Buying a wheel chair is a pretty critical decision. It will affect the mobility and the day to day activity of the user. But what makes this selection so important is the fact the user will be using the chair for every small requirement.
This makes the chair efficiency and design as important as the comfort level. We are looking for chairs that are comfortable to sit in, easy to man oeuvre and easy to navigate. It must be able to turn around in a bathroom and comfortable to sit on for a long time.
Not just that, each user is looking for a different thing from a wheelchair. Luckily adult size wheel chair manufacturers are today coming up with designs that can suit every requirement.
Adult Size Wheel Chair for Patient
Wheelchair users are not all the same. There are long-term users, people who have no or partial mobility. Temporary users are typically people who have suffered some injury that impairs their mobility.
Long-term users often have more than one type of chair to move around. Selecting a wheelchair must be done carefully. So, here are some of the factors that you have to keep in mind:
Age
Wheel chairs are categorized into child’s size and adult’s size.
Type
Broadly speaking there are two types of wheelchairs: Manual wheelchairs and Power Wheelchairs. Most manual chairs can be pushed by the user, while some have to be pushed by a second person.
In both cases, one should check the manoeuvrability. For instance, if you are planning to move this yourself, the height of the seat could be an important factor.
Power wheelchairs today come in a range of options. Wheelchair manufacturers today offer a wide choice in ‘drive’ options rear wheel, mid wheel and front wheel drive.
The options influence the way a user can ‘drive’ the wheelchair. The best option would be to take a test drive to understand what suits one best.
However, this is just a broad classification. There are a number of other types available in the market today, such as ergonomic wheelchair, lightweight wheelchairs, ultra lightweight wheelchairs, foldable wheelchair, tilt Wheelchairs, active wheelchair (or sports wheelchair, used by paraplegic sportspeople) and bariatric wheelchair. The choice here depends on the function, which brings us to the next point:
Utility
This is really the most important criterion when selecting a wheelchair. As mentioned above, long-term users usually go for more than one type, since they need it for a range of functions. Before you buy a wheelchair, evaluate your lifestyle and decide where you need wheelchair assistance.
If you have other mobility-assisting tools, like a pair of crutch to get around, you may need a wheelchair for just some select purposes. Similarly, do you need a transportable wheelchair often or do you need a wheelchair to get around the home.
You may need it for a special purpose, such as playing sports. In which case, you can go for active or sports wheelchair.
Layout
Where are you going to use your chair and how wheelchair friendly is it? If you need a chair to move around the house, then you may need a lightweight chair with better maneuverability. For instance, ability to move around a smaller space like a bathroom.
On the other hand, if you need a chair that has to be moved up and down a stair, you will need motorized assistance. There are other practical factors as well, such as the width of doors at your home/office through which the chair has to pass, the height of the bed in comparison with the chair and so on.
Budget
This could end up being the deciding factors. Adult size wheel chair manufacturers today are making incredibly advanced wheelchairs that can drive like a vehicle and are lightweight to boot.
But the best of these can make a real dent in your pocket. Luckily there are also affordable wheelchairs of high quality. So, decide your budget before making your selection.
Check the quality
The user will be spending a lot of time in the wheelchair. So pay special attention to the quality. Apart from the sturdiness and mobility, check the armrest, seat and backrest for comfort. DO not forget to check the BIS standard to make sure it meets minimum required safety and quality standards.
Conclusion
Today adult size wheel chair manufacturers offer a mind-boggling range in wheelchairs. But its important that you make your selection wisely. Ask around, research and follow our factors before you buy.
