Choosing the Right Motorized Wheelchair For You
Once upon a time, being the user of a wheelchair provided a person two options; have enough upper body strength to move yourself, or employ someone else to push you around all day. Naturally, not every wheelchair bound person enjoys a robust and capable upper body. Hardly any wheelchair users have the option to hire a professional attendant, and it is even rarer to have a family member or friend with the time and abilities which are essential to be an attendant. Happily, nowadays we are able to own a motorized wheel chair which help us to keep our independence without presuming on someone else’s.
Motorized wheelchairs are manipulated by mounted joysticks, so you merely require the use of a single hand to maneuver the chair. Motorized wheelchairs are routinely more maneuverable than manual wheelchairs, because the rider doesn’t need to extend their hands and elbows further than the arms of that chair. The motor permits these chairs to provide power-assisted postural supports, such as power tilt and recline. These features enable the rider to change their position often enough to safeguard against pressure sores.
Some models of motorized chairs are able to lift the occupant to a standing position so they can do some tasks upright rather than seated. Motorized wheelchairs have more tire and powerbase possibilities, and usually have spring suspensions, which allow them to move over unpaved surfaces safely. While toting a motorized wheelchair in a wheelchair accessible vehicle, the chair is made to be strapped to the vehicle and used as a regular car seat; a possibility which is not available with the majority of normal wheelchairs. You may also need a wheel chair lift.
Motorized wheelchair have some drawbacks, though. First, they are extremely heavy. The chairs are run by heavy duty batteries which weigh more than enough all by themselves, and when that weight is added to the sturdy suspension as well as the remaining support frame, you will end up with up to 300 lbs of equipment before the user is actually in it. As a result of the necessary weight and dimensions, even travel power chairs are not terribly easy to go through an airport with, and when you need to break down and stow these sorts of chairs, you will definitely want the help of a second set of hands.
As expected, motorized wheelchairs could also be quite expensive. They can are priced between $1600 and $7500, even though in quite a few cases, Medicare could subsidize up to 80% of that investment. Most retailers are more than willing to help you in completing any required Medicare paperwork, fortunately, and often they will submit the paperwork for you.
Motorized power wheel chairs & lifts are handy products for customers with extremely limited mobility who choose not to limit their activities. These chairs could give any user the mobility and independence required to keep up an active lifestyle.
Posted on February 6th, 2010 by admin
Filed under: NEWS