do they rock several times before standing, hold their breath, or reach for a small table? Each detail points to a different demand the transfer is placing on them. For example, a deep, compressible cushion can leave the person starting from a lower position than expected, while feet that slide forward make it harder to push through the legs. These observations are more useful to a therapist than a general report that the chair is difficult. Compare what happens in different seats, if your parent can use them safely. If they rise smoothly from a firm dining chair but struggle in the soft living-room sofa, seat height and compression may be contributing. If they struggle across several seats, the issue may be less about one piece of furniture and more about a change in strength, pain, balance, or health. New pain, faintness, or noticeably weaker legs should not be treated as a furniture problem alone; sudden or worsening changes deserve medical attention. There is no single ideal chair height for everyone. A higher seat can reduce the effort needed to rise, but if it is too high your parent’s feet may no longer rest securely, reducing their sense of stability. The useful adjustment is one that makes rising easier while preserving a secure sitting position and supported feet. A physical or occupational therapist can observe your parent using their own furniture and weigh these tradeoffs alongside their strength, balance, and home.

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Try a firm cushion when the seat feels too low or soft

A firm, supportive cushion can raise a sitting surface and reduce how far your parent sinks, which may make standing easier when a chair is too low or soft. Its value depends on more than added height: it must stay in place and leave your parent balanced, with their feet supported. A thick or squishy cushion can raise the seat while giving way unevenly under the body, making it harder to shift weight forward or push up. Think about what happens when your parent sits down. If a living-room sofa compresses deeply under them, they may start from a lower position than the sofa’s appearance suggests. A dense cushion that barely compresses may bring the sitting surface closer to the firm chair they already use comfortably. But raising the seat changes the relationship between the hips, knees, and feet. The aim is not simply to make the chair taller; it is to give your parent a steady starting position from which they can place their feet and rise without excessive strain. Check the cushion on the actual chair. Does it slide when your parent leans forward? Does it bunch against the back? Do their feet still rest flat on the floor? A cushion that shifts can take support away mid-transfer; one that pushes them forward or leaves their feet unsupported may reduce stability even if standing initially feels easier. Try the same familiar transfer slowly, with a responsible adult nearby and the walking route clear. Stop if your parent feels unsteady or uncomfortable, because a successful rise alone does not show that the whole transfer is safe. For instance, a parent who can rise from a firm dining chair but sinks into a plush armchair might benefit from a stable seat cushion. But if they feel dizzy, have joint pain, or cannot stand safely even from a firm seat, don’t treat a cushion as the answer. The cushion can address the seat’s height or compression, not the reason for dizziness or a broader mobility change. Ask a qualified professional to assess what is contributing.

Use furniture risers only when every leg sits securely

Furniture risers can lift a chair or sofa to make the sitting surface higher, but they change the support beneath the whole piece of furniture. They are suitable only when each riser fits securely and sits level on a firm floor. A poorly matched set can make the furniture rock, slide, or carry weight unevenly; added height does not help if the seat becomes less stable while your parent pushes up. Before considering risers, look underneath the furniture. Separate legs may fit compatible risers, while angled feet, casters, unusual bases, or a continuous sofa base can make the setup unsuitable. Read the manufacturer’s instructions, including weight limits and how the risers must support the furniture. Don’t improvise with stacked books or blocks: these can shift or compress under load, and their failure may happen just as your parent is leaning forward and relying on the chair for support. After installation, check that every leg is seated correctly and that the furniture feels steady when gently tested. Then consider what the extra height changes around it. A raised sofa may sit closer to a table or change the step into a walkway; a parent who stands more easily but then reaches for a wobbly side table has not gained a safer route. The adjustment needs to work for both rising and moving away from the seat. For example, a straight-legged armchair on a firm, level floor may be a reasonable candidate for risers designed to fit those legs. A sofa with angled feet on thick carpet may not be, because the feet and floor can make even support difficult to achieve. When the furniture or floor makes the fit uncertain, ask a therapist or the manufacturer for advice rather than testing a questionable setup with your parent.

Match an assist pole to the chair and the room

An assist pole or transfer handle can give your parent a handhold while standing, but a handhold only helps if it remains secure when used and lets them move naturally. A pole that shifts under pressure, sits beyond comfortable reach, or makes the person twist can turn a source of support into a new risk. The device should suit the installation and the person’s movement, not just fit in the available space. Some poles use tension between the floor and ceiling; other handles attach to particular furniture or a bed. Those designs are not interchangeable. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and check that the floor, ceiling, furniture, and surrounding space suit the specific device. This matters because a pole may appear firmly installed but still be unsuitable for the surface or structure it relies on. The person should be able to place a hand on it naturally without reaching far behind, leaning sideways, or pulling with their whole body weight. Picture a parent rising from an armchair. A handle placed where they can grip it comfortably may give them a stable point to push from. A pole set too far behind them can prompt a twist as they stand, changing the direction of their movement when they need to shift their weight forward. If it loosens under pressure, the support can move at the moment they rely on it. Watch how your parent uses the pole; secure installation is necessary, but it does not guarantee that the position suits their abilities. An assist pole can be a useful aid for someone who can stand with a reliable handhold, but it does not replace assessment when your parent cannot rise safely. If they need more help than a stable handhold provides, a pole may encourage them or a caregiver to take on a transfer it cannot safely support. Discuss options with a physical or occupational therapist. The therapist can observe the movement and advise whether another aid, including a powered lift chair, deserves consideration.

Use a steady standing sequence and give your parent time

Helping a parent get up from low furniture is usually steadier when they move toward the seat’s edge, plant both feet, lean their chest forward, and push from a stable surface. These steps help bring their weight over their feet before they rise. Rushing can interrupt that shift and leave them reaching or pushing from an unstable position. Give them time to complete each part, and have them pause before walking if they feel light-headed.

1. Move toward the edge. Your parent should shift forward in the seat without sliding into an unstable position. Moving forward gives their body room to lean, but they should stop where they still feel secure.
2. Place both feet flat. If they can do so comfortably, their feet should be slightly behind their knees, with stable footwear on. This gives them a base to push through; feet too far forward can make it harder to bring their weight over them.
3. Lean the chest forward. A gentle forward lean brings their weight over their feet; avoid rushing them through the movement. The amount they can lean depends on comfort, balance, and ability, so do not force the position.
4. Push from a stable surface. They can use the armrests or a suitable, secure handhold if that matches their abilities. A surface that shifts or a handhold that requires twisting may not help, even if it is nearby.
5. Pause before walking. Let them stand steady and notice how they feel before taking steps. This pause makes it easier to notice light-headedness or loss of balance before they start moving.

The sequence is a general guide, not a promise that every person can use it safely. For example, a parent with painful knees may not tolerate the same forward lean as someone whose main difficulty comes from a deep cushion. The useful technique depends on what the person can do without pain or losing balance. If they cannot rise without being hauled upward, stop and ask a therapist to demonstrate an appropriate transfer for both of you. Avoid pulling your parent by the arms. It can strain your back and shoulders and hurt theirs, while giving neither person reliable support. Their arms are not a dependable substitute for a stable surface, and a sudden shift can leave both of you off balance. If one-person help feels unsafe, don’t attempt a lift just to get through the moment; seek professional guidance.

Clear the route so standing does not lead to a stumble

A safer transfer includes the first steps after standing: remove loose rugs and clutter, provide good lighting, and make sure your parent has stable footwear. Standing is only one part of the task; your parent still needs to stay balanced while turning or walking away. A clear path reduces the chance that a trip or an out-of-reach object undoes the effort of rising safely. Take a slow look around the seat at the time your parent normally uses it. Is a phone charger stretched across the floor? Has a small rug curled at the corner? Is the lamp switch hard to reach in the evening? These details matter because they can be difficult to see or avoid while your parent is concentrating on standing. Move everyday items within easy reach, keep the walking route open, and make sure the light is on before your parent starts moving. A lightweight side table may look convenient, but it should not serve as a handhold unless it is designed and secured for that use. It may be within reach without being able to withstand the force of pushing up, so it can slide or tip. For instance, moving a remote and a lamp closer to the chair may reduce reaching without asking your parent to rely on the table to stand. This kind of change improves access while keeping a separate, unstable object out of the transfer. Check footwear too. Socks on a smooth floor can slide, and loose slippers may shift underfoot. Stable footwear can support footing, but it cannot make an obstructed route safe. The best changes are the ones that work in the real room, at the real time of day, with the items your parent actually uses. If they still feel unsteady after you clear the route, ask a therapist to assess the whole transfer.

Recheck the setup and know when to ask for help

Furniture adjustments should be rechecked as your parent’s strength, balance, health, or comfort changes. A setup that feels steady today may stop working later because the person or the furniture has changed. Continuing to rely on a once-helpful adjustment can hide that change or add a new source of instability, so persistent difficulty calls for professional advice instead of increasingly improvised supports. After adding a cushion, risers, or an assist pole, observe how your parent sits, rises, and begins walking. Check that the furniture stays stable, the cushion remains in place, and the handhold stays secure according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Ask your parent how the change feels; a seat that looks easier from the side may feel awkward or unsafe to them. Their experience matters because discomfort or hesitation can change how they move, even when the equipment appears to fit. For example, a parent may use a cushion comfortably for months, then start gripping the armrests hard or rocking several times to get up. That change is useful information, not a reason to add another layer or more height automatically. It may reflect a change in the person, a problem with the setup, or both. An occupational or physical therapist can watch the transfer at home and consider the person, the furniture, the available space, and the helper’s technique together. Seeing the real setup helps distinguish which part needs to change. A lift chair may be worth discussing if your parent cannot rise safely despite suitable furniture adjustments, or if weakness or pain is substantial. It can assist with standing, but it is still important to consider whether the chair fits the person and room and how they will move once upright. There is no universal measurement that tells you which seat or device is right. A qualified professional can help assess fit and teach you both a suitable approach. If the difficulty starts suddenly, or comes with faintness, new severe pain, confusion, or abrupt weakness, contact a medical professional promptly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How high should a chair or sofa be for my parent?

There is no universal seat height that suits everyone. Your parent should be able to sit with their feet supported and rise without excessive strain while still feeling secure; a physical or occupational therapist can assess their chair and movement.

Are furniture risers safe for a sofa?

They can be suitable when the risers fit the sofa’s feet or base, support it evenly, and leave it stable on a firm floor. Angled legs, casters, a continuous base, or an uneven surface can make a sofa a poor fit, so check the product instructions and ask for advice if uncertain.

Is a firm cushion better than a soft one?

A firm cushion may help when a parent sinks deeply into a seat, since it can raise the sitting surface without compressing as much. It should stay in place and leave the person sitting steadily with their feet supported; a thick cushion that shifts can make balance worse.

Should I pull my parent up by their arms?

Avoid pulling on their arms because it can hurt your parent and strain you, and it may not give either of you stable support. If they cannot rise using a suitable handhold and a steady technique, ask a physical or occupational therapist to demonstrate a safer approach.

What should I do if my parent suddenly struggles to stand?

A sudden loss of strength, faintness, new severe pain, confusion, or another abrupt change needs prompt attention from a medical professional. Don’t assume a cushion or furniture adjustment addresses a sudden change in mobility.

Conclusion

Start by watching the transfer your parent already makes: how the seat compresses, where their feet land, what they reach for, and how steady they feel afterward. Try only changes that fit the furniture and the person, and ask a physical or occupational therapist to assess persistent difficulty or an uncertain setup. The best adjustment is the one that leaves your parent seated securely, standing with less strain, and moving into a clear space. A chair should feel like a place to rest, not a trap to climb out of.