5 Things You Need to Know When Buying a Wheelchair
People with temporary or permanent disabilities need a wheelchair prescription.
For example, a paraplegic who has no feeling in their legs may need a wheelchair for the rest of their life.
A good wheelchair will increase the quality of their life by giving them comfort, freedom, and making moving feel seamless.
The type of wheelchair to use is based on individual need
Examples of those who need a wheelchair are those with broken feet, paralysis, neurological issues, musculoskeletal issues, and balance problems among others.
How to choose a wheelchair
Your doctor will help decide on the wheelchair that is best for you.
Your wheelchair needs to properly include all necessary features like your physical condition, body size, age, mobility, budget, home environment, lifestyle, and personal preference.
Types Of Wheelchairs
There are 2 types of wheelchairs, we have the manual and the electric wheelchairs.
Electrical wheelchairs are more expensive than manual wheelchairs
Manual wheelchairs are self-propelled so the user must be able to operate them.
They also have push handles that allow someone else to push the users around.
Electric wheelchairs are easier to use and can be used without assistance.
If you want to buy an electric wheelchair, you should consider the following:
Ease of use: the controls must be easily accessible and responsive
Safety: check whether the electric wheelchair has the right safety measures.
Battery capacity: the battery should be efficient enough to meet your daily needs.
Things to look out for in a wheelchair:
Arm and Footrests
Arm and foot years should provide adequate support.
The wheelchairs should be strong enough to support your movement.
Ensure you check the size and flexibility too
Wheelchair Size
Your wheelchair should be a perfect size so that sitting and moving can be an easy task.
Check the dimensions of the chair and compare them against your weight and height.
Back Support
Your wheelchair should provide adequate back support to make you comfortable.
In some wheelchairs, you can tilt the back support which allows you to switch between different positions.
Your doctor will recommend a particular type of back support depending on your condition.
That’s why it is important to consult your doctor beforehand if you have severe medical
Wheels
If you are going to be using your wheelchair outdoors, you need to make sure the wheels are strong enough to withstand outdoor terrain
The grip of the wheels is also important especially if you have a wet environment.
A good wheelchair should meet your medical needs, make you comfortable and give you freedom.
Strength and Durability
Your wheelchair must be strong enough, so it does not suffer sudden failure.
Those used outdoors are subjected to greater wear and tear than those used indoors or on smooth paths.
So, the wheelchair should be built to have the longest useful life as that will require few repairs.
In case of repairs, replacement parts should be available within the user’s locality.
