Wheel Chair Consumer Purchasing Guide
Purchasing a wheel chair can be a struggle. This article will help help in the purchase of a wheel chair by answering commonly asked. Follow this informational guide will certainly make your wheel chair buying experience more effortless as well as enlightening. Before you buy a wheel chair ask yourself check more.
What type of chair do i need?
Two types of Manual Wheel Chairs exist: Standard Wheel Chairs and Transport Wheel Chairs. Standard wheel chairs are usually self managed by the wheel chair user, they also can be pushed by a loved one or asst. Distinguishable features of standard wheel chairs are they often have two small ‘caster’ wheels in front followed two large wheels in the back. Transport wheel chairs are slightly different. Transport wheel chairs cannot be self managed by the user only, meaning the user can not turn the wheels regarding his arms. In order to propel Transport wheel chairs an individual needs to be pushed by a asst or loved one. As far as description, Transport wheel chairs look unique of a standard wheel chair, all wheels with them are smaller similar to ‘caster’ wheels that are located on the front of a standard wheel chair.
What arm-rest types are available?
Armrests are there to provide support for an persons arms and shoulder muscles. Armrests are available in two program plans Full Length and Desk Length. Desk Length armrests are shorter and invite individual to move in closer to desk, table’s, tables & etc. Full length armrest as the name implies are full length.
There are many different combination types of armrest but the standards types are: Fixed, Adjustable, Completely removable, and Flip-Back. Fixed armrests do not adjust, they also cannot be removed. Adjustable armrests are adjustable to varying height for different comfort levels. Completely removable and Flip-Back armrests can be taking off or switched backed as the name suggest, in order to allow the individual to easily get in and out his/her wheel chair in order to allow for easy transfer of an individual in a wheel chair
What type of Footrests or Legrests do i need?
For leg support Footrests and Legrests are the two types of support available. Legrests can raise and usually has a Calf Pad attached to it. This function allows an individual to increase and lower their legs, a locking feature allows for the individual to lock the legrests in a comfortable level position. Footrests on the other hand, gives leg support in a seated position and also do not raise. Both legrest can have a Swing-Away option. The Swing-Away options allows for the legrest to be moved out of the way from their natural position in front of the wheel chair, aside of the chair; allowing you for a clear way to the seat of the wheel chair.
These cover most of the basic aspects which go into buying a wheel chair. Hopefully this information will aid someone in making a more informed wheelchair purchase. And hopefully save lots of time and effort in buying the best wheel chair that fits your need. Good luck and I hope your wheel chair purchasing situation is a great one.
How much does a wheel chair weigh?
When buying a wheel chair you will see term such as “light weight wheel chair. inch These are not to be overlooked; a lighter wheel chair can make the workload of a user or companion easier. An example, a wheel chair weighing 20 pounds will be safer to push than the usual 40 pound chair, if a wheel chair must be place in the shoe of a car or removed up stairs, a 20 pound differential helps you to save a lot of time and effort. People have different needs, comfort levels and budgets, so choose a chair weight which better fits your own circumstances while remembering that lighter weight wheel chair are usually safer to work.