Wheel Chair Types

The world of wheel chairs is larger than you think. One of the most common ways people categorize the different kinds is by the type of power they use: there are the manual ones and there are the electric ones. Electric ones are also often simply called “powered”.

Some are designed for special purposes such as allowing a disabled person to maneuver in the bathroom or in the shower. Ones such as these and those for use in a sport are distinctive from the kind used for more general use. In fact its not uncommon for a wheel chair user to have a small “fleet” of wheel chairs each for different purposes.

The first one you buy, even if it won’t be the only one, needs to be suited for general service.

If the disability only involves the legs then go for a manual one if at all possible. The reason is the same as why people are encouraged to bicycle and work out even if they have sit down jobs. The movement is in your best interests. However slight it may be, it is giving you a chance to get a little exercise.

In the case that someone has suffered from a severe onset of muscular dystrophy or some other radically debilitating disorder. For such people, the electric powered wheel chairs with greater neck support may be needed.

You may want to look into sports wheel chairs to encourage a lot of physical activity even though you are confined to a wheel chair. To avoid unnecessary muscle atrophy and many other conditions, remaining as active as possible is always top priority for wheel chair users.

Manual wheel chairs tend to be lighter. Some are designed to be transportable more effectively than others. The axles are designed to enable wheel folding and collapse of the total structure. Electric wheel chairs are more likely to also require special vehicles for transport. For wealthier clientele this can be viewed as both fun and as a wise investment. For those with lower budgets it might make the decision for you to buy a manual wheel chair.

There are wheel chairs to facilitate numerous diverse purposes. Some of these are the manual kinds. These range in types meant to enable people to take the pram/strollers out for a walk and types to make people able to participate in hiking experiences. While prices vary, a high end rehab wheel chair can cost as much as $40,000.00 while a manual wheel chair can be as inexpensive as just a few hundred dollars.

Luckily, medicare helps to offset most of the costs of attaining a wheel chair. With medicare paying as much as 80% of the total costs of a wheel chair, while insurance generally picks up the remainder, getting a wheel chair has never been easier.

Nathan Mattel is a consultant primarily working with patients requesting a San Diego wheelchair. With over 15 years of experience in manual and electric wheel chair consulting for the San Diego California disability community, he can help you find the right wheelchair for you or your loved one.