How To Choose The Best Wheelchair

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Wheelchairs are a blessing for individuals with impairments due to injury or other medical problems. Investing in a wheelchair is value for money as they help people move from one place to another and give them the feeling of independence. Despite its amazing benefits, it is important to choose the best wheelchair for yourself or your loved ones.

There is a wide range of wheelchairs with different styles and features. Generally, people don’t know about wheelchairs and have no idea which type of wheelchair will best fit their needs if you’re also one of those people.

Then don’t worry because we have your back. Here we tell you about the wheelchair buying process. What should you look into a wheelchair before buying? Our team of experts develops the important aspects to adopt while choosing the chair. Let’s get into it.

1- Assess Your Needs and Abilities

Before looking into the wheelchair’s functions and features, it is necessary to determine your needs. Assess the following things to find what kind of wheelchair can best fit you exactly.

Where do you want to use the wheelchair (indoor or outdoor)?
Determines health conditions like how strong the rider is.
Does the rider have enough strength in his upper muscles?
How long do you want to use it?
Look at your lifestyle and activities.
Measure your body size and weight

.By discovering this, you can decide which type of wheelchair will fulfill your requirements, whether you need a manual or electric wheelchair.

2- Choose the Types of Wheelchair

There are two main types of wheelchairs available in the market; manual and electric wheelchairs. These types are further categorized based on their features and uses. Each one is loaded with different features and designed for various purposes. So, the first thing is to decide the best type of wheelchair.

The choice should be based on your personal needs and lifestyle instead of what features a wheelchair provides. Select the one that has all the necessary elements to fulfill your needs. Below we will list the types of wheelchairs available in the market.

Manual Wheelchair

A manual wheelchair is a type of chair that needs physical force to move from one place to another. So, it is propelled by the rider or pushed by the caretaker.

They are very light in weight because of the absence of a heavy motor. They are usually good indoor mobility. They are way cheaper than electric wheelchairs.

Further, you can choose a folding and non-folding manual wheelchair. If you have to travel often, then it is good to buy a folding wheelchair because it can easily fold into a compact shape to fit in tight spaces such as a car trunk.

The main categories of manual wheelchairs are;

Standard Manual Wheelchair
Lightweight Manual Wheelchair
Sports Manual Wheelchair
Transit Wheelchair

Although manual wheelchair consistently needs physical strength to move, it makes them difficult to use while going uphill or on rough terrain. So, decide where you want to use it.

Power Wheelchair

Power wheelchairs are primarily operated with a motor. The batteries supply energy to the motor, which produces motion in the chair. They are the best option for those with weak upper limbs.

Because they can easily operate with the Joystick or controller with the help of the hand, unlike the manual wheelchair, electric wheelchairs don’t require any kind of physical force. Moreover, they give more freedom to the rider.

Like manual wheelchairs, power wheelchairs also design for folding. They can easily fold for placing in tight spaces.

Power wheelchairs are categorized as follows;

Rear-Wheel Drive Power Wheelchair
Mid-Wheel Drive Power Wheelchair
Front-Wheel Drive Power Wheelchair
Stand-up Wheelchair

Power wheelchair equipped with powerful batteries for operating it for a long time. You can also use them on rough terrain or incline paths. Moreover, some models allow you to visit nearby markets or parks.

3- Consider the Features of a Wheelchair

As discussed earlier, all wheelchair models come with different features and accessories. These features are helpful and make the wheelchair ride more enjoyable. Some essential elements of a wheelchair are given below.

Seat and Backrest: The seat quality must be checked wisely because you must sit on it long. If the seat material is of low quality, it can lead to an ulcer.

So, carefully choose the material used in the seat which is good for a long time sitting. Also, find out backrest features for extra comfort and luxury.

Footrests and Leg Supports: Wheelchair users spend most of their time on them. So, features like footrests and leg support help them spend a long time without getting tired. Swingaway footrests and elevating or articulated leg rests are some options in wheelchairs.
Armrests: Like footrests, armrest features help rest the arms more comfortably. The wheelchair comes with adjustable and flick-back armrests.
Brakes and Anti-Tippers: A wheelchair is a mobility solution like any other device. Having breaks and anti-tippers helps you control it to avoid injury or accident. Check for these things to get more control of your mobility aid.
Wheels: The chair’s wheels are most prone to the terrain because they are directly in contact with the ground. Further, they will bear the overall weight. So, choose high-quality wheels if you use a wheelchair, mostly outdoors. Also, get tires to require less maintenance and must have a good grip on the ground.
Battery Type: For electric wheelchairs, batteries matter more than any things because the practicality of a motorized wheelchair depends on them. Analyze their type, timing, and overall battery life.

4- Analyze Material Quality

The quality of the material used in the manufacturing of the wheelchair tells how long it will last. Wisely choose the best wheelchair if you want it to live long. The most common type of materials used in the frame are;

Steel
Aluminum
Titanium
Carbon Fibre

The material also determines the overall weight of the chair. Steel wheelchairs are heavy-weight but more sturdy and resistant, while aluminum chairs are lightweight and ideal for transportation.

5- Try Out the Wheelchair

Trying out a wheelchair is the best practice before paying for a wheelchair.

It will help you test whether it fits well and how comfortable you feel sitting on it. Because you will use it daily, and if you end up buying a wheelchair that never gives you comfort, you have to deal with it in the future.

Moreover, evaluate the maneuverability of the chair. Check out how easily you can move it at your home. Meanwhile, check out the stability and safety of the chair. How safe do you feel while riding on it?

Testing out the wheelchair will help you find the wheelchair that is comfortable, easily maneuverable, safe, and secure for the riders.

6- Check the Warranty and Service

Manufacturer’s Warranty:

The chair comes up with a warranty. The wheelchair warranty differs from one company to another. Some give one year warranty, and others have two to three years. So, ask the dealer about its warranty.

Service and Support:

Another thing to ask from the seller is the service and support for the wheelchair. Do they offer any kind of wheelchair service support? It will help you to get the wheelchair service from the dealer free of cost.

Maintenance and Repair:

Maintenance and repair are essential for the smooth working of the wheelchair. Look how easy it is to maintain and repair the wheelchair for proper functioning.

7- Determine the Cost

You must need to determine the cost of the wheelchair. Is the product value for money? The cost of the wheelchair should be according to its features, quality of the material, etc.

8- Final Decision and Purchase

Now it’s time to make the final decision and pay the wheelchair price. If you struggle to make the last decision, you can do the following things.

Compare Different Models and Options

We often need clarification on multiple choices, making it difficult to select the final product. In such a situation, comparing things helps us decide the best fit for ourselves. You can compare different models and options to find the last wheelchair you want to purchase easily.

Consult with Healthcare Professionals and Wheelchair Experts

If you are still confused and can’t help deciding on the final wheelchair. Then you can consult with healthcare professionals and wheelchair experts and discuss your budget, lifestyle, and needs. They can help you choose the best wheelchair according to your requirements.

Bottom Line

The wheelchair is a good mobility device for people with limited mobility. Choosing a good wheelchair becomes difficult, but this is how you can select the best wheelchair for yourself or your loved ones like choosing the type of wheelchair, its features, material quality, checking for warranty, and considering its cost according to the quality of the wheelchair.