Buying the right wheelchair can greatly improve the quality of life for those needing them. Becoming wheelchair-bound doesn’t mean you can’t do anything anymore or you can’t get around. On the contrary, it can actually help you in ways you might not have imagined without it. However, it’s crucial to your health and safety to choose the correct one for your needs.
Basic wheelchair |
Manual Wheelchairs
The most basic wheelchair is a manual wheelchair. This is the one with large wheels in the back which make it possible for the patient themselves to push around.
They are available in lightweight, which can be anywhere from 15 - 18 kg, which for a wheelchair is very light. (Standard manual wheelchairs can weigh up to 20 kg.) There are also extra wide wheelchairs as well as bariatric wheelchairs, which are heavier and bulkier but offer reliable stability and support for heavier weights.
Most manual chairs fold very nicely for easy storage, also making it easy to get in and out of a car or van. The leg rests come off very easily as well, making the wheelchair lighter and more compact when it’s folded.
In regards to the arms, you can either choose desk length arms or full arms. You may choose desk arms if the user wants to easily wheel the chair up to a table or desk. The shorter arms give it the capability to get closer to the table and have the user’s feet resting comfortably underneath it. This makes it easier for the patient to eat or work on a table. Full armrests, on the other hand, give the patient more room to rest their hands as well as something to hold onto when they are getting in and out of the chair.
Wheelchair leg rests come in swing away or elevating styles. The elevating leg rests are typically used if the patient wants to pick their feet up while sitting in the chair. The swing away leg rests move to the side of the chair making it easier for the patient to get in and out. You may want to consider a reclining wheelchair which has a reclining back so the user can lean back comfortably.
Transport Wheelchairs
Reclining Wheelchair |
Some transport chairs come with hand brakes so the caregiver
can lock them, while others are designed with the brake on the wheels so the patient themselves can easily lock the chair wheels. Transport wheelchairs also fold very easily making it a pleasure to get in and out of a car or van.
Electric Wheelchairs & Scooters
power wheelchairs |
Other wheelchair options include power wheelchairs and medical scooters. These are used for patients that have the ability to drive themselves and want independence without physical exertion. They can be used indoors or outdoors for lots of different functions. It makes it easier to get around outdoors on longer outings being that you can just drive around wherever you are going. A motorized wheelchair typically has the same functions however it looks and feels like a power scooter can be used to go shopping or for any outing for that matter. They usually come with a basket in the front to place your belongings. These scooters either come with 3 wheels or 4 wheels. Some come with the seat that swings around making it easier to get in and out. wheelchair, just that it is motorized. A