Inside your home, you may be able to move around using a rollator or walking stick but things can sometimes get more challenging outside the home where longer distances are involved eg going to the shops, visiting a restaurant, a trip to the park or for a doctor’s appointment. This may mean that a wheelchair may be the answer but which is the correct one?
Types of Wheelchair
There are three main types of wheelchair available:
- A manual wheelchair
- A folding wheelchair
- A powered wheelchair
Manual Wheelchairs
As the name suggests, a manual wheelchair is one which is manually operated, either by the user who will use their upper body strength to move the chair by turning the wheels, or by another person who pushes the chair from behind.
Manual wheelchairs don’t need batteries and they are much lighter in weight than battery-operated models and so easier to transport.
Wheelchairs have a user weight limit and so, for the much larger person, a heavy duty frame can cater for up to 350 lbs (159 kg) weight. Made with double cross braces, stronger tubes and heavy duty upholstery, such wheelchairs are more durable.
The Folding Wheelchair
If you have an active social life and enjoy being out and about, a folding wheelchair is the perfect option. Folding wheelchairs can be folded up and disassembled into two pieces. This makes it easy to place them in the boot of a car and assembly only takes a few seconds.
Steel folding wheelchairs are heavier than aluminium models – a steel wheelchair typically weights 18 kg whereas an aluminium wheelchair weighs just 14 kg. So a lightweight aluminium wheelchair is the easiest to lift and fold up.
Aidapt Steel Compact Transit Wheelchair
Aidapt Lightweight Aluminium Wheelchair
Remember to think about your lifestyle too. If you are a younger person and are full of energy, then a sports style wheelchair may be the answer. Whereas a more conventional wheelchair may be appropriate for an older person.
Powered Wheelchairs
This is the most expensive option but it does not rely on any manual effort to get around. The Pride Go Chair is a popular choice of a powered wheelchair. As it is powered by 20ah gel batteries, this makes it a heavier wheelchair but it is excellent in providing independent travelling when outdoors as long as you have the upper body ability to manage the steering.
Pride Go-Chair
Be careful to check the battery’s maximum mileage capacity, so as to be able to keep on top of charging the battery before heading out. Charging the battery overnight is a good plan but don’t leave the battery plugged in for long periods of time as this can damage the battery and shorten its life.
Mobility Scooters
A mobility scooter is another option for assisting with mobility outside the home. There are two main types:
- A class 2 mobility scooter such as a Pride Go Go Sport can reach a maximum speed of 4mph and can be used on the pavements. It can also be dismantled and transported in a car boot.
- A class 3 mobility scooter such as a Pride Colt Pursuit can reach a speed of 8mph and can be used on roads as well as pavements. If used on pavements, the maximum speed to be used is 4mph.
To try out a mobility scooter and see if it is right for you, you could even hire a scooter for a few weeks as a first step.
Get measured
Just like when buying a new coat, there are many different sizes available. It’s just the same with buying a wheelchair, there are different sizes available so it is important to be measured to ensure that the correct size of wheelchair is purchased. Different colours and designs are available too.
Optional extras for your wheelchair and mobility scooter
Get ready for the weather too. Not every day is sunny, so consider purchasing a wheelchair poncho or a wheelchair mac with sleeves for those rainy days. A mobility scooter tiller cover is useful too as it protects the scooter’s electronic panel from wind and rain. A crutch/stick holder and an oxygen tank holder are also available too.
Wheelchair Poncho
Wheelchair Mac With Sleeves
Mobility Scooter Tiller Cover
Selecting the right wheelchair or mobility scooter is a difficult decision in order to keep on the move outside the home. Rest assured that help is at hand with the expert team at Bann Mobility. With over 20 years in the industry, Bann Mobility will be able to give guidance about what is right for you. Simply call into their showroom at Carn Industrial Estate, Portadown or telephone 028 3833 5771 today to find out more.
Recent news from Bann Mobility
