Choose a Wheelchair
It is much easier for the disabled to get around independently than it used to be, and there are various types of wheelchairs on the market: Motorized scooters, motorized wheelchairs, self-propelling wheelchairs, and push-wheelchairs. Here are the features, advantages, and disadvantages of each.
Contents
Steps
Motorized scooters:
- Realize that this wheelchair does not need much physical strength, making it easier for elderly people to use.
- Remember that these can negotiate curbs and road crossings easily.
- Notice that these will not fit in a car and are not very maneuverable, especially in crowds. Also, you should always consider carrying an extra battery just in case it dies.
Motorized / power wheelchairs:
- Select this wheelchair if you have very limited mobility. This wheelchair is powered by a joystick in one hand for easy use. Learn how to use this joystick as it is very powerful and you may crash at first.
- Remember that these can also negotiate curbs and road crossings reasonably easily.
- Choose this wheelchair if you are an independent person who would not like help with it. Realize again that these are less maneuverable than self-propelling chairs but are more maneuverable than scooters or push-wheelchairs.
- Notice that you will not be able to fit these in most cars, though you can fit them in modified vehicles.
Self-propelling wheelchairs:
- Buy this chair if you want easy access to shops and easy steering.
- Notice that you can fit one inside your car, giving you total mobility!
- This is also an independent wheelchair that you can use alone, without help.
- Realize that this wheelchair is not for people with limited upper body strength because it is very hard work for your arms. People with breathing difficulties, high blood pressure, etc. may also have trouble.
- Terrain will be a major concern while using this chair, so take your usual environment into consideration. Maneuvering on thick carpets, for example, will be slower than on tile or linoleum. Going uphill can be exhausting, but going downhill is more dangerous.
- If the wheels get wet or dirty, your hands will get dirty as well. Also, your hands are vulnerable to injury from the wheels. Plan to wear fingerless gloves while moving about in this chair, and to keep your fingernails short.
- Despite all these cautions, if you are in relatively good physical condition north of the knees, this is quite probably the chair you want. You will be able to move about more naturally than in a powered chair. Even better, you will maintain and perhaps develop your overall strength and balance.
Push-wheelchairs/Transport Chairs:
- Use this chair if you don't want to do any work at all in these, so these are good for people with extremely limited movement or no movement at all in their upper body.
- Choose this chair if you want to negotiate curbs more easily.
- Notice that most of these will fold down to fit into a normal car
- Realize that you cannot operate these on your own, so you will always need someone with you. You may feel less independent in one, as you will have to direct your pusher to wherever you want to go.
- Remember that these are not very maneuverable and are so hard to move around in in shops and crowded places.
Tips
- Borrow wheelchairs / scooters before buying one, to see which you like best
- Places like hospitals, the Red Cross, or your local shopping mall will let you borrow wheelchairs / scooters - usually for free
- Wheelchairs / scooters can be very expensive. Look on Internet sites and in newspaper adverts for second-hand ones.
Warnings
- Don't go out on your own until you know how to work your chair, and are confident you won't get stuck!
