Find the Most Detailed Information on an Electric Wheelchair

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Electric Wheelchair

Hello, I'm Stephanie. I would love to have the opportunity to share with you my knowledge on the electric wheelchair market and it's products.

Having recently purchased a new electric wheelchair, I have undertaken significant research into the electric wheelchair market and evaluated a broad range of the latest models.

Below I have taken the time to share with you even more information about an electric wheelchair, and what you can expect after purchasing an electric wheelchair.
 
     

Tips on Buying an Electric Wheelchair
electric wheelchair one  
Nowadays, you have a choice between a manual and an electric wheel chair.  Of course, both provide the same function of providing for more freedom and independence of movement for mobility-challenged individuals. 

However, the electric type is almost always preferred today, budget notwithstanding, because of its ease of operation, greater convenience and durable construction, among other advantages. 
However, not all electric wheelchairs are manufactured equal, so to speak.  You have to choose the right electric wheelchair for you in order to get more mileage out of it and, hence, more value for your money.  Fortunately, there are steps that you and your family can adopt to determine the right one for you.  Be prepared to choose from many models, which can indeed be a double-edged sword. 

Budget Considerations
As can be expected, an electric wheel chair is more expensive than its manual counterpart because of the numerous electronic and mechanical features as well as other comfort features present.  You can expect to pay at least $5,000 on a basic model with some types selling for as high as $30,000 apiece. 

Thus, it is very important to look at your budget so that you can narrow down your choices at the very start. 
The good news is that your health insurance provider may shoulder part of the cost of the electric mobility device under certain conditions.  Basically, you must be able to prove that the wheelchair is a medical necessity in your daily life, not just for recreation or leisure purposes. 

Choice of Features
You should choose your electric wheel chair based on the features you want as these relate to your physical needs.  After all, what good is a mobility device when it does not perform its functions as it pertains to you, its owner?

Thus, you need to look at the height and back support of the wheelchair to determine their suitability to your physical limitations.  For example, if you have little upper body strength, then a back support that can be tilted at a 45-degree angle works best for you.  If possible, you should ask your physical therapist for recommendations. 

The most important part of the electric wheel chair, however, is the control system.  You have many choices in this matter, of which the final one will, again, depend on your physical limitations. 

For example, if you have arm and hand control, then a control system operated by a joystick is the one for you.  However, if you are unable to move your arms, then a control system running on cues from your head or upper body is your best buy.

You can have a standard electric mobility device customized to your needs. Thus, the padding, height and even color of the wheelchair can be personalized - at an additional cost, of course.

However, before you even think of customizing the wheelchair, you have to take it on a test drive.  This should help you make the final decision.  Most reliable manufacturers allow this customer privilege albeit for a limited time so take advantage of it.

Buying the right kind of electric mobility device for you takes a little research, a little effort and a little money, thanks, to Medicare and health insurance.  The rewards, however, are anything but little for truly an electric wheel chair can change your life for the better. 

 
 

Types of Electric Wheelchair to Choose From
electric wheelchair two  
The best thing about living in the 21st century is that we have many choices in many things, thus, enabling us to make an investment worthy of our time, effort and money.  The same is true when it comes to choosing the best electric wheel chair for your needs.
The range of electric mobility devices are so many that it can be considered a double-edged sword.  On one hand, you will find something for everybody.  On the other hand, you can become confused just comparing the numerous models of electric wheelchairs available. 

Well, why be confused when you can simplify things?  The range of electric wheelchairs can be classified into the following types, from which you can narrow down your final choice. 

Front Wheel Drive
If you are looking for an electric mobility device that will work well in different types of terrains, slopes and surfaces, then the front wheel drive type is your best bet.  You can use it for outdoor activities in just about any setting, even sports in some instances.  Just remember that a front wheel drive electric wheel chair can be unstable at high speeds. 

Center Wheel Drive
Because of its tight turning radius and ease in execution of maneuvers, the center wheel drive electric wheelchair is best suited for novices and for individuals who want an indoor mobility device.  Also, its caster wheels on the front and back provide for outstanding balance and stable center of gravity.  Still, it pays to be careful when going downhill and uphill. 

Rear Wheel Drive
This is the most common and most stable as well as the fastest models in the market today.  In fact, you can conduct wheelchairs races in it and come out the winner, all other things being equal, if you are so inclined.  Also, the anti-tip feature of this type of electric wheel chair ensures that you will not fall backwards when climbing ramps and hills.  However, you might want to take note of its small turning radius and lesser maneuverability.
  
Heavy Duty
In acknowledgement of the fact that heavier and larger individuals also need their own mobility devices, manufacturers continue to develop heavy duty wheelchairs aimed specifically at this marker segment. These wheelchairs can carry as much as 650 pounds of bodyweight, thanks to reinforced supports, as well as offer wider chairs. 

Folding Wheelchair
If you want the convenience of a portable wheelchair with the full features of a conventional electric wheelchair, then the folding type is the one for you.  With this type of electric wheel chair, you can adjust the seats, armrests and backrest in addition to the fact that it can perform very well in various outdoor situations. 

Travel Wheelchair
As the name implies, a travel wheelchair is very portable and, hence, can be taken to places that the heavier models cannot.  Thus, it is preferred by vacationers since it can fit well into the trunk of a car or be sufficiently lightweight as to avoid extra charges on airplanes.  However, a travel wheelchair is not appropriate for everyday use, no thanks to its lightweight components.

So, now that you know the basic types of the electric wheel chair, you can choose which one suits your needs and preferences the best.  Of course, you should also take out the wheelchair for a test drive to assess its durability, convenience and comfort.

 
 
     
 
 
     

Tips on Using the Electric Wheel Chair for First-Timers
electric wheelchair three  
In the olden days, the manual wheelchair provided for greater movement for mobility-challenged individuals albeit with significant limitations.  For one thing, it does not allow an individual with little to no arm control to become more independent as a wheelchair pusher was necessary.  For another thing, even if you do have arm strength, you will soon tire of wheeling yourself around. 
Fortunately for you and thousands of others, the electric wheel chair comes to the rescue.  It does not require too much arm strength since it is a motorized form of transport requiring only a small change in the control system to move it forward or backward.  With that being the case, you should start learning how to operate it, with the following tips as your basic guide.

Ask for Help
During your first few tries, you will need the help of a family member or a close friend to operate the electric wheelchair. Of course, their assistance will come in the form of providing guidance on its operations mainly from their understanding of the instructions manual.  Plus, it is fun learning something new when you have someone to share the experience with. 

Practice Both Indoors and Outdoors
Many an electric wheel chair is designed to perform indoors and outdoors in a variety of slopes and terrains.  As such, it pays to practice in both settings just to become familiar with the response time of the controls, the wheelchair's capabilities and limitations especially in terms of stability, speed and turning radius, as well as your comfort level with them.

Tips on practice include the following: 
• Keep your hands and knees within the framework of the wheelchair especially when negotiating tight doorways and turns.  This ought to keep your limbs safe from scrapes, pinches and other injuries.
 
• Move in reverse instead of always moving forward.  This should help you in future situations where there is very little room to move forward such as narrow turns in hallways and doorways. 

• Test the capability of the electric wheel chair in terms of rotation on its axis by moving one wheel forward and the other wheel in reverse. 

• Be comfortable with the speed levels as well as the brakes.  You want to be able to estimate the response time between pressing on the controls and the unit actually responding to the command.  Try to start off slow before gaining more speed. 
 
More importantly, you should practice first in an open area free of traffic before progressing to an area filled with various objects to navigate around in.  This way, you can get practice in a gradual but sure manner. 

Adjust the Features
Assuming that you purchased a standard electric wheel chair, you have to adjust some of its features until you feel that you are comfortable operating it.  For example, if the height can be adjusted to suit your physical stature, then have a friend adjust it. 

If you still feel uncomfortable, it may be that you are not applying proper posture.  Thus, you have to sit upright with both feet placed firmly on the pedals.  You may also use a gel seat cushion to protect your bottom from pressure points. 

You will soon discover that with practice, you can almost perfect the daily operation of your electric wheel chair.  Soon enough, the benefits of greater mobility can be yours to enjoy.

 
 

All About the Electric Wheel Chair
electric wheelchair four  
The electric wheel chair has only been around since World War II with its invention by George Klein ostensibly to help injured veterans of the war.  Today, it still continues to assist individuals with mobility issues aside from those injured during wartime and peacetime.  Of course, many advances have been made since the first electric type wheelchair, thanks to modern science and technology. 
Advantages
Before the advent of electric mobility devices, the manual wheelchair was the main form of transport for mobility-challenged individuals.  It has its advantages, of course, but it suffered in comparison with its electric counterparts in many ways. 

First, with a manual wheelchair, you will need another person to push the device when you have little to no arm strength and control and when you tire of pushing yourself along.  Thus, you were likely to be bound to others, which do not speak well for greater independence. With an electric wheel chair, however, you can move along by yourself just by using the joystick and other controls. 

Second, you have many features to choose from and enjoy with the electric wheelchairs.  Now, contrast this with the manual wheelchair where the wheel is just about the only significant feature that differs from one model to the next.

Indeed, the electric wheelchair provide for greater mobility, greater safety and greater benefits.

Types
There are three basic categories of electric wheelchairs depending on their drive mechanism. 

• Front Wheel Drive - This has better road grip even in many types of slopes and surfaces although it is not known for stability at faster speeds. 
• Center Wheel Drive - This offers the tightest turning radius and surest balance but is known for being unstable during starts and stops.
• Rear Wheel Drive - This is the fastest and the most stable in the market but possesses little turning radius. 
 
An electric wheel chair may also come in either of three battery types - wet, gel and absorbed glass mat.  If you have money to spare, the absorbed glass mat is the best choice because it is more durable and more economical in the long run.

You can also choose from either the sling seat or the captain's chair.  The former mimics the seat of the manual wheelchair while the latter looks more like an automobile seat. 

Accessories
Just like cars, electric wheelchairs come with many accessories that provide for more value to the units.  Of course, you will be spending more for these accessories but the benefits to be enjoyed can often offset the costs involved. 

You may choose from basic accessories like batteries, bearings and axles to luxurious accessories such as foot rests, padded cushions, cup holders, safety belts, adjustable backrests and even holders for small oxygen tanks.  In many ways, your electric wheel chair can be as jazzed up as you want it to be.

In conclusion, the use of electric wheelchairs have made it possible for many individuals and their families to live more normal lives characterized by greater freedom of movement and independence.  The trick is in choosing the right electric wheel chair for you but that is for another article.