A wheelchair is an essential assistive device for people who face difficulty while walking. Today wheelchairs are available in different types and are not limited only to manual wheelchairs. It is vital to know about the different types of wheelchairs so that one can make an informed choice.
Self-Propelled: The self-propelled wheelchair is the most commonly used of all types of wheelchairs. Wheelchair users who have sufficient upper-body strength often use this kind of wheelchair. It has 4 wheels; 2 big side wheels, and two little caster wheels, a back cushion, footrests, and push-rims. The person in the wheelchair propels it forward with his or her hands by means of the push-rims. This is why in order to use a self-propelled wheelchair, the person must have sufficient arm strength. There are two different types of self-propelled wheelchairs; one that features a rigid frame, and one that has a foldable frame.
When the wheelchair is in a folded state, it will take less space to store. These self-propelled foldable wheelchairs can be loaded quickly into a car and stored easily in an office or a house. The folding variety is less sturdy than the rigid style, but it is an ideal choice for people traveling in cars or those who use a wheelchair more infrequently. The seat of a foldable wheelchair is made out of foldable materials such as leather, cloth, or synthetic material, while the seat of a rigid framed wheelchair is made out of solid materials such as plastic, wood, or metal.
Compared to the folding model, rigid wheelchairs are on the heavier side, but the newer designs are ultra-light. The best part about these wheelchairs is that you can add your own accessories when necessary, such as an oxygen tank holder, crutch holder, drink holders, tilts or other disability living aids.
Attendant-Propelled Wheelchairs: Such wheelchairs come with handles at the rear that helps the attendant to push the chair forward. The attendant-propelled wheelchair is small in size. Often brakes are affixed to the handle to help the attendant stop the wheelchair easily. There are also parking brakes which can be pressed with the hand or foot. Attendant driven wheelchairs are most commonly seen being used in institutional places such as supermarkets, hospitals, railway stations, and airports.
Motorized/Powered Wheelchair: These wheelchairs are propelled by electricity. The wheels of a motorized wheelchair turn by means of electric motors and batteries. The power chair is controlled through a joystick affixed to the armrest. The joystick can alternatively be attached on the chair’s upper side if necessary. The motorized wheelchair can easily travel more than 15 kilometers in a single battery charge. In case the user is not comfortable using the joystick, there are other control mechanisms which manufacturers can attach to your wheelchair; a sip and puff controller, a joystick that is chin-operated, and head switches are just a few examples.
Apart from these, there are some unique wheelchairs available such as a stair climbing chair, a beach wheelchair, a reclining wheelchair, a sports wheelchair and a mobility scooter.
Now that you’re aware of the options available to you, you’re ready to find the wheelchair which is best for you.
