Tips For Buying A Manual Wheelchair

By Author: Adam Nicolson
Total Articles: 475
Comment this article

Today, many people use electric wheelchairs. However, there is still a place for manual wheelchairs. Many people, with mobility issues, own both.

Things to Consider before Buying

When buying a wheelchair comfort is a big consideration. You need to bear in mind that you could be spending up to 14 hours a day in your wheelchair. The last thing you need is to find that the wheelchair you have bought does not provide adequate support. If you are buying a wheelchair for someone else, or for the first time, it is very important to seek professional advice. Reading up about manual wheelchairs on forums is another good move. Doing so will give you more ideas of what to look for and consider. This advice is often available from people with exactly the same mobility issues as you, so is truly relevant.

Given the fact that you will be using your wheelchair all day every day means that it is important to buy a good quality chair. Buying a cheap one, with no warranty is a false economy.

Consider how you will be using your wheelchair. If you drive a car, you may need a wheelchair you can fold up with one hand. ...
... Some manual wheelchairs do not fold down at all. These are really only suitable for use in the home.

It is important to think about the kind of terrain the wheelchair will be used on. Some wheelchairs are not designed to be self propelled as well as pushed. Those that are self-propelled tend to be too low to be pushed for any length of time. It is important to think about this in when buying a manual wheelchair. You need a chair that is suitable for the way you will be using it for the majority of the time.

Why Manual Wheelchairs are still popular with Young Users

Younger people often prefer to use a manual wheelchair rather than an electric one. They are generally more compact and lighter. This makes them more agile and easier to manoeuvre in tight spaces. Manual wheelchairs can be folded up and transported far more easily than electric wheelchairs. The fact they do not need charging means they are ready for use at any time. There is no limit on how far a person can travel in a manual wheelchair.

To find out more about all kinds of wheelchairs, including manual wheelchairs visit the http://www.simplelifemobility.co.uk website.