The Benefits Of Using Portable Wheelchairs A quick review!

The Benefits Of Using Portable Wheelchairs A quick review!

• Sep 26, 2021
• 3 Comments

Are you a wheelchair user? Or maybe you have a family member who uses one! According to a 2020 US census report, more than 5.5 million Americans use wheelchairs. Whether it is due to advanced age or medical complications, people need wheelchairs for a variety of reasons. If you are thinking about buying one, there are many things to consider. These include details like who will be using the wheelchair, how long will the wheelchair be needed, and which type of chair would be suitable. While most people know there is a difference between manual and electric wheelchairs, they tend to overlook the finer details such as seat size, the weight of the chair, and arm and leg rest. There is also storage and portability to consider. If by now you are feeling stranded on where to find this information, then worry no more. This review article can help you deal with that. It is not exactly clear when the wheelchair was invented. They have existed in some form since the 1600s. However, it was not until the 1930s that mass production began. This was made possible by the efforts of two mechanical engineers: Harry Jennings, Sr., and Herbert Everest. Due to Everest’s condition as a paraplegic, the need arose to help him become more mobile. The pair went on to design the wheelchair we know today. Of all the previous wheelchair models, theirs was the first portable one. While it was able to fit in a car, it was heavy and bulky. Luckily, for those with mobility limitations, technology is improving every day. Thanks to new assistive technology, senior citizens and those with short-term or long-term mobility challenges can now enjoy more independence than they did before. One of these technological innovations is the manual portable wheelchair. This wheelchair allows patients with mobility issues and senior citizens to carry out their daily activities in a much easier manner. It also gives them great enthusiasm to be active participants in their respective communities. Now, let us talk more about portable wheelchairs.

What is the Ideal Weight of a Portable Wheelchair?

On average, a manual portable wheelchair can weigh between twenty-five and forty pounds. There is also the ultra-portable wheelchair, which is even lighter, weighing between fifteen and eighteen pounds. They weigh less because they are made from aluminum. This is different from the heavier ones, which are made of steel.

What is the Typical Price of a Portable Wheelchair? 

This depends on the features of the wheelchair. Because a portable wheelchair can be folded, it is much cheaper than other chairs. The price is also determined by the materials used to make the chair. So, the price can be anywhere from the lower end of $150 to the higher end of $3,500.

Who Could Use a Portable Wheelchair Better?

Portable wheelchairs are perfect for senior citizens. They are also ideal for you if walking a long distance is a problem for you. You can also use them if you have a temporary injury, or if you can use your limbs in some form. They work best for users who can push their chairs without assistance from anyone else. With that in mind, it is important to note that portable wheelchairs are not intended for use for long periods. Thus, they are not recommended for full-time wheelchair users. They should also not be used by people who weigh more than two hundred and fifty pounds.

The Benefits of Using a Portable Wheelchair 

Portable chairs were designed to make it easier for the user to move around as they go about their daily life. It is a great advantage that it is foldable, which makes it so much easier to use. With the constant changes in technology, portable chair technology keeps getting refined. Manufacturing companies keep improving on the existing designs based on their customers’ needs. Portable chairs are also synonymous with transport chairs because a majority of the manual light and transport chairs available in the market are easily foldable. Some of them are even fitted with detachable parts. The convenience of portability is that you can travel with the chair to most places. It can fit in the trunk of your car, in storage space, or behind the driver seat of your car. The usability that is standard for this type of chair can simply not be matched by any other mobile technologies out there. Electric wheelchairs and power chairs are the only ones that are not portable. Most power chairs tend to be bulkier than manual ones. It is also rare for them to be foldable.

Ease of Transportability 

You have a lot of flexibility when traveling with a portable chair. Whether you choose to travel by car, by plane, or by bus, your chair can easily and quickly be folded. This assures you of a hassle-free trip. Portable chairs do not have a limit on the weight they can carry. They can be used to transport people with limited mobility for short distances, even if they are heavy. The chairs also have a collapsible frame, which makes the chair easy to carry around. This is also convenient for moving the chair up and down the stairs.

The Self-Propulsion Feature

Portable wheelchairs are easy to push because the chairs have large wheels at the back. This wheelchair is perfect for using to navigate tight spaces. It also reacts to a lighter touch, which means you do not need a lot of energy to push it.

Brings Independence and Self-esteem

Using a portable chair makes you more independent. The ability to throw this wheelchair into the car, or even use it in public transit (if you live along a bus route) can give you a sense of freedom. It can also open new doors for you, such as finding volunteer opportunities and meeting new people at social gatherings. Life is unpredictable, and there are many different reasons why you may find yourself needing to use a wheelchair permanently. However, you can still find ways to do things for yourself. You can use the tips below to guide you on your road to independence as a wheelchair user. Portable chairs can be adjusted to fit your specific needs. Some of the newest models of chairs come with optional accessories such as lap trays and drink holders. These accessories can easily be taken off and stored away when you are not using them. This durable chair will allow you to be more active with your family and friends.

Ease-to-store

One of the best conveniences of the compact portable chair is that it can easily be folded for storage in small spaces. This leaves your living space without much clutter. When you need to use your chair, retrieval is just as simple as storage.

Build Self-Esteem

When you can do things on your own, you grow your self-confidence. Let the ultra-Portable wheelchair help you participate in the activities that you love.

The Features of a Fine Portable Wheelchair

Portable wheelchairs contain many user-friendly and comfortable features. Before you buy, make sure that the chair contains the features that you want. These may include:

• Leg Rests:  There are two types: the articulated (the sitting one) and the elevated (they keep your feet raised to improve circulation).
• Arm Rests: These are usually available in desk-length or full-length sizes. If you plan to use your chair from a desk or a table, then the desk-length armrests will be perfect for you. You can test whether they are movable or fixed. In case you want to transfer to the bed or restroom, flappable armrests can come in handy.
• Cushion Comfort: Ensure that you ask about any extra padding for the leg rests and the seat. If you need your seating to be enhanced, you can have shock absorbers added to the frame.
• Wheels: For you to comfortably self-propel your power wheelchair, you will need to use large back wheels. If you have someone else pushing your chair, then you can use smaller wheels, which take some weight off the chair. The bigger wheels make it easier to turn the chair.
• Safety Features: If you are self-propelling, ensure that you have anti-tip guards. These will stop you from tipping your chair backward.

The Pros and Cons of Portable Wheelchairs

There is no doubt that wheelchair access in public buildings has improved. However, there will still be the occasional incident where a wheelchair user is unable to access a building. This is where portable wheelchairs come in handy. Despite the wide variety of wheelchairs available in the market, there are two types: single track and double-platform. There are also threshold wheelchairs, which are perfect for use at home. When you are trying to decide whether using a portable wheelchair is an option for you, both functionality and safety should be a priority. A good portable wheelchair should have the capacity to be used by both manual wheelchair users and power chair users. Walkers and scooters should not be left behind either. Despite the many kinds of portable wheelchairs, your unique circumstances will be the ones to determine the benefits of specific models. But even with that, there are still some general pros and cons you can keep in mind when shopping for your portable wheelchair.

The Pros

• A portable wheelchair is highly adaptable. With its design, you can use it both indoors and outdoors.
• A lot of wheelchair brands are designed to allow the chair to ‘telescope’ when it is folded. This technique makes sure that the wheelchair occupies less space in storage.
• Some wheelchairs have built-in handles and locking elements, which make the chair easier to fold.
• Some modern wheelchairs contain a material called Glass Reinforced Plastic, which is not only strong but considerably flexible as well.
• Some wheelchairs, especially the rubber threshold models, don’t need to be fastened down when being used for thresholds. These can rest on the door sill, making them the best for sliding doors. You can also trim them to fit the size you want.

The Cons

• If your chair is a channel-type wheelchair, your caregiver will need to set up, and later take down two wheelchairs. These chairs may be hard to operate.
• Portable chairs of low quality can be a safety hazard as they may have sharp edges. The welding may also be below the required standards.
• Channel or track wheelchairs may not be suitable for scooters or power chairs because of their weight.
• Some portable chairs are too heavy for senior citizens to carry.
• For the narrower portable models, the chair’s wheels can get stuck, which can be a major concern for the power chairs.

What is the Safest Way to Use a Portable Wheelchair?

Regardless of portable wheelchairs being convenient and easy to use, safety remains a top priority. Please take note of the following tips when using a wheelchair: Please don’t skip reading the manual! Even if you are experienced in how to use wheelchairs, spend some time reading the manual carefully. This will make you familiar with the wheelchair’s features, and show you the correct way to use them. When you are picking out a wheelchair, please ensure that it will be strong enough to accommodate the user, the chair, and the caregiver. Give yourself generous leeway to accept different caregivers. When you are using a portable wheelchair, even for a short time, you should check the wheelchair for wetness after every use. This is because, in damp conditions, water can accumulate quite fast on the surface, which may lead to accidents. You can minimize this risk by using wheelchairs with non-slip coverings. You can also use drainage holes or have non-slip strips fitted onto the wheelchair’s surface. If that is a problem for you, then you can find a model that can sit on the door sill, such as the rubber threshold ones.

Final Thoughts!

I hope the information in this review has been helpful to you. If you are thinking of buying a portable wheelchair soon, I hope that you now have a clue on where to begin your shopping.