Best 5 Tables for Recliner Chair Users with Parkinson’s Disease

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A recliner chair is often best choice for someone with Parkinson’s Disease. Comfort and the rise and recline features that come with recliner chairs make it easier to get in and out of the chair more easily. Finding the best table for recliner chair users with Parkinson’s Disease is vital. As the illness progresses mobility becomes harder. Many Parkinson’s Disease sufferers find eating and drinking in their chair is easier (speaking from experience).

Considering what is the best table in your budget to buy for someone with Parkinson’s Disease that will comfortably enable them to eat, drink, do an activity or read whilst sat in their recliner chair. A few factors need to be considered.

What to Consider when buying a table for a recliner chair

• Size of chair
• Tremors
• What they want to use the table for
• Storage space
• Adjustability of table
• Durability and Stability
• comfort
• ease of fit under the chair

There are many different designs and sizes of recliner chairs. There are some that are rise and recline and some that just recline. Depending on your reason for a recliner dictates your choice of chair. For someone who has Parkinson’s Disease, consideration is needed for the long term. As the illness progresses, mobility, stiffness cognitions are affected. Many may also experience the ‘pisa effect‘. This is so called because the person leans to the side as per the leaning tower of Pisa and a bent spine that forces the head forward. Fatigue is also a frequent issue and can make symptoms worse such as weakness.

Because of postural changes, it is advisable to ask your OT for a full assessment prior to purchasing a chair. In many instances your OT can provide a suitable chair.

In finding your best table for recliner chair users and you have your chair you can then you can think about what you want your table will be used for. Most are used for eating, reading and many other activities. With this in mind it will need to go under the chair to be close enough to do these things in comfort.

Top 5 Best Tables for Recliner Chair Users

My first choice is the adjustable curved top over chair table. This is my top choice, and have purchased. It is a real winner ticking all my boxes.

Pros:

1. Is adjustable in width and height making it a good fit for most recliner chairs.
2. Has a curved top design allowing closer fit and accessibility. (helps stop food falling on floor)
3. Has lips at sides and back which helps stop things falling off sides
4. Sturdy and stable. When tremors are present it does not wobble the table
5. Can be adjusted wide enough to fit across a single bed too.
6. Is on wheels so easily moved around.
7. Large table top area for activities too such as a puzzle, dominoes or ready.
8. Does not go under the chair or bed so space under chair is not an issue
9. lockable wheels

Cons:

1. Storage can be an issue due to its size.
2. Heavy due to its solidity,
3. Expensive. More expensive than a lot of over chair tables at £120 approx.

My second choice is the Twin Top Adjustable Over Chair and bed table. This table is very versatile and again an adjustable table in height and width. You can also purchase an extension add on piece to fit over a 5ft bed for an extra cost. The table can also be reversible for right or left hand use. The table also has the added feature of tilt.

The versatility of this table and added options is why it is on my top 5 list. The reason it is not my top choice is that it is a very expensive table to buy and the most expensive table on my list.

Pros:

1. Fully adjustable for width and height
2. Very stable and durable, particularly when tremors are present
3. Has tilt option so that you can read more comfortably
4. Reversible for left and right hand users
5. Lockable wheels
6. Option of adding extension to fit over a 5ft bed
7. Twin design for a ‘side’ piece as a little side table
8. Easy to assemble
9. Easy to move around due to wheels
10. Large surface area

Cons:

1. Expensive to buy
2. Is a heavy table, particularly on carpet
3. Some say that the tilt is a bit awkward and have to raise it fully to let it down
4. Takes up a lot of room and not easy to store if not in use due to being a static table

My third choice of table is one of the classic C style tables. It is the Elite Care Deluxe over bed/chair table. It is my third choice, again due to the high cost of the table which is in fact dearer than my first choice. I still rate this table due to its flexibility and storage capacity. The table is made of hard plastic and so easy to clean and lighter in weight.

Pros:

1. Sturdy and more lightweight
2. Adustable in height and width to fit most chairs
3. Tilt option for reading
4. Lockable wheels to move around easily
5. Folds so easily stored under bed or at side
6. Easy to assemble
7. Has a twin top so your drink can be out of the way

Cons:

1. Slippery surface, risk of sliding cutlery can make it a hazard issue
2. Expensive
3. Tilt can be fiddly for some

My fourth choice is another classic C shape table. The Performance Health Overbed/chair table. This table is a classic design. It is lightweight and height adjustable and best of all, more affordable. I like this table due to its lightweight and easy storage ability and has lips on the side to stop items sliding off.

Pros:

1. Adjustable height and angle
2. More affordable at under £50
3. Easy clean teak surface
4. Lightweight
5. Wheels for easy movement that are lockable
6. Rails on sides to stop items sliding off

Cons:

1. Bottom bars not adjustable and so may not fit under low level furniture
2. Not as sturdy as top 3 choice of table due to locking wheels coming loose over time, particularly for tremors may be an issue.

My final choice is another classic C table. This NRS over bed/chair table is the cheapest, most economical table that I have seen that has good reviews for its sturdiness. A good table that suits most budgets. Due to its design of ‘flatter’ legs it can slide under low level furniture more easily. It also has a height adjustable and tilt function feature. A good cheap all rounder table.

Pros:

1. Most economical at under £40
2. Easy to construct
3. Lightweight
4. Teak surface making it easier to clean
5. Low level slide under most furniture
6. Height adjustable with tilt feature
7. Good reviews on being very sturdy

Cons:

1. No wheels for moving about
2. No rail lips so may be a hazard for sliding items
3. lockable wheel nuts for adjusting which may come loose over time.

Which ever table you choose to buy in looking for your best table for your recliner chair user; my list of considerations for suitability have come from my own experiences. I do hope however, that you have found my recommendations helpful to you.

Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive Disease and found that it is more economical and practical to ‘future proof’. When buying a new product, it is best to buy something that can be adapted and used for the long term rather than having to replace over time. Speaking to your professional team, particularly Parkinson’s Nurse or OT can be a really useful move before a purchase as they can often advise and in some cases provide some items such as tables free.

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