Choose your wheelchair well
A wheelchair holds the key to your comfort and daily life. Be wise when getting the right one

Wheelchairs are mobility aids that can greatly improve your quality of life if you have mobility issues. Choosing the right one is important to help you move around according to your needs. Whether it’s a manual or an electric one, you need to talk to your doctor or therapist to understand what will best suit you, assess your physical situation in terms of what your micro conditions are (for example, do you have ulcers?) and then make an optimal choice.
Some questions you should ask yourself when buying a wheelchair are whether you will be pushing your chair yourself, or will someone push you, how often will you use it, do you need cushions to prevent pressure ulcers, do you need to recline, will you go out a lot, do you need an athlete’s wheelchair, how will you transport it and what your insurance covers. Accordingly, you can go ahead and look at options.
There are a few things that are essential to buying the right wheelchair. Firstly, there’s weight of the wheelchair. The lighter the frame, the easier it will be to lift and move about in. The cost of lightweight wheelchairs however can be high, so most standard chairs have steel frames. The lighter ones have aluminium frames. Also consider the detachable parts of a wheelchair when evaluating weight — the more parts that can be removed, the lighter the wheelchair can be. Then there’s storage ability. Most wheelchairs fold when the seat is pulled up. A range of parts can also detach such as the footrest, arms and wheels, making storage even easier.
The frequency with which you will use the wheelchair is also a key factor. Some wheelchairs are designed for occasional use, such as short trips or appointments, while others are more suited to constant use. The latter offer more comfort and pressure relief and are overall more comfortable. The seat size should be suitable for you so that your weight is evenly distributed on the seat area. This will prevent sores. If you find it difficult to get up from a wheelchair a higher seat is more beneficial. And it shouldn’t be too wide, because then you won’t be able to use the handrests for support properly.
Most standard wheelchairs have fixed backrest heights and some reclining capacity.
You can get adjustable angle back rests but these are found on more specialist chairs which cost more. You can buy optional headrests which can be fitted to any wheelchair. This supports the head if you get fatigued sitting on the chair.
You can get mobility chairs for elderly through MobiCrew, the wheelchair accessibility app.
Related
-
How to keep going with limited mobility
-
Tips for Choosing the Right Health Service Provider
-
Dont stop moving!
-
What is a Health Care Service Provider?
-
How Assistive Technology is Transforming Mobility Independence
-
A Complete Guide to Wheelchair Types and Their Prices in India
-
A Guide to Choosing the Right Handicapped Equipment for Your Needs
-
Tips to Find the Best Healthcare Provider Partners in Mumbai
-
What do companion caregivers do?
-
Apps that keep you healthy
-
Rehab: The road to recovery
-
Enhancing Quality of Life
-
The Ultimate Guide to Wheelchair Accessories: Boost Your Independence Today
-
Who make for ideal caregivers?
-
Adapt your vehicle
-
Dealing with the odds
-
Tips for Buying the Best Mobility Equipment for Your Needs
-
Different Types of Home Health Care Services in India
-
Advancements in Treatment and Care for Spina Bifida: What You Need to Know
-
Detailed Guide On Best Elder Care Services in Mumbai
-
Insurance is key to inclusion
-
The Essential Guide to Finding the Best Patient Care Taker in Mumbai
-
Mobility aids to the rescue
-
Apps make caregiving easier
-
Apps that simplify life
-
Tips to Select the Best Caretaker Services in Mumbai
-
Navigating Mumbai with Ease: Your Guide to Reliable Mobility and Elder Care Solutions
-
A Guide to Buy Mobility Equipment Online
-
Step into healthy living
-
The benefits of community care
-
Senior care top tips
-
Tech that makes life better
-
How to Choose Reliable Elder Care Assistance Providers
-
The benefits of elder care services
-
Best Physical Therapists in Mumbai For Home Treatment