Odds are that at some time in your life you will be confronted with using or purchasing a mobility aid device. Thanks to my conversation with medical devices provider Mike Messer, I was able to prepare this very helpful article on manual wheelchairs, powered wheelchairs, and mobility scooters. Knowing the difference between these instruments is crucial if you are arranging a purchase so we sincerely hope that this info will be very helpful.
The two major types of manual wheelchairs are foldable frame wheelchairs and rigid style wheelchairs. Rigid frame wheelchairs include a seat back that folds up for transport. The wheels have axles that can be rapid released making it easy to permit them to fit into a automobile. Most people are able to load up their rigid wheelchair into a car without assistance, because they are made of lightweight aluminum and normally weigh a mere 10 to 20 pounds with out wheels. Foldable frame wheelchairs are standard wheelchairs or sometimes referred to as conventional wheelchairs. They are often weighty and sometimes hard for a user to load into a vehicle. They are constructed with a frame that may be easy to fold, but as described before, these sorts of chairs may require you to need assistance loading them into your car.
Electric wheelchairs commonly make use of belts and gears in order to operate. They are typically silent in their operation. Belt drive types require more routine maintenance than gear drive models. These models come in all shapes and sizes and greatly differ in their sturdiness. Light frame types usually are fantastic for indoor use while the heavy frame units fair better outside. There are back wheel drive models which are the most standard and popular. They provide poor turning abilities but have swifter speeds. There are Front wheel drive types which offer much better and tighter turning capabilities. Because of the ease of turning however, these units have a slower speed to insure safety. Mid wheel electric wheelchairs have the tightest turning abilities but also have the propensity to be unsteady when stopping and starting off. They use additional castor wheels and tip proof wheels but this may possibly make it harder to use these on harsh terrain.
Mobility scooters are the most preferred type of motorized chair. They come in three and four wheel versions and are available with front side and rear wheel drive. They are more affordable than electric wheelchairs and many are designed for their ease of mobility and ease of transport. They steer just like a bike and have controls that allow you to control speed. They are much lighter in weight and can be taken apart easily to transport around town. Front wheel Drive units can typically carry up to 150 lbs. and are made more for inside use while back wheel drive versions can carry a max of 250 to 500 pounds based on the model, and can better handle the outdoor surfaces if necessary.
Thanks a lot and I hope you discovered some valuable information from this article. Best of luck and I hope you are ready to make an informed decision when purchasing the mobility device that is best for you.
arnoldstansbury 