Published by B. Cando on 01 Oct 2011

Choosing your motorized wheelchair

With so many different brands of motorized wheelchairs available, sometimes choosing the right one can seem overwhelming. There are a multitude of brands out there such as Pride Mobility, the Jazzy wheelchair, Quantum, Permobil and Levo.  If you are also concerned about the environment, you could even go for a solar powered wheelchair.  However, if you were to follow certain guidelines, and examine your needs and requirements and with the help of your medical professional, you can easily make the right decision without too much difficulty. It is very important that you do some preliminary research before you go about looking for a new power chair.  Remember, it must suit your physical needs, your body size and with all the extra accessories that will make life easier.

Regardless of whether you buy from a retailer or order at an online store, the first thing that you need to do is to identify the particular type of power chair that best suits your needs. I suggest that you make a list of your requirements. You can do this by considering certain key factors.  The first factor that you need to consider is to be the place where you will be actually using the wheelchair most often.   This is, of course, your home and you will have to take into consideration the dimensions of your home, your place of employment, the places you visit and if you plan to use the wheelchair out of doors often and over what kind of terrain. Remember, that some of the wheelchairs are geared more towards outdoor use, sidewalks, curbs, rough terrain, shopping malls, etc, while there are others more suited to using in your residence.

The next important aspect that you need to consider is the overall external width of the wheelchair. After all, if you want to use your chair inside your home, it should be able to pass through the narrowest doors and other tight corners. You should therefore take a close look at the width of the chair and also its maneuverability for angular turns around halls and between rooms.

The size of the wheelchair is also an important factor when buying a wheel chair.  You have to consider the size in order to make sure it can carry your height and weight.  The seat must fit and the wheelchair must be able to carry your weight.  On most wheelchairs, this can be adjusted somewhat but you will need to check out each particular model’s features.

Jazzy-Select-motorized-wheelchair

Another aspect that you need to consider is the transportability factor. If you are someone who frequently goes on long drives or travel , then it is always best that you go in for a model that can fold and fit inside the trunk your car or conveniently pack for airplane travel. The final factor that you need to consider is the weight of the chair. You should choose the optimum weight that you are comfortable with. Once you consider these factors choosing a wheelchair becomes a rather simple process of elimination.  Once you’ve got all the logistics of buying a motorized wheelchair and have decided on the brand, all you have to do is choose the color you want and most are available in an assortment of colors.  Add on some wheelchair accessories and you are all set to buy your new power chair.

Published by B. Cando on 13 Oct 2010

Advice on Buying a Wheelchair

It used to be really easy – that is, buying a wheelchair. All you needed to do was drop by a store selling them and select one suited your budget. But today, though have changed quite a lot.  The choice of motorized wheelchairs available is so vast today, it is sure to leave you confused, not knowing which will suit your needs and wallet.  From regular wheelchairs of the non-powered kind to motorized wheelchair models that come with a host of sophisticated features. This is what makes it tough to choose the right motorized wheel chair for you. You will be spoiled for choice, if you are seeking just the right wheelchair today. You can simplify the shopping process if you consider a few facts and ask yourself a few questions. Once you take into consideration these fact and answered those questions, the choice is not so difficult when it comes to buying a motorized or non-motorized wheelchair.

best-motorized-wheelchair

Which Wheelchair brand to choose?

Once you have made the decision as to whether or not you want a power chair, the next thing to consider is your weight. It has to be clear, the type of chair you need for what you weigh. Talk to your doctor or occupational therapist, who may be able to offer you valuable advice on buying the best wheelchair for your needs and weight requirements.
Next, once you have determined what type of chair you need – whether powered or not, are the features that you want to have with your wheelchair. Today, there are a lot of sophisticated electronics which come as part of a wheelchair. You should ensure that you get a wheelchair where you can adjust the height of the seat easily. Ask yourself if you need a cane holder. Do you need a wheelchair with a cup holder or a basket/backpack to carry your things. How active are you in the community? Do you need variable speed for traveling on the streets and within your community? Is the terrain that you have to cover smooth or rough with various elevations? Once you carefully consider all these facts and ask yourself some important questions, you are in the right position to buy the best powered wheelchair from the many various brands available.

Leading Motorized Wheelchair Brands

There are a few top brand motorized power wheelchairs to consider when shopping for a motorized wheelchair. There are, as said, so many choices available on the market today, it can get overwhelming. There are scores of manufacturers who offer sleek, highly functional models that aid in easy maneuverability and operation. With the choice being so extensive, sometimes choosing the right motorized wheelchair might seem a daunting task indeed. It need not be so, if you were to choose from the major brands. Take a look at these brands because they are well praised and reviewed. Once you have chosen a known tried and true brand name, you can be sure that you are buying both the name and the wheel chair that will be backed up with a guarantee and after sales service.

The Major Motorized Wheelchair Brands

Teftec Mobility is a leading brand that offers a range of motorized wheelchairs. These models come with many advanced features including adjustable seat height and a transmission steering system.

Drive Medical is another major brand that offers a variety of motorized wheelchair models. These models are known for their ease of use and maintenance.

Another leading name in the industry is Sunrise Medical, which is one of the largest manufacturers of home care products in the world. The company offers a range of models, suited to different needs and requirements.

I have written about other major manufacturers of motorized wheelchairs by the names of Invacare and Pride Mobility with their Jazzy wheelchair line.  These companies offer a wide range of wheelchairs in different sizes with various options and features available. These power wheelchairs can be steered with ease with the flick of a switch. Similarly, the seat height and recline can be easily adjusted using the controls that can be found on the side of the wheelchair.

Check out my motorized wheelchair review articles on this site.

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