A wheelchair is a reward for the user who cannot stand independently on their own two feet. It is a mobility management strategy used to transfer clients who cannot walk due to illness, injury, or disability. A wheelchair makes it possible for someone uncertain about their capacity to move freely and anywhere.
There is no longer a universal wheelchair size. Wheelchairs come in a wide variety of styles today. They come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and styles with features that can be customized.
Your level of comfort, ease of movement, and general contentment with your purchase can all be significantly influenced by the options you select.
So what factors must you take into account while buying a new wheelchair? Let’s explore.
What Will You Do With The Wheelchair?
According to Physopedia, there are several scenarios where a wheelchair may be necessary. You might require it regularly, intermittently, or indefinitely. Your choice will be highly influenced by how you use it. Think about the following concerns regarding wheelchair usage:
- Who will utilize it frequently? How long will you work on it?
- How is the wheelchair going to be moved? Is it necessary to fold it?
- Where will it be used—the terrain of what kind? Sidewalks? Ramps? Outdoors?
- Will a wheelchair support you with a physical or medical condition?
You will better understand what you are searching for and the various solutions to examine if you ask these questions.
Wheelchair Advantages
Providing suitable wheelchairs improves mobility and starts the process of opening up a world of social, professional, and educational opportunities. In addition to improving mobility, the right wheelchair helps users maintain their physical health and quality of life by preventing common diseases or issues, including pressure sores, the progression of deformities, and deteriorating breathing and digestion.
If you have been able to function without using a wheelchair but are now considering doing so due to your failing physical state, you need to grasp the value of a wheelchair.
You must first realize that a wheelchair is a tool designed to make your life easier. A wheelchair may be viewed as a representation of disability, but it never actually renders a person disabled.
Self-Assessment Questions for Choosing a New Wheelchair
It is crucial to select the ideal wheelchair for you and your specific demands if you depend on it to help you move around independently. The first wheelchair you buy may not be the one you use for the rest of your life because you don’t know what truly suits you until you’ve spent a lot of time in a chair.
Before evaluating various wheelchair solutions on the market, there are a few questions you should ask yourself. By asking yourself these questions, you may reduce your selections and find the wheelchair that best suits your requirements.
- With your present self-propelled chair, how are you doing?
It’s wise to ask yourself this question every time you buy a new chair. If you’re not experiencing any issues, you can continue browsing additional self-propelled chairs. However, why not consider motorized wheelchairs this time if you’re starting to struggle or believe it might be difficult to use in the coming years?
- Where do you intend to use your wheelchair?
Before buying a wheelchair, you must be aware of your needs. Additionally, it might require additional safety features like seat belts and anti-slip wheels. Wheelchairs for the house function might need to be compact for tight doorways.
- Are there any aspects of your life that are extremely important?
As we briefly discussed before, it would be best if you also took some time to consider what is truly essential to you. For instance, you likely value portability if you frequently travel by car. Therefore, lightweight retractable wheelchairs might be your best option.
- For how long do you want to use this chair?
Although asking it can seem odd, the response will impact your subsequent choices. For instance, if you want to use this wheelchair for an extended time, you might have a larger budget. You’ll also want to ensure the wheelchairs you’re considering are robust and dependable.
- Will it be required to transport the wheelchair?
Foldable wheelchair solutions are necessary if yours needs to be transferred. You do not necessarily need a folding wheelchair if you do not need to travel in your wheelchair.
Considerations for Choosing a Wheelchair
A study found that 19.1 million persons (10.1%) had mobility issues. There are many high-performance wheelchairs available that can provide users more freedom to lead active lifestyles. There are a few considerations to bear to ensure you receive the greatest high-performance wheelchair for your needs,
Proper-Sized Wheelchair
The most crucial factor to consider when selecting a wheelchair is its size. You can select any ordinary wheelchair on the market if you only require a wheelchair temporarily. It might only be comfortable if the chair is bigger. If it’s too huge, you can fall out if you slip.
Your age, weight, and height will determine the appropriate chair size. Both children’s and adult chairs can be manufactured to order in a variety of sizes and shapes. It would help if you examined the weight restrictions for wheelchairs before purchasing them because they vary.
Weight
You must be aware of your weight to choose a wheelchair that is ideal because wheelchairs are designed to support a particular maximum weight. The weight of the wheelchair itself is the other issue with weight.
Related Article: Why Do Old People Lose Weight?
Wheels
The chair you select ought to have sturdy wheels that work on various surfaces. Look for tires with little maintenance and cheap replacement costs, including foam-filled tires. Your choice of wheels will depend on the surface you need to move over. You should get robust and low-maintenance wheels if you travel frequently.
Size of the Backrest
The wheelchair user’s upper body strength determines the backrest’s height in full. A person with good balance and a stronger upper body can manage with a reduced backrest height.
Your size and medical condition will determine what kind of backrest you require. Wheelchairs that tilt in space might provide additional support by adjusting in different positions to relieve pressure on your muscles and joints.
Bottomline
Wheelchairs should be made to allow their users to engage in as many activities as they like without jeopardizing their health or safety. They ought to be robust. They are long-lasting and suitable for the setting in which they will be used.