Essential Features Every Wheelchair User Needs To Know About
People who have been using wheelchairs for a long period of time will appreciate the complexities of selecting a wheelchair to meet their personal needs. For the first time user, it can be a daunting experience and very difficult to know where to start.
The purpose of this article is to assist wheelchair users by providing helpful information about the most important features of manual wheelchairs. The subject of motorized / electric powered wheelchairs will be covered in a future article.
The first thing to understand is that there is no single wheelchair that can meet all your requirements. It's a case of identifying your needs and then prioritizing them in order of greatest importance.
The first point to consider is your personal details such as weight, size and height as your wheelchair needs to be capable of safely and comfortably carrying your body weight.
If you are going to spend long periods in your wheelchair, then comfort will be a high up on your list of priorities. Failure to choose a suitable design can result in painful pressure sores. There a variety of cushion seats and backrest options to choose from.
The location where you intend using your wheelchair is often not taken into account when making a purchasing decision. This is a very big mistake and should be carefully considered. If you are only going to use the chair at home, then you don't have to worry about transporting it to other locations.
If you do need to use your wheelchair in other locations, then you have to consider a transport type wheelchair that is compact, lightweight and possibly foldable. this is important if you have limited storage space in your vehicle. In some cases you may also need a wheelchair ramp or even a wheelchair lift.
Even if you only use your wheelchair around your home, you may need to use ramps if you are moving from one level to another. There are numerous types of ramps that are both lightweight and portable. e.g telescopic and suitcase type ramps that can be easily moved around and stored out of the way when they are not required.
Do you have a carer / companion to push your wheelchair or do you have to rely on your own physical capabilities to propel yourself? If so, you may need to consider a lightweight model that is easier to propel than the heavy duty models.
If you can afford it, another option is to have a second wheelchair that you use for outdoor use or when traveling to other locations. If you are the sporty type, you may even have a sports model custom designed especially for you.
As you can see from the above, there are many factors to take into account. The following two links will provide you with lots more detailed information about wheelchair features and selecting wheel chairs.