If you have limited mobility, a wheelchair can really help to improve the quality of your life and allow you to continue doing the things you most enjoy. By choosing the right wheelchair for you and your needs you are still able to have a social life and go out and enjoy yourself with friends, family and loved ones, but how do you know which is the right one for you?
Essentially, there are two main types of wheelchairs – manual and electric. A manual wheelchair would typically be suitable for people who need help with mobility both indoors and outdoors, or for those whose mobility is better, but just not able to manage longer distances.
Electric or motorised wheelchairs are ideal for people who don’t have the physical strength to use a manual wheelchair, or if you want to use the wheelchair for a much longer journey.
There are a number of factors you need to consider before investing in a manual wheelchair specifically.
Overall Weight
The weight of a wheelchair is very important if you are going to be transporting it in a car. The lighter the frame the easier it will be to lift in and out of a car. It will also be easier to push the wheelchair as being lighter makes the chair easy to manoeuvre.
Storage
Most wheelchairs will fold upwards to close – some may even have detachable footrests, arms and wheels which helps for easy storage.
Frequency of Use
The number of times you are planning on using the wheelchair will also be a large factor in deciding which type of wheelchair to buy. Some wheelchairs are designed specifically for small, short trips, and others are suited to more frequent and constant use.
Buying a wheelchair can be life-changing for you. We provide both new and used manual and electric wheelchairs and offer the option of part-exchange or buying your old wheelchair from you. If you would like more information on choosing the right wheelchair for your needs, please give our experts a call. They will be more than happy to talk through your requirements and find the right wheelchair for you. We also offer both new and used manual and electric wheelchairs