Wheelchair Accessories The best way to make your lift comfortable in a wheelchair
Wheelchairs have accessories that come with them and you will get to know about them if you are a regular user of this device that aids the mobility of people. If you are aware, then you have to read what we have here to be sure of your knowledge about wheelchair accessories. We shall discuss wheelchair accessories that you need to know. How can you make use of them? You cannot make full use of the accessories until you read our expert tips, because we have left no stone unturned to have you well educated.
The history of the wheelchair cannot be complete without talking about the sensitization that has become part and parcel of its storyline. It has a humble beginning with the wheelbarrow technology that is used in the transport of goods and humans; the journey has gotten to the stage of automated wheelchairs. The paralyzed will climb stairs with the help of an automated wheelchair.
There is loads of information on the use of a wheelchair that you will get online. There is great emphasis on the accessories that come with the wheelchair that any user can read to get extra info on how to exploit the use of the wheelchair. I have seen the smiles on the faces of the disabled, moving with confidence and dignity inside the comfort provided by the technology of a smart wheelchair.
What are the Types of Wheelchair Accessories?
Here are some popular types of accessories:
Safety Accessories
While in a wheelchair, safety accessories will protect you from any type of accident. Accidents will happen when you least expect them. This is why safety accessories are put in place to protect riders from the unexpected. The accessories will hold the wheelchair while you are riding and it will keep your body secured on the wheelchair. Examples of these accessories include wheelchair L track, wheelchair straps, wheelchair tie-downs, and wheelchair restraints.
Accessory storage
I remember when we were shopping online for the right wheelchair for the son of a friend that was born with disabled limbs. I pointed to a very beautiful design, but my friend insisted that he needed something with storage accessories that would take care of snacks, books, and writing materials. Examples of storage accessories are wheelchair backpacks and wheelchair bags.
Productivity Accessories
The productivity accessories, according to the name, will make the disabled user useful while sitting in the wheelchair. The wheelchair tray will allow the user to make use of his computer and even note down hard copies using wiring materials without the presence of a writing table. It will be possible to take your favorite cup of coffee while you are working. The inclusion of a wheelchair cup holder accessory will make this possible.
13 Wheelchair Accessories That Will Make Your Life Easier
1. Seat Cushion
I was in a discussion forum with a group of friends early this year and the discussion was on smart technologies in the modern-day wheelchair. The negative impact of scoliosis on the disabled has been well analyzed. I was well educated on the need for seat cushions that were designed by experienced experts.
If you want to get the most comfort while in a wheelchair, then the seat cushion should be included in the accessory. There are other benefits that you will get from the seat cushion aside from comfort. These include:
- Enhancing your posture
- Improvements in sitting balance
- Reduction of fatigue
- Precautions for pressure ulcers
There are many models online. When you know your requirements, it will be easy to shop for the right seat cushion among the varieties that are available online. Two of the most common models online are gel and air cushions, and foam cushions.
2. Back cushion
Seating can be uncomfortable for the disabled. The lumber curve must be well taken care of by distributing the pressure on that region of the body. This can be achieved through the use of back cushions that are designed to make seating lessen fatigue and moreen comfort. Several options are available on the market that will give your lumber curve the comfort required when you are in your wheelchair.
You will need the back cushion to sit for long hours and still maintain excellent body posture. If you have poor balance, you are going to find it difficult to sit for long hours in the wheelchair, and you will thus need the back cushion.
If you are having issues with back pain and you are not using the back cushion, then you must take action to correct the problem. Get in touch with a medical expert and he will prescribe the ideal back cushion that will take care of your lumber curve.
3. Wheelchair Safety Belt
The safety belt is another important accessory that must be included in the wheelchair. I saw an accident scene involving a disabled person; the safety belt was the saving grace for the victim. Imagine fastening your safety before you set the wheelchair in motion when leaving home in your wheelchair. Though you are not under law to fasten your belt while in a wheelchair, it is in your best interest for safety reasons if you do that.
For safety reasons, I know a wheelchair user with good body balance that is in the habit of wearing his safety belt whenever he is in his wheelchair. Your situation cannot be different. When you are navigating rough terrain or using a ramp that has a poor gradient, you need a safety belt to overcome preventable accidents.
4. Wheelchair gloves
While in the wheelchair, your hands are the most active part of your body. This is the reason you must protect it by putting on gloves while you roll the wheels on the floor. If you want to travel long distances, you must make use of gloves because they will protect you from calluses and blisters on your palms.
A friend of mine argued that the only occasion where the user will not need gloves is if the distance, they want to travel is short. He is an expert in the field and he went on to state that wheelchair users will not need the gloves if they are power wheelchairs. I agree with his expert submissions.
However, if you use a wheelchair frequently, you simply cannot do without the protection that wheelchair gloves provide.
5. Wheelchair Backpack
The wheelchair backpack is required to ease the problem in your laps, but when you keep items in your laps and move along rough terrain, what you have in your laps will slip off and get ruined. With a wheelchair backpack, you won't have to struggle with the items you bring with you in the wheelchair. Buy this accessory and attach it to your backrest. You are free to roam about with ease.
The backpack will not serve you the expected purpose if your hands cannot move back to pick up items from the backrest and put them back there. Your torso must be flexible and able to move 900 degrees left or right. You must get someone to do this for you if you are not able to move your hands with ease.
I can tell you from personal experience that you will also need crutches or cane holders. When you attach them to your wheelchair’s back, it can carry your cane or foldable crutches along with you.
6. Wheelchair Table Tray
Another accessory that you need to achieve confidence in the wheelchair is the table tray. I suggested this to a friend of mine who noticed the struggle his boy is going through in school. It is a lightweight technology that can be attached to the armrest without adding much weight.
It must have a work or study table. It is great for students who have inaccessible seats in school. My friend’s kid was excited when this accessory was included in his power wheelchair and he can now put his books and laptop on it while reading.
When you include a glass or bottle holder, you will turn the table tray into a multi-purpose accessory. You can use it for studying, working and eating. You will move with more confidence with the items in the table tray.
7. Portable Ramp
If the remodeling of your home or office is not possible, then you need a portable ramp to make life easier while you are in a wheelchair. Experience among wheelchair users has shown that they will have problems getting into spaces that have 2-4 steps that cannot be built into a ramp.
Go for a lightweight model because they are easy to carry about and are easy to fold after use. My colleague in the office was very happy with the output of this small accessory. It has opened doors of opportunity to him. It will also open doors of opportunity for you and provide you with a healthy diversity if you include it in your accessories.
Make sure you carry out deep research before you pick on any of the online models. They come in different varieties and sizes. There are differences in prices. You will get quality with $1000 and above. If you carry out a price comparison, you will get something at a lower price.
8. Transfer Board
The transfer board is not needed by every wheelchair user. But, if you are on the heavier side and you cannot transfer yourself from your wheelchair, then this is a must-have accessory for you. The inclusion of this board is intended to ease the caregiver's burden.
It is a reliable bridge between the two surfaces that one can use to transfer oneself from one surface to the other without bordering the caregiver. The help required when you use the transfer board will not be heavy on the caregiver.
The list of accessories above will not be all-inclusive. If you feel we can be of help in any other area, then feel free to contact us in our comments section. We will provide you with useful information.
9. Aids to Learning
When you remove your hands from the rims of the wheelchair when climbing an incline, you will move backward. This is why you must include the grade aids before you attempt climbing an incline on your wheelchair; it will prevent backward movement.
These devices, attached to the wheel locks of manual wheelchairs, will prevent the wheelchair from rolling backward. You are going to appreciate this technology when you are propelling slopes or climbing ramps.
10. Accu-Grips
I remember the case of a disabled colleague who has short-sightedness and who cannot maintain a firm grip with his hands. When the requirements for accessories needed for his wheelchair were mentioned, the Accu-Grip was included.
Accu-Grips are needed to give wheelchair users a brighter target and a bigger means of locating the brakes on their wheelchair.
11. Oxygen Bag Holder
The oxygen bag holder is a must-have inclusion in your wheelchair if you want to breathe without stress. Breath is important to live, and this is the reason why you must include this technology in your budget if you want the best.
There are portable oxygen holders that you can move along with your wheelchair. It will allow wheelchair users to perform at their peak performance while in their wheelchair.
12. The Phone Mount
If you want to secure your phone while you are gliding in your wheelchair, then you must invest in a phone mount. If you want to access your phone hands-free, then you will need a Tecla Phone Mount. This device will allow you to mount your mobile on your wheelchair, bed, or working table while accessing it hands-free. Those that have the challenge of limited upper-body mobility can keep their mobile phones handy with a phone mount.
You should attach the fastener to a hard case shell instead of your phone. There is an industrial-grade Dual-Lock fastener that holds your phone in place.
13. Light-Up Casters
You can also invest in light-up clusters that will add personality to every turn of your wheel. The wheels will appear in beautiful colors. Your seat will be easy to see in the dark and this will add safety measures to your movement.
Bottom Line
The bottom line is the mentioned accessories will make your user experience a rewarding one. However, you need to choose the right wheelchair for you. So, be wise and select the best wheelchair accessories for you.
