How to Choose the Best Wheelchair for You
Buying a wheelchair is considered a significant decision. On other occasions, some people might equate the purchase of this device to buying a car. Note that this is a device that you will use on a daily basis to take you from one point to another depending on your needs and personal preferences.
Currently, wheelchairs are no longer in one size that fits everyone. There are numerous sorts of wheelchairs available on the market depending on your special needs and preferences. They are available in various shapes, designs, sizes, and features. This means that the type of wheelchair you choose has a significant impact on your level of comfort, mobility, and overall user satisfaction.
This article provides you with simple guidelines necessary when purchasing a wheelchair. However, before we dive into discussing specific features, it is vital to evaluate where, how, and how often the wheelchair will be used.
Do You Really Need a Wheelchair?
If you cannot walk without assistance, or you can only make a couple of steps before you call for help, then you need to acquire a wheelchair. Also, when you cannot walk for a long distance, even if you are getting the assistance, you require a wheelchair.
When you cannot walk independently and feel that you can benefit from a wheelchair, you need to visit a specialist to discuss your mobility limitations before you acquire a wheelchair. The doctor will evaluate your condition and recommend a better wheelchair that will serve you better.
How Much Time Would Require for Wheelchair Use?
It is vital to keep in mind that not everyone who has a wheelchair uses it every time. You might consider the device as a supplementary means of transport that you will be using once in a while when necessary.
Individuals who consider a wheelchair their primary mode of transport have different considerations compared to those who use it once in a while. Individuals who spend majority of their time on a wheelchair require a chair with features beyond the standard inclusions.
Do you intend to use your wheelchair on a full-time basis or only at specific times? Also, are you going to use the wheelchair for some time, or is it meant for permanent use? Considering the two questions above will significantly help you make a prudent decision whenever you think of purchasing one.
When you intend to use the mobility device for a short time, getting a simple, manual wheelchair is the best decision. When using the wheelchair permanently, consider going for a wheelchair with a better design and more support options, customized fit, and skin protection.
If you intend to acquire a wheelchair for a short time and you believe you have someone to push you, then a standard manual wheelchair or even a transport chair is the best fit. Note that these are the most cost-effective mobility tools available on the market.
Note that the smaller and narrow wheelchairs than the standard ones have small wheels, thus easier to navigate and control for the attendants and the caregivers. This is because they cannot be controlled by the rider. Transport chairs are the best only if you intend to use them for a short while. They are used mainly during injury recovery, post-up, or used together with manual wheelchairs.
The typical manual wheelchair offers exceptional mobility services when being used both on a long-term and short-term basis. They are also suitable for users who have retained the upper body strength and can easily propel themselves. The power or electric wheelchairs are ideal for use by the users who have injuries, illness, disability, or other conditions that hinder self-propulsion.
However, the electric wheelchairs are mostly recommended for long-term use. They are often roomier and comes with numerous positioning supports compared to the manual wheelchairs. For the elderly and individuals with degenerative conditions, the electric wheelchair is the most recommended since it does not call for a lot of strength to move.
This type of wheelchair is also larger and heavier when compared to the typical manual wheelchairs. The electric wheelchairs currently on the market can be easily folded into different components, making them easier to transport within a vehicle.
The ergonomic and customized wheelchairs come in an array of designs and sizes to make extended sitting more comfortable. It comes with an ample sitting space, and an adjustable height, comfortable armrests, footrests, making you more comfortable. If you intend to acquire an electric wheelchair to use on a long-term basis, ensure you choose one with a good battery.
Also, choose an electric wheelchair that has a backup battery to ensure that you have a constant supply of power whenever you need it. Various wheelchairs, primarily those meant for kids, come with numerous accessories that enhance adjustments and modifications for the user to be comfortable. This makes them the most effective and cost-effective option that will serve you better.
How Would You Use a Wheelchair?
There are a variety of reasons associated with why one needs a wheelchair. Some people need a wheelchair occasionally, permanently, or even temporarily. The way you use the wheelchair will significantly impact your mindset. Always consider the questions below when it comes to using a wheelchair:
- Does the wheelchair support your physical or medical condition?
- Where do you need the wheelchair on most occasions?
- What kind of terrains can the wheelchair be used in?
- Who will use it frequently, and how much time are you going to spend on it?
- Is the wheelchair easy to transport?
By asking and evaluating the questions above on your own, you will get a better answer about what you are looking for.
What is the Lifecycle of a Wheelchair?
Analysis has shown that a well-maintained wheelchair has a lifespan of a maximum of three years. Besides, a manual wheelchair can serve you for up to five years. Note that the more you use a wheelchair, the more you shorten its lifespan. This is because the wheelchair is subjected to wear and tear every time it is in use.
You might realize that your mobility requires some sort of change after a specified duration. This indicates that you will need to upgrade the mobility device to fit the new level of comfort that you deserve.
Before you acquire a mobility device, always evaluate yourself to see how frequently you will be using it. You will easily identify the type of wheelchair you deserve that suits your preference and condition by assessing yourself.
How Do You Choose the Best Wheelchair?
Whether you intend to use the wheelchair for a short time or a long time, it should have the greatest autonomy ever. The mobility device is meant to aid those individuals who have reduced mobility and help them move faster even within confined spaces once they have a great understanding of the mobility device they use. Since the devices are equipped with foldable backrests and quick-released wheels, they can easily fit in the trunk of a car.
Other forms of wheelchairs are referred to as passive which are pushed by the third party. This type of wheelchairs is mainly meant for disabled individuals who do not have the strength to push themselves. These wheelchairs are easily foldable and can be easily dismantled.
Is it Manual or Electric?
the electric wheelchairs are more comfortable and require very little to zero strength from the user. The wheelchair allows it user to make very tight turns and they can easily avoid obstacle like entry threshold. Due to high technology used to manufacture the wheelchair, it is light in weight, with a solid structure and can be easily dismantled.
Sometimes, they can come with an extra better to enhance regular power supply to allow long travel for up to 20km. The control section of the wheelchair can be either placed on the left or the right side of the armrest according to user preference. The switch used to power on and off is easily accessible by anyone, just like the speed adjuster.
Manual wheelchairs are good for people who still have strength on the upper part of their body. At some point, they might require measurements to get the best fit.
The Usability
What is the level of comfort required? If an individual has reduced levels of mobility and uses a wheelchair on most occasions, then they require a chair that is more comfortable to suit their needs. However, if the wheelchair is only used to transport an individual from home to the car, then the chair does not require many accessories.
What about the Indoor or Outdoor Maneuverability?
Even though there are various wheelchairs meant to be used both indoors and outdoors, others are meant for specific use. For instance, there is the shower wheelchair which is only used in the shower room and toilet.
Despite the wheelchair being used indoors or outdoors, handling it is very important aspect. Note that when the wheelchair has very small front wheels, it has better maneuverability indoors and vise vasa.
And the Accessory Options
Many accessories are integrated on the device depending on the user preference. Some of these accessories include the seat cover, the armrest, footrest, among others.
How Much Special a Wheelchair Can Be?
The life of an individual suffering from reduced mobility is full of headwinds that the wheelchair can solve.
Stand-up Wheelchairs: they aid individuals who lack the capability to stand straight and breathe properly. They also help to maintain cardiovascular balance and urinary transit. By helping individuals to stand upright, they are able to reach things on shelves among others.
Stair-climbing Wheelchairs: at fast when this type of wheelchair was invented, many people considered it a small revolution. However, it has greatly helped to eliminate a major obstacle for people with reduced mobility.
AI-based Wheelchairs: Even though this type of wheelchairs is already out, most of them are still under the research stage. They are developed in a manner that they work according to the level of disability an individual is suffering from. They have the ability to respond to commands or blinking eyes. The wheelchair is trained by saying the exact name of the destinations where it will be used.
It then saves the information to be able to transport the user to the destination the next time the name is mentioned. Some wheelchairs have intelligent systems that have the capabilities to sense and avoid obstacles. They a have a special navigation algorithm that enables the wheelchair to slow down when necessary or even stop at some point.
How to Determine the Perfect Size?
The perfect size of the wheelchair you require depends on the width of the seat that you will require. Note that the width of the seat is used to determine other essential features such as the size of the wheels, the layout of the device, and other secondary features. The width of the seat usually ranges from 16 to 20 inches, with an average of 18 inches.
Also, consider the depth of the seat since it has an overall impact on the level of comfort portrayed by the mobility device. The seat depth is the length between the front edge and the back of the seat. Remember that the distance should be measured when the user is seated on the chair straight. ‘
The size of the seat can determine the general size of the wheelchair. It also affects the device's navigation, thus affecting the level of comfort and general performance of the mobility device. This indicates that you should always be keen on the seat size to avoid further inconveniences when choosing a wheelchair.
Bottom Line
If you have come to this point, you know how to choose the best wheelchair for you. It is about selecting the best chair for your needs. So, use our advice and get the perfect one for your regular use.
