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With so many designs and types of wheelchairs, choosing one can be quite daunting. Here is useful advice to make your choice easier, as well as some practical tips from other wheelchair users.
There are three main types of wheelchairs, namely self-propelled, attendant-propelled and electric or powered versions. Each one has its own features, benefits and drawbacks, so make sure you choose one that's suitable for your particular needs. Importantly, check out what's available and try before you buy!
Firstly, give some thought about how, when and where you'll need to use a wheelchair. It’s essential that a wheelchair is comfortable, practical and enhances your mobility. Consult your physio- or occupational therapist for advice. He/she will assess important factors such as your age, body type, endurance as well as level and type of injury/illness before recommending the chair best suited to your particular disability or needs.
Start off by asking yourself these questions:
• How much time do you spend in your wheelchair?
• Will you be using the wheelchair indoors or will you also want to use it outdoors?
• Are you an active participant in wheelchair sports activities?
• Do you have a good hand grip and enough strength to propel yourself, or will you always need assistance?
• Is it important to have a chair that's small, lightweight and easy to disassemble, so that you can easily load it in and out of a car?
Types of wheelchairs
Self-propelled wheelchairs: If you have good upper body strength and are able to propel yourself without assistance, this could be a good choice to maintain your independence. Consider where you'll be using it – for example, this type of wheelchair will move more easily on indoor surfaces such as tiles or wooden floors, but it may be difficult to manoeuvre on thick pile carpets. And if you live in a hilly area, propelling yourself outside might be difficult.
Attendant-propelled: Not all wheelchair-bound people are able to propel and steer a chair on their own, so if this applies to you, an attendant-propelled model might be the most feasible choice. There are many different designs and features available. For example, wheelchairs with larger back wheels handle kerbs and uneven ground better, while those with smaller back wheels are lighter and easier to transport. Since you'll need help from another person, also consider choosing a lightweight model that folds down easily to fit into the boot of a car.
Electric wheelchairs: Also known as powered chairs, these are perfect for those who want to retain their independence but may not have enough strength to handle a self-propelled chair. Electric wheelchairs are battery operated. With many good all-terrain versions available, they make it easy to get around outdoors. While they offer a comfortable ride, some versions are heavy and may not be easily transportable in a car.
In addition to the earlier considerations, you should also consider the following when choosing a wheelchair:
• Check whether the wheelchair has a fixed frame or folds up.
• If you like the idea of customising your chair, look at different colour options and customised models.
• Ask whether the wheelchair has armrests or a neck support and whether they're removable.
• Check on the type of seat, whether it can be elevated and whether you need a specialist cushion to place onto the chair.
• Consider the most suitable type of footrests (e.g. rigid, “swing away”, with leg rests or providing leg elevation).
• If you need an electric wheelchair, enquire about its speed. Also ask how long wheelchair batteries last between charges and if they're easily available.
Make sure that you purchase your chair from a reputable supplier. Also enquire about warranties on the chair and frame, whether the supplier will service it, and if it will consider a partial exchange if you have an old wheelchair and want to replace it with a newer version.
Remember to take your time and get as much advice as you can. Don’t be hasty and buy the first chair you see; rather try out various designs and types. Compare different supplier prices and after-sales services.
Since you may be spending a lot of time in your chair, it makes sense to find the one that's right for you.
Some tips from other wheelchair users
• Make a list of things you want/need on a wheelchair chair and cross reference them with chairs to see which ticks the most boxes.
• Ensure you've been properly assessed and measured by a qualified physical therapist or competent health professional.
• Once you've narrowed down your choice, ask to take some chairs for a “test run” to assess which one will be best for your specific situation.
• Armrests are sometimes helpful to relieve pressure, but if you prefer more arm and shoulder freedom, consider getting removable ones.
• If you have low blood pressure, need to change your posture or find it necessary to rest during the day, choose a wheelchair with a reclining back.
• If you intend using your chair in different environments, make sure it's lightweight and easy to fold up so it can be lifted in and out of a car.
• If you're physically active, consider a chair with a lower back profile to avoid interference with the upper back and shoulder muscles.
• Gloves are a necessity – they protect your hands from the wear and tear of pushing. The friction offered by gloves also reduces the need to grip so hard.
• Electric wheelchairs help to preserve your energy, enabling you to do other everyday chores.
There are three main types of wheelchairs, namely self-propelled, attendant-propelled and electric or powered versions. Each one has its own features, benefits and drawbacks, so make sure you choose one that's suitable for your particular needs. Importantly, check out what's available and try before you buy!
Firstly, give some thought about how, when and where you'll need to use a wheelchair. It’s essential that a wheelchair is comfortable, practical and enhances your mobility. Consult your physio- or occupational therapist for advice. He/she will assess important factors such as your age, body type, endurance as well as level and type of injury/illness before recommending the chair best suited to your particular disability or needs.
Start off by asking yourself these questions:
• How much time do you spend in your wheelchair?
• Will you be using the wheelchair indoors or will you also want to use it outdoors?
• Are you an active participant in wheelchair sports activities?
• Do you have a good hand grip and enough strength to propel yourself, or will you always need assistance?
• Is it important to have a chair that's small, lightweight and easy to disassemble, so that you can easily load it in and out of a car?
Types of wheelchairs
Self-propelled wheelchairs: If you have good upper body strength and are able to propel yourself without assistance, this could be a good choice to maintain your independence. Consider where you'll be using it – for example, this type of wheelchair will move more easily on indoor surfaces such as tiles or wooden floors, but it may be difficult to manoeuvre on thick pile carpets. And if you live in a hilly area, propelling yourself outside might be difficult.
Attendant-propelled: Not all wheelchair-bound people are able to propel and steer a chair on their own, so if this applies to you, an attendant-propelled model might be the most feasible choice. There are many different designs and features available. For example, wheelchairs with larger back wheels handle kerbs and uneven ground better, while those with smaller back wheels are lighter and easier to transport. Since you'll need help from another person, also consider choosing a lightweight model that folds down easily to fit into the boot of a car.
Electric wheelchairs: Also known as powered chairs, these are perfect for those who want to retain their independence but may not have enough strength to handle a self-propelled chair. Electric wheelchairs are battery operated. With many good all-terrain versions available, they make it easy to get around outdoors. While they offer a comfortable ride, some versions are heavy and may not be easily transportable in a car.
In addition to the earlier considerations, you should also consider the following when choosing a wheelchair:
• Check whether the wheelchair has a fixed frame or folds up.
• If you like the idea of customising your chair, look at different colour options and customised models.
• Ask whether the wheelchair has armrests or a neck support and whether they're removable.
• Check on the type of seat, whether it can be elevated and whether you need a specialist cushion to place onto the chair.
• Consider the most suitable type of footrests (e.g. rigid, “swing away”, with leg rests or providing leg elevation).
• If you need an electric wheelchair, enquire about its speed. Also ask how long wheelchair batteries last between charges and if they're easily available.
Make sure that you purchase your chair from a reputable supplier. Also enquire about warranties on the chair and frame, whether the supplier will service it, and if it will consider a partial exchange if you have an old wheelchair and want to replace it with a newer version.
Remember to take your time and get as much advice as you can. Don’t be hasty and buy the first chair you see; rather try out various designs and types. Compare different supplier prices and after-sales services.
Since you may be spending a lot of time in your chair, it makes sense to find the one that's right for you.
Some tips from other wheelchair users
• Make a list of things you want/need on a wheelchair chair and cross reference them with chairs to see which ticks the most boxes.
• Ensure you've been properly assessed and measured by a qualified physical therapist or competent health professional.
• Once you've narrowed down your choice, ask to take some chairs for a “test run” to assess which one will be best for your specific situation.
• Armrests are sometimes helpful to relieve pressure, but if you prefer more arm and shoulder freedom, consider getting removable ones.
• If you have low blood pressure, need to change your posture or find it necessary to rest during the day, choose a wheelchair with a reclining back.
• If you intend using your chair in different environments, make sure it's lightweight and easy to fold up so it can be lifted in and out of a car.
• If you're physically active, consider a chair with a lower back profile to avoid interference with the upper back and shoulder muscles.
• Gloves are a necessity – they protect your hands from the wear and tear of pushing. The friction offered by gloves also reduces the need to grip so hard.
• Electric wheelchairs help to preserve your energy, enabling you to do other everyday chores.
