How to Buy The Right Wheelchair And Its Accessories

1. customerservice@essentialaids.com How to Buy The Right Wheelchair And Its Accessories As a person grows older, they may start having issues with walking, balancing and standing. Similarly, a person who has become temporarily immobile due to an accident or a disease can also have problems standing for long periods. In such scenarios, a mobility aid can be of great help to move around independently and confidently. One such mobility aid is a wheelchair. https://www.essentialaids.com

2. customerservice@essentialaids.com If you are planning to ​buy a wheelchair​, you need to be well informed when choosing its model and accessories. With a wide range of wheelchairs out in the market, choosing the right model may be a bit tricky. So, it is important to understand which points to consider while buying a wheelchair. Things to Consider while Buying and Using a Wheelchair 1 ) Consult a physiotherapist Whenever you need to buy a wheelchair, the first thing you should do is to consult a professional. They will assess your body type, posture, and strength. Accordingly, they'll guide you on which type of wheelchair would be suitable for you. 2 ) Performance of the Wheelchair The performance of a wheelchair depends on a number of factors. ● Weight and Foldability The weight of a wheelchair plays a crucial role in its performance. It impacts both its ease of use and transportation. https://www.essentialaids.com

3. customerservice@essentialaids.com Besides the weight of a wheelchair, its foldability is also important to consider. You can easily take a foldable wheelchair anywhere with you by placing it in the boot of a car. This makes it suitable for transportation over long distances. ● Durability The longevity of a wheelchair depends on the level of stress it can withstand. So, always go for popular brands when buying a wheelchair. You can consult your physiotherapist for this as well. They may suggest a few good brand names to you. ● Stability The reason for considering stability while buying a wheelchair is that an unstable chair may tip over on slopes or slanted surfaces. To ensure stability, the tip-angle of the wheelchair should be as small as possible. Furthermore, the load on its rear wheels should be as high as possible. ● Manoeuvrability The minimum space a wheelchair requires to turn around, the better is its manoeuvrability. A wheelchair with a https://www.essentialaids.com

4. customerservice@essentialaids.com minimum turn-around width is most suitable for tight spaces like public toilets, office cubicles, or narrow corridors. 3) Sitting Comfort ● Seat Width The seat should be wide enough to accommodate your posterior properly. It should let you move and reposition freely without increasing the risk of developing pressure ulcers. As a general rule of thumb, it should be equal to the distance between the widest part of your thighs plus around 2 cm on either side. ● Back Width and Backrest Height Generally, the back width should be equal to the widest part of your back for maximum comfort. The backrest height should be as per your convenience. If you need minimal support to sit, you can set the backrest's height up to the bottom of your shoulder blade. And in case of more support, keep it up to the top of the https://www.essentialaids.com

5. customerservice@essentialaids.com shoulder blade. 4 ) Wheelchair Accessories It is always good to equip your wheelchair with some useful wheelchair accessories​ to get the most out of it. Here are some common accessories to equip your wheelchair with: ● Safety Belt Some people like to use a safety lap belt. It is useful as it prevents you from falling out of the wheelchair on rough ground. ● Backpack It comes in handy as it lets you carry things around. Be it a food item, water bottle or a small umbrella; https://www.essentialaids.com

6. customerservice@essentialaids.com you can store them all. ● Table Tray A wheelchair tray is of great help to anyone who uses a wheelchair. You can use it for meals, books, laptops, etc. This makes it a practical accessory for day-to-day use. ● Gloves Wheelchair gloves prevent damage to your skin or hands from self-propelling, starting, and stopping the wheelchair. They also provide a firm grip in wet weather. ● Rain Cover or Poncho It is important in the winter as it protects you from getting wet when it is raining. Summing Up Whenever you need to buy a wheelchair, considering the above points would help buy a suitable device. It is equally advisable to consider using wheelchair accessories as required to enhance its utility. https://www.essentialaids.com