Wheelchairs grant mobility to people who are unable to or have difficulty getting around due to a disability, illness or injury. A wheelchair permits the user to move around comparatively easily and to lead a more active and independent life.
Wheel chairs have become a familiar piece of medical equipment, yet most people are unaware of the wide variety on the market today. With so many styles to choose from, doing your research will help you get a wheelchair to fit the users specific needs..gif) The two main categories are manual wheel chairs and electric wheel chairs. There are also a variety of styles to choose from, generally including standard wheelchairs, lightweight transportable wheelchairs, heavy-duty, extra wide bariatric wheelchairs, rugged terrain wheelchairs, beach and rocking wheelchairs.
Other things to consider before buying a wheelchair are whether it is designed for indoor or outdoor use. If you plan to do a lot of outdoor activities, you might need to buy two wheelchairs. You also need to think about the size and the weight it can hold, and the size of the seat. If you are planning to buy an electric wheelchair, you should know where the power source is located. A RWD (rear wheel drive) electric wheelchair will usually move faster than FWD (front wheel drive) wheelchairs. Will you need a reclining wheelchair or one with removable armrests? Some power chairs have adjustable footrests. Last, but not least, you need to find out if it has a warranty and for how long.
In general, if you are only temporarily in a wheelchair and have ample arm/upper body strength a manual wheelchair is probably the way to go. If however you are confined to a wheel chair and expect to be for a longer period, or if you lack the physical strength to operate the manual chair for an extended period of time, an electric power wheelchair may be the perfect choice. Why exhaust yourself trying to get around, save that valuable energy for something you enjoy! Lead a self-reliant life by choosing the wheel chair that is right for you! Like any other type of purchase you make, do your research before you buy. If you put some thought and consideration into what you need in a chair and how much you will use it, you will be much happier with your purchase in the end.
Descriptions:
Manual wheelchairs are self-propelled by the user or pushed by an attendant. They are typically lighter in weight and simple to use. Manual wheel chairs are recommended for everyday or occasional use.
Electric Wheelchairs are propelled by a motor and steered by a hand control, ideal for someone with limited arm strength. They typically cost more and are more complex to operate, but the benefits are well worth it. Electric wheel chairs are recommended for everyday, all day use.
Standard wheelchairs are designed for people under 300 lbs, and are generally more affordable than a more specialized wheel chair.
Lightweight Transportable travel power wheelchairs are compact and designed to be foldable or easy to take apart for transport. A manual transport chair can not be self-propelled, but requires an attendant to push it- or you may use your feet to scoot it along. An electric transport chair generally weighs less than 100 lbs.
Heavy-Duty, Extra wide bariatric wheelchairs are designed to be used by those over 300 lbs. and generally have a wider seat and stronger frame.
Rugged terrain wheelchairs are designed with outdoor use in mind. They not only travel on pavement, but also on grass, sand or gravel.
Beach wheelchairs are specially designed for fun in the sun! With special tires and other features made to be used around water and sand.
Rocking/ Reclining wheelchairs are designed for patient comfort, napping, reading or conversation. The tilt positioning also prevents pressure ulcers. The only downside is that they are typically hard to transport.
Before you purchase a power chair you should consider these questions-
-
How much time will you be spending in your wheelchair?
-
How is your health and physical strength?
-
Are you able to self-propel a manual wheelchair?
-
Do you have an attendant who will push your chair?
-
Will you be traveling often and need to transport your wheelchair?
-
Do you have the agility to disassemble a larger model wheel chair?
-
Do you have a companion who can help you with transporting a wheelchair?
-
Do you have any special needs?
-
Do you need a lighter or heavier weight capacity wheelchair?
-
Do you need a certain kind of head, back, leg or arm support?
-
What type of activities will you be using your wheel chair for?
-
How much do you want to spend on a wheelchair?
Frequently Asked Power Electric Wheelchair Questions
Our power wheelchair customers often have many questions before purchasing their electric wheelchair, so we thought we would answer the most frequently asked questions here on our Web site. If you have a wheelchair question that is not answered here, please don't hesitate to call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-910-0444.
1.What types of powerchairs do you sell?
All the power chairs we sell are electric. Most operate with two 12 volt batteries, which work together in a 24 volt system. We carry a wide variety of electric wheelchairs. If you want to be able to travel with your electric wheelchair, we have foldable or take apart chairs that are designed for lightweight transport. We understand your need for a lightweight transportable mobility electric wheelchair. We also carry rugged terrain powerchairs designed for outside use over grass, hills and uneven land. In addition, Scooter Link has everything in-between in all shapes and sizes. We even carry 4 wheel drive high power wheelchairs. We at Scooter Link understand that everyone is not the same weight, size or height. It is for this reason that we have worked so hard to find you the very best variety in bariatric heavy weight capacity electric wheelchairs. Our wide range power wheelchairs for 200, 300, 400 to 500 lb. plus weight capacity will satisfy the needs of all our powerchair users. We also carry electric wheelchairs for all different height people, from very short to very tall and everything in between. We carry electric wheelchairs for leading manufacturers such as Pride Mobility Wheelchairs, Leisure Lift Wheelchairs, PaceSaver Wheelchairs, Amigo Wheelchiars, Golden Technologies Wheelchairs, IMC Wheelchairs & CTM Wheelchairs.
2. I want to get mobile. Would I be better off with an Electric Wheelchair or Scooter?
An electric wheelchair has a joystick that works your speed and direction. A scooter will have what is called a driving tiller. The driving tiller has something you grip with both hands or one to steer with. The tiller also has forward and reverse thumb levers built in and with a special tiller (called a delta tiller), your forward & reverse are applied by squeezing just your fingers as you grip the tiller. Although many people are used to having something to grip to steer with, a joystick (such as what is found on an electric wheelchair) is extremely easy to maneuver once a person gets used to it. In addition an electric wheelchair works much better in a home to get through doors & around furniture. The smaller your home, the more it makes sense that an electric wheelchair is your best bet if your usage is primarily in the home. For outside use only, an electric scooter is perfect. While electric scooters work great outside, you will want to make sure that you pick a scooter that works for your size, weight & the terrain you will be using it for. You will also find that electric wheelchairs work well outside. Again, you will want to make sure that you pick a wheelchair that works for your size, weight & the terrain you will be using it for. Your Scooter Link representative can help you make the right decision. 1 888 910-0444
3. Will I get the best price on my mobility electric wheelchair from Scooter Link?
Our goal is to have you as our customer. We know we need to give you the very best price and service on your electric wheelchair purchase. We compare prices daily with our competitors. We do our best to make sure that we are a few dollars under the lowest price electric wheelchair store. We also offer an additional, online 2% discount on most electric wheelchairs with a parts warranty that can't be beat. A nationwide labor warranty is also available on all our powerchairs. This is what we mean by, "Lowest Price, Best Service". If you find a lower price on any electric wheelchair, please ask about our 115% price guarantee.
4. What do you charge for shipping?
We offer free shipping on all our electric wheelchairs in the Continental United States. The U.S. Non-Continental States and Canada may be charged shipping in some cases, but not all cases and not without giving you a shipping quote first.
5. Can you explain the best way to care for the batteries in my power wheelchair?
If you charge your electric wheelchair at night, it should be fully charged in the morning and ready for 4 to 6 hours of continuous driving time. This should get you through the day with no problem. If you do not use your electric wheelchair for a long period of time, you should still charge it at least once a week. If your wheelchair batteries go completely dead, the charger will not come on and you may need to put some charge into the batteries with another source until your onboard or offboard charger comes on. If your batteries stay dead for a long period of time, it can ruin them. The older your batteries get, the shorter your driving time will be. The average life expectancy of your batteries is one to two years.
|
