Buying the correct wheelchair the first time.

Getting the Right Wheelchair

June 2nd, 2011 

Getting the right wheelchair to meet the exact needs of the user is very important, especially if the person using the chair is a long-term wheelchair user that will be seated in the chair for many hours per day. They must be comfortable but also be safe and use the chair to the maximum ability.

In modern eras of internet purchasing, made so easy by the click of a mouse it is tempting to buy an off-the-shelf chair, there is of course nothing wrong with buying wheelchairs over the internet but long-term/permanent users need to ensure that their chair is personalized to their own requirements, this is best done by an occupational therapist or a wheelchair technician. Both will consider your height, posture, weight and any special requirements that you have, these may include adjusting foot plates, the seat height and angle and even the type of cushion required, all have to be given serious consideration to ensure that the disabled persons health and mobility does not deteriorate.

The persons type of disability needs to be given great consideration when choosing the right wheelchair, if they are a spinal injury user, then the level type and type of injury will need to be considered, for example, the person may well have a hand dexterity that prevents them from using the standard push rim’s, if this is the case raised push rims may be required. They may also suffer from body spasms that could cause them to be unstable, securing belts or straps may then be required as an addition.Other considerations that need to be made are the weight and design of the wheelchair. Will the chair need to go into a car easily? Or can it be rigid framed to offer more stability? Will the patient require armrests or neck supports fitted?

Getting a new wheelchair can be a very daunting task and you may not even be aware of some of the considerations that you need to give. A professional adviser would always be recommended to long-term wheelchair users.

There are also many accessories the user may want to consider, some that they may not even be aware, of such as cup holders, detachable push handles and a host of bags and lap trays, all designed to make life that little bit easier as well as offering greater independence.

Of course if you’re buying a wheelchair for yourself or somebody with a temporary disability then many of the standard off-the-shelf wheelchairs will suffice and you can be guided by price rather than quality.

Robin is a long-term wheelchair user of some 35+ years, he has made many mistakes purchasing wheelchairs over the years and hopes that by highlighting the importance of getting the right wheelchair and the best wheelchair accessories available that it will assist others.

The best online wheelchair and mobility scooter store is www.frontlinemobility.com