A wheelchair can enhance your quality of life if you or a loved one has limited mobility by enabling you to remain active and engage in your favourite activities.
There are many different sorts of chairs to choose from, ranging from manual and electric to more specialised models made for sports and all terrain. We've included the benefits and drawbacks of each to aid in your decision, but it's also a good idea to consult a GP, physiotherapist, or occupational therapist for more individualised guidance.
Various wheelchair types
Manual wheelchairs and powered or electric wheelchairs are the two primary forms of wheelchairs.
1. Manual wheelchairs
A manual wheelchair might be your best option if you need a wheelchair for movement all the time or most of the time, or if you can walk but struggle to cover longer distances (perhaps with a walking stick or frame). Self-propelled and attendant-propelled models are the most prevalent.
Self-propelled manual wheelchairs are built for user propulsion. They feature larger back wheels, and each of them has a 'pushrim' on the outside that you may turn to steer and move the chair. Generally speaking, chairs with these wheels are bulkier and may be more difficult to put into a car's trunk. Because of this, it makes sense to look for a self-propelled chair with quick-release wheels.
2. Electric wheelchairs
If you don't have the strength or energy to operate a self-propelled wheelchair but don't want to rely on being pushed, electric wheelchairs, also known as power, electric-assisted, or motorised wheelchairs, can be a beneficial investment. They are be handy if you wish to use your wheelchair for longer distances.
Usually broken down into three categories: "indoor/portable," for usage indoors or in settings with level, smooth floors, including shopping malls or garden centres. 'Outdoor' has bigger wheels and better suspension to handle rocky terrain. And 'indoor/outdoor,' which are intended to bring the best of both worlds, won't be as light as certain models or as sturdy as others, but they might offer a decent balance of features.
3. Wheelchairs for transit
A transit wheelchair, which is essentially a lightweight wheelchair with a thinner chassis and small wheels, is another option you might want to think about. Instead of being self-propelled, they are typically pushed by an attendant to move someone over short distances.
4. Positioning wheelchairs
Wheelchairs with positioning capabilities allow the user to change positions while using the chair. These chairs typically have electric or battery-powered mobility and positioning systems. Different positioning wheelchair models and designs are available.
For instance, some wheelchairs for positioning can recline backward. Other wheelchairs allow the user to lift and lower their legs and feet. Other variations let the user automatically tilt in space. While some chairs can move in every direction, others can only be positioned in one way. There are only a few possibilities available in a wide range of different wheelchair types.
Utilising a positioning wheelchair to shift the user's body into various positions has numerous health benefits. For instance, reclining and modifying leg positioning aids in improving circulation and preventing harms like ulcers, sores, and wounds. Additionally, these can provide greater independence for those who have mobility issues.
5. Power wheelchairs that can stand
Some of the most amazing technological devices that contemporary science has produced are standing power wheelchairs. These chairs enable the user to transition automatically into a standing posture while remaining safe. Additionally, the user of a power standing wheelchair can travel around using the wheelchair's motorised wheel base.
For users with mobility issues, electric standing wheelchairs promise even more health advantages. People's health suffers when they are unable to stand because the human body was built to do so! With the help of motorised technology, power standing chairs give the distinctive capability for the user to easily move into a standing posture.
Additionally, users can stand at any time to reach objects, do tasks, and engage in eye contact in social situations, among many other things. The best power standing wheelchairs integrate features from different wheelchair types to provide users with the highest level of usefulness.
6. The Best Type of Wheelchair Overall
The wheelchair that best matches your unique demands is the correct chair for you because there are so many different types that serve different purposes. Having said that, there are various levels of comfort and quality within each style of wheelchair. The ideal wheelchair will provide the support you require while improving your general health.
There is only one wheelchair that provides the full spectrum of function across wheelchair categories in terms of adaptability, function, and dependability. The Redman Power Chair is that wheelchair. The only wheelchair that can function as a positioning wheelchair, standing wheelchair, all-terrain wheelchair, and even a paediatric wheelchair is this motorised standing wheelchair.
7. Paediatric wheelchairs
Wheelchairs for children are especially made for their use. Other types of chairs, such as manual, motorised, and specialty wheelchairs, fall under this category, but only those designed for children. Some specialised paediatric wheelchairs are made to fit particular mobility impairments so that kids with assistive technology can live independently.
The objective of paediatric wheelchairs is for kids to quickly get used to and feel secure using their chair. Additionally, paediatric wheelchairs must to be styled and designed as closely as feasible to the child's preferences. Paediatric wheelchairs that are colourful and well-adorned might boost the kid's self-esteem when dealing with other kids.
There are several wheelchair models available that might be worth looking into:
1. Wheelchairs designed for sports and other physical activities : These are lighter and more manoeuvrable. Additionally, they include unique characteristics including an anti-tip design that is useful for wheelchair basketball.
2. All-terrain wheelchairs: These are often strong and have bigger wheels so that you can easily navigate different surfaces, such as grass, sand, and snow.
3. Custom wheelchairs: These are made-to-order products. You can select particular features and designs, as well as the colour and finish, to make sure the item is made perfectly to match your body and your demands.