Choosing a wheelchair to suit the needs of the future user is not as easy as it may seem - so it is worth paying a lot of attention to thoroughly familiarize yourself with the topic and choose the best.
Wheelchair type - which to choose?
We can find several types of wheelchairs on the market, the purchase of which should take into account what such a wheelchair would be used for? The basic selection criterion is the degree of independence of the user of such a wheelchair - is it a person who will only use wheelchair in the apartment or also outside? Is the wheelchair going to serve only to facilitate easier transport or also to provide the user with grater mobility? When we answer the above question, we can choose the type of the wheelchair and we can choose from among those available on the market:
- standard wheelchairs - aluminum or steel, which are perfect for elderly people who struggle with independent movement, both inside and outside the premises. Standard wheelchairs are also a help for people after injuries, when independent movement is impossible, e.g. after plastering or dangerous, e.g. due to the risk of loss of consciousness or a fall. What's the difference between them? In fact, weight - steel wheelchairs are heavier and aluminum wheelchairs lighter, which will have little impact on the later comfort of use and price - aluminum wheelchairs will be more expensive.
- electrically powered wheelchairs - which will be perfect for people who are less independent and for those who would like to travel longer distances in a wheelchair - for example for shopping. What is their phenomenon? These wheelchairs are equipped with a battery and electric drive and their operation is reduced to maneuvering the so-called joystick, the operation of which is extremely simple and intuitive. The electric wheelchair allows its user to cover up to 20 km on a single battery charge.
- toilet, shower and transport wheelchairs - depending on their design, they are used as a portable toilet on wheels, as an aid with bathing or transport. There are many models of such wheelchairs on the market, but when making your choice, it is worth paying attention to the opinions about the manufacturer and the quality of materials from which the stroller was made.
- nursing wheelchairs - intended for the care of dependent people or people with a very low degree of independence. Such wheelchairs have many amenities for both the user and the caregiver - incl. - back and head stabilization, sanitary container or a four-point belt for the user.
Determining the purpose of the wheelchair that we plan to purchase is key to making such a decision. Before making a purchase, it is worth getting acquainted with the possibilities of the selected wheelchair and the opinions about it issued by its users - which will certainly make your choice easier. It is always worth betting on a professional shop with rehabilitation equipment.