Types of Wheelchairs - For your Specific Needs

A wheelchair assists differently abled people, senior citizens, small children’s and people with leg injury or physiological illness to become more mobile and independent. There are different types of wheelchairs which are used depending on specific needs and user preferences of the individual. It is important to understand the limitations and safe operation of the wheelchair you choose. Read more to understand and learn about different wheelchairs available in the market.

Manual Wheelchair: This wheelchair needs to be propelled by the user only. It is best suitable for the person who has sufficient strength and proper movement in arms. A manual chair uses the arms and upper body to roll the wheel. Manual wheelchairs are affordable and easiest to operate. There are five types of manual wheelchairs available in the market. So let’s have a look on their brief description.

• Ergonomic: Ergonomic wheelchairs have light weight frames and seat designs that reduce the pressure points. These chairs provide comfortable option for mobility impaired users like Karma Healthcare S-ERGO 115 Ergonomic Wheelchair. These chairs are used by those individuals who are living with conditions that prevent them from walking and to accomplish their daily living activities. This chair is especially designed for the people who have chronic disease such as paraplegia, post polio syndrome, neuromuscular disease like arthritis in the lower extremities, MS, lower limb amputations and cerebral palsy.
• Tilt-In-Space: The chairs have power tilt feature which allows the whole chair to tilt upto 30 or 60 degree while maintain the patient’s hip and knee angles at 90 degree. In most of the chairs it is done with a button that allows a patient’s body to move independently. The Tilt-In-Space offers the required changes in positions to the patients who are not able to shift their body weight or change positions. The chair like Karma Healthcare VIP-515 Tilt-In-Space wheelchair is helpful for the individuals who are not able to maintain pelvic, trunk, head position. Also these chairs aids in preventing postural collapse to the individuals who are at a higher risk for respiratory or digestive complications.
• Reclining: These chairs usually have a high back and are designed in a way which allows the individual to recline at the incremental angles safely and comfortably. Reclining wheelchairs are more suitable for patients who suffer from orthostatic hypotension, severe hip extension contracture and pressure re- distribution for prevention of skin breakdown. And for further safety and security restraint system can be built into the frame.
• Ultra-Light & Sports: The Ultra Light wheelchair is considered as folding wheelchair which allows the user to fold and store it in small space, car garage or a vehicle trunk. This chair comes with wide range of features that’s suits users personal needs. Ultra light wheelchairs are especially designed for the individuals who like to live an active life or are interested in sports.
• Bariatric: Bariatric wheelchairs (Electric/Manual) are also known as Heavy duty wheelchairs which come with extra weight capacity for people who weigh over 114 Kg. These chairs like Karma Healthcare KM-BT10 Multi-functional Bariatric Wheelchair are heavy and wider as compared to the other wheelchairs. It is suitable for all size patients as these chairs comes with larger seating area, leg support, solid rubber tires and many other customizable options. The tires are designed in such a way that it does not have air in it which helps in increased support and reduces the chances of tire failure.

Electric Chair: Electric chairs are also known as Power Chairs and much more convenient and suitable for the people with limited mobility. The chairs like EB 103A Folding Power Wheelchair move with the help of electric motor and have a remote control which helps in controlling the direction and speed of the chair. These chairs can be customized as per the patients need. There are many varieties available in Electric wheelchairs which can be operated by hands, mouth or any other functioning body part. The Electric chairs also comes with the options of tilt and recline.

Pediatric Wheelchair: As the name says the chair is especially designed for the children’s with limited mobility and postural problems. The chair like Smart Care SC802 is relatively small, compact and fit to a child’s body compared to the adult wheelchair. Paediatric wheelchair helps children in living an active life. It comes in three types namely Tilt-In-Space, manual and Power.

Standing/Power Electric Wheelchair: Standing wheelchair enables the user to raise the chair from seated to standing position. The chair provides regular mobility to the user and help in living independent life. Wheelchair like HERO 4 –Semi Motorized has many physical health benefits. Some of them are:

• Improves urinary and bowel functions
• Reduces the spasticity & pressure sore
• Easy to transfer
• Increase circulation
• Reduces depression by giving ability to stand 

The above information will sure help you choose the best wheelchair and get a good deal for yourself or the person who will be using it. You can buy wheelchairs today at HealthVistas.com at attractive discount offers. Different wheelchairs come with different features and benefits, choose wisely and live freely!

Factors to consider before buying a wheelchair

Are all the wheelchairs same? Most of the individuals will answer it in Yes!

But “No” they are not same. Just like there are differences in every vehicle the same way every wheelchair is different. Wheelchairs have huge difference and meet different needs of different people. The last two decades have tremendously seen a huge progress in development of the wheelchairs. Now we can see wide variety of wheelchairs is available in market. But the important question is choosing the correct wheelchair. Moreover getting a right wheelchair is important for overall quality of life. If you have a family member, friend, relative or neighbor who is physically challenged then help them in choosing the best wheelchair that will cater well to their needs.

There are many factors that need to be considered before buying a wheelchair like

1. Will I use my chair for indoors or outdoors?
2. Where will be the wheelchair used mostly?
3. Is the wheelchair easily transportable?
4. How long I will be sitting on the wheelchair?

There are multiple questions and doubts run in our mind while choosing. And for the first time user making a choice will be more difficult. So I want to share some tips and points that should be taken into consideration before you purchase.

Some of the other important factors which are:

Overall Weight of chair:
The overall weight of the wheelchair should be taken into consideration while selecting the wheelchair. The lighter the chair the more convenient it will be to lift and transport it in car. There are some chairs in which the parts can be removed easily such as foot rests and armrests which make the chair lighter in weight.

Assessing the Correct Size:

• User Weight: The weight of the occupant must be taken into consideration while selecting wheelchair. Every wheelchair has a weight limit and the standard wheelchair has a normal weight limit of 114 Kg. If the user weight more than it then a heavy duty chair must be selected.
• Seat Size: There are various seating sizes available in wheelchairs and it is important to choose the correct size. As the correct size will give enough room to comfortable sitting positions and will avoid the pressure. A narrow seat will increase the chances of skin shearing while a wide seat will rotate the occupant’s legs inward and give strain on hips. So in order to avoid these problems it is required to measure the occupant’s widest part of the hips.
• Backrest Height: A correct backrest height usually allows freedom of movement and maintains good posture. The correct seat height can be determined by taking the measurement of the wheelchair user. The standard chairs come with the fixed height but there are many chairs available in the market that comes with adjustable height.
• Armrest Height: The armrest of the wheelchair should be such that it supports the arms of the user comfortably. If the armrest will be too high then it will raise the shoulders of user and a low armrest will end up in leaning one side or the other. There are usually 4 types of armrest Adjustable, Removable, Flip Back and Fixed or Permanent.

These are some of the basic points I have shared with you in this article. It will help you in selecting a right chair. And once you are sure about which wheelchair to buy then look for the warranty and the deals available. At Healthvistas.com you can choose among the wide variety of wheelchair available at best prices. So now don’t restrict yourself to your house and live a healthy, active, independent and self reliant life.