I know I can google this, but I thought someone might have personal experience with this. I got this note from Dad this morning:
“Would you have time to check on a chair that I can use at home? Recliner is too low unless it has a high seat so I can easily get out of it. There may be some special chairs for rehab patients.”
Any thoughts? Thanks!
Look up “lift assist recliner” - there are many options from $300 Amazon ones to $5000 Relax the back ones.
My in-laws have one they bought that has the lift feature…and it’s not huge and very comfortable. I’ll see if I can get the name.
And look on your local Craigslist. We were able to find one inexpensively in like-new condition.
I appreciate suggestions since I’m doing this from a long distance.
The power lift chairs can be very good. They come in different sizes though do a tall man will be more comfortable in a larger one.
A temporary solution can be to add a foam cushion to existing chair. Sometimes sold as wheelchair cushions.
Another temporary solution is to put a (non recliner) chair or couch on blocks.
Yes, Craigslist or local FB pages. My dad had one but it was only used for a short time. Others might want to get rid of one also.
Also note that furniture stores sell a power recliner, which only seems to decline easily. You want the kind where the seat actually lifts up and helps the person stand up.
My ILs have power recliners that they have on a low base in order to help deal with the height issue.
Their chairs are Lazyboy. The ALF got one base and my husband made the other.
My in-laws also got a LaZboy…i think…MIL uses it now and is very happy with it. You need to try them. No other way to know.
Costco has a few of them:
https://www.costco.com/Thomas-Fabric-ProLounger-Lift-Chair.product.100418620.html
My Mom had a assisted lift recliner that looked like a regular recliner. It was purchased at an independent pharmacy.my sister went to the store and looked at them and ordered one and it was delivered to my Mom. The grandkids loved that chair. It made a huge difference for my Mom. It lifted her to a standing position.
Maybe check the Nextdoor site in the local area. As someone mentioned they are sometimes available used.
This is all so helpful! I emailed my sister a link to this thread, since she’s local to my dad. 
Looks like Medicare will cover a portion of the chair price. This article also includes information about lift chairs:
https://www.aginginplace.org/does-medicare-cover-lift-chairs/
Sometimes local churches will have a “medical equipment loan” program.
^^ Out local hospice also has an equipment loan program - might be worth checking out
If you get a power assist chair or recliner be sure it has battery back up. I could tell you the horror story of one of my clients who was just home from hip surgery and she and her husband who had Parkinson’s were stuck in their chairs all day and night because they were in full recline when their electricity was cut off during a storm.
Some folks are suggestion places that loan these chairs. My in-laws purchased their chair. They knew one of them needed it immediately, but wanted something the other could use too. The one they purchased is on the smaller side, and really, unless you look closely, it doesn’t look like a recliner at all.
My father bought a lazyboy recliner chair that has wood arms. He found that it helped him stand if he could grip the armrests. This chair has a modern look, leather upholstery and it isn’t like the traditional recliner that swallows you up.
Thanks so much for all the help! I have given my sister all your ideas. I’m going to close the thread now.