Power Wheelchairs
Posted on 16. Feb, 2009 by Dave in Electric Wheelchairs
| Power Wheelchairs 9/10 People Pay Little Or Nothing For a New Power Wheel Chair. www.hoveround.com/wheelchairs |
|
Power wheelchairs are wheelchairs that are fitted with a battery or electrical device to eliminate the need to push the wheelchair manually. Power wheelchairs allow users to move around without any assistance and are also easier to maneuver in difficult surfaces such as grass. Power wheelchairs are suited for persons who do not have enough upper body strength to push themselves on manual wheelchairs but want the independence and mobility to move on their own without the assistance of another individual.
How To Choose Power Wheelchairs
Your choice of a power wheelchair will be dictated by a lot of factors which can include the size, the model of the wheelchair, where you are planning to be using it, your size, and a whole lot of other factors. Choosing power wheelchairs are especially trickier than choosing manual wheelchairs because power wheelchairs come with various features, tend to be bulkier and are more expensive than your standard manual wheelchairs.
Types of Power whelechairs
Wheelchair companies usually produce and sell three types of wheelchairs. These are transportable power wheelchairs, powerbase wheelchairs, and heavy duty power wheelchairs.
Transportable power wheelchairs are lighter, weighing less than 100 pounds and are called such because they are easier to transport and can be folded and disassembled in a matter of minutes. They are also smaller which makes navigating past narrow doorways and hallways an easy thing to do.
Powerbase wheelchairs are identified by their motor and wheel placement. Powerbase wheelchairs provide a very corrodible ride and a long battery life along with a tight turning radius for better maneuverability indoors. You also have a lot of options for suspension, driving and seating. Powerbase wheelchairs offer a more comfortable ride because they are designed with a low center of gravity. You can use suspension packages if you want to use your wheelchair outside. However, powerbase wheelchairs cannot be folded for storage and because of its weight, require ramps and lifts for transport.
If you encounter various types of surfaces every day you may want to go for heavy duty power wheelchairs. These are designed for almost any type of surface, including rugged surfaces. They have rear, front and mid-wheel drive options, and usually come with larger wheels to allow you to navigate rugged terrain. Heavy duty power wheelchairs also have larger motors and longer frames for increased torque.
All power wheelchairs come with comfortable seating which can be modified to lessen the risk of the development of pressure ulcers.
