Do you have a mobility-related problem that requires you to use a wheelchair? Or your loved ones who are recommended a mobility aid to help them go about in their lives? There are many options available for the different equipment you can use if your conditions impact how you walk and how frequently you can move around easily. Tools that come in handy to aid mobility range from pairs of crutches, mobility scooters, knee walkers, rollators, and wheelchairs.
Wheelchairs are some of the most common and widely used mobility aid worldwide. Their popularity lies in the fact that they are comfortable, have ease of use, and are readily available in various sizes and models.
Some patients and even healthy individuals might have no choice but to use a wheelchair. It is estimated that around 20 percent of people who need assistance with mobility use wheelchairs worldwide. The array and range of wheelchairs available might confuse and even overwhelm the buyer or patient who has to make a purchase.
Here are a few things you should keep in mind before you buy your first wheelchair.
Questions to ask
Time the patient would spend sitting in the chair
Any special features and considerations
Where and how would the wheelchair be used?
Body measurements
The physique of the patient or user is of particular significance and deserves special attention. It is advisable to buy a wheelchair 1 to 4 cm wider than the patient's hips. The right chair size and specification depend upon the patient's weight, age, and height. It's better to sit in an evaluation wheelchair whether or not it would be comfortable and patient-friendly.
Wheelchairs are of many different shapes and sizes. They are made to fit the body type of every different individual, which is why you should make sure you find one that best fits your body type.
Type of the land or floor
The location of the land and its type, where the said wheelchair would be put to use, is another factor. Suppliers and vendors provide wheelchairs for different types of land terrain depending upon where it is intended to be used. For more rugged and rough terrain, the kind of wheelchair needed would be other than the one for a smooth one.
Wheelchairs are made with certain specifications in mind. These specifications also include the type of surface they will be used on. If you go outside a lot, make sure you opt for a wheelchair that has sturdy wheels.
Seek expert advice before purchase
Expert advice would come in handy before making a purchase. Mobility experts who have an appropriate and proven track record of experience are the go-to professionals in this regard.
It is best to consult an expert regarding all the confusion you might have about buying your first wheelchair. Prepare a list of questions that you need to sort out and briefly explain your concerns and issues to the expert.
Chair weight
Chair weight becomes more relevant when the patient in consideration has issues with moving around with their arms. A lightweight but sturdy chair might be suitable from the standpoint of convenience. Patients who have control difficulties would find electric ones more suitable and convenient. Some patients find it easier to move around in a wheelchair by controlling it with their own hands. It is the patient's decision at the end of the day. After all, he or she is the one who would be using it.
Features and capabilities of the chair
Foldable wheelchairs offer great convenience and comfort for patients. But for some, a wheelchair that remains in the same condition and can't be folded is preferable. A foldable chair, however, is easier and more convenient to be kept in a store or transported to the desired location.
Footrests, arms, and back support
The footrests and arms of the chair must be sturdy yet comfortable. Wheelchairs are now available with foldable footrests. Some patients might need back support that can be adjusted in various positions to keep muscles and joints comfortable.
The material used in the wheelchair
The material with which a wheelchair is made affects its weight. Chairs made of steel are usually heavier, whereas the ones made out of aluminum are lighter. Again, the patient has to make the final choice.
Accessories and spare parts
Wheelchairs may come with the option that can add more features to them. Customization and modification is a big plus that makes a wheelchair more suitable for purchase than another.
Battery life and accuracy indicator (in case of an electric chair)
Usage of the chair should be planned to avoid the inconvenience of getting stranded or ending up somewhere where the chair cant is charged.
Servicing and maintenance
Regular and periodic maintenance of a wheelchair is needed, just like any other mechanical device.
Wheelchairs are of different types. There are electrical and mechanical devices available. If you are opting for a mechanical one, you need to make sure it is properly looked after. Whereas, if you are planning to buy an electric wheelchair, make sure you have proper plug socket space available around the area where your electric wheelchair will be placed.
Wheelchairs have many benefits, but you will only be able to make the most of these benefits when you understand your needs and purchase a wheelchair accordingly.
Sky Medical Supplies is your first choice for wheelchairs, knee walkers, rollators, four wheels walkers in Denver Colorado. We are close to the Denver International Airport (DIA) also serve the colorado population around Aurora, Denver, Parker, Littleton, Boulder, Broomfield, Castle Rock, Denver Tech Center, Cherry Creek, Lone Tree, Lakewood, Greenwood Village, Longmont, Westminster, Englewood, Erie, Superior, Lafayette, Golden, Arvada, Highlands Ranch, Centennial, Englewood, Wheatridge, Brighton, Thornton, Elizabeth, Franktown.