jeetendramaurya A power wheelchair can be a great help for patients in need who want to move around by themselves again. If you or someone you know is looking to purchase a new power wheelchair, then you’re in luck. We won’t let you buy it blindly. There’s a lot to consider to ensure this is a purchase you don’t regret later.
Turn your attention to the following points that you must consider before you buy a retail power wheelchair. When you give all these factors enough evaluation, you’ll end up making the right decision in the end.
1. Controls
Every power wheelchair has controls that you can operate to move it around however you’d like. Modern wheelchairs are very precise with how you can maneuver them. Some come with joysticks, and others with touch-sensitive panels.
You need to choose a chair with controls that you can use easily since you’ll be using them a lot. Feel free to try out different chairs at the store when purchasing to compare the different controls. The end goal is to find something that can become an extension of your own body.
2. Comfort
Different chairs have different features to make them comfortable. Some have ergonomic backrest reclining features, and you can adjust the height of the arm or footrests. Since you’ll be spending a lot of time in a wheelchair, ensuring your comfort is vital to your overall well-being.
If you’re uncomfortable in your wheelchair, it will lead to irritability and distress. We recommend taking your time to sit in different wheelchairs until you find one that’s perfectly comfortable. Even if that option comes a little out of your budget, your comfort is worth the compromise.
3. Chair Size
Remember that you’ll have to maneuver inside and outside the home in your wheelchair. While you may be able to find enough room to move freely outdoors, most homes have less space to work with. Your wheelchair must be the right size for you to sit comfortably but not be too bulky to turn corners inside the house or other cramped spaces.
4. Electric battery
Power wheelchairs are powered with batteries, much like an electric car or scooter. You’ll need to keep it charged so that you can always get where you need to go. So, you must consider the battery life and charging time of a power wheelchair before you buy it.
Think about your routine. Do you spend a lot of time outside where you have to move around a lot or do you mostly stay at home and move little? If you intend to travel around more with your wheelchair, you’ll need one with long battery life. If it has quick charging, you won’t have to wait up much for it to be ready to use again whenever it runs out of charge.
5. Type
There are several types of power wheelchairs specialized for different kinds of use. There are center-wheel drive wheelchairs that are perfect for indoor use since they are good with tight spaces. Then there are front-wheel drive wheelchairs that are good for handling uneven terrain, and better for outdoor use.
Rear-wheel drive wheelchairs are more stable at higher speeds, making them best for long distances, while travel power wheelchairs are lightweight, compact, and transportable. Finally, there are heavy-duty wheelchairs with more weight capacity, built for rugged use. You must choose the one that suits your needs the best.
