A Guide to Choosing a Wheelchair for Your Needs

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WheelchairWhen you are bound to a wheelchair, it is extremely important to make a decision about the type of wheelchair you would like. Various wheelchair types are built for different purposes and you may need two or more for each activity that you do so choosing versatile options is the best way to get good quality and save money.

Portable Wheelchairs

Taking your wheelchair on public transport or packing it away into a car can be difficult if you buy a bulky model. There are manual portable wheelchairs which are built to be easily collapsible or are easy to dismantle. These types of chairs in particular are made with lightweight metal such as aluminum. This means that it’s not only hardy and lasts a very long time with very little maintenance, but that it is also easy to pick up and store away in the trunk of a car.

Another great thing about having a portable chair which is so lightweight is that it is easy to propel forward. Some models may be made with large wheels which you can push yourself, or others may be made with smaller wheels which are designed to be pushed along by someone else as you sit in the wheelchair.

Powered Wheelchairs

Powered wheelchairs are a lot easier to operate than manual wheelchairs because you don’t need to spend any energy operating them. They will usually have a control which you can use that is placed on the arm of the chair. This will allow you to navigate yourself around easily and smoothly without tiring out your arms.

Powered wheelchairs usually have quite small wheels and well cushioned chairs, and although they will be generally heavier than portable or other manual chairs, this is because of the battery and extra cushioning but you don’t have to worry about propelling it forward using your upper body strength.

Using a manual chair is about keeping it as light as possible whereas a powered wheelchair can be weighed down without affecting its performance. You can add storage trays and bags as well to make shopping or carrying items much easier as well. You can buy a power wheelchair here and also look at other models that are available.

Bariatric Wheelchairs

For more heavy duty models, you might want to consider a bariatric wheelchair. If you are heavy set or suffer from a weight related health issue that prevents you walking, then a bariatric chair is better suited to you and your body type.
Where a standard wheelchair will be sufficient for a person of an average weight, it will not offer a heavier person the right amount of support, nor will it be the correct size for them. A bariatric wheelchair can usually hold up to 700 lbs and will come in various seat sizes between 24 and 30 inches (a standard wheelchair will usually only be 18). If you do choose one of these models, make sure you are honest about your weight to get the right one for you.

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