What type of wheelchairs are there

One of the key reasons behind the high cost of basketball wheelchairs is the material used during their production and assembly. Hard and strong metals like Titanium are used and this costs a fair bit. Example: Invacare Basketball Wheelchair. An average wheelchair is difficult to maneuver on the sand, because the wheels of the chair are thin in design. This is why Beach wheelchairs are the ideal type for those who use a wheelchair yet love the sea and the beaches.

These wheelchairs are designed with wide tires to function in sandy environments and are available both in manual and electric forms. However, the cons of this wheelchair include the high cost and the difficulty in transporting due to its excessive weight. Thankfully, there are many beaches in the USA where free beach wheelchairs are offered for hire! It is no wonder that not all wheelchairs will be the right fit for every individual, and there is no universally accepted measurement for them either!

The sizes and requirements of people from region to region and overtime change. The sizes of these types of wheelchairs are customizable according to the body type, body size, body weight and the special requirements of any individual.

The price of such custom-made wheelchairs will vary according to the material and technology used to make them. If you want a custom wheelchair made, there are many companies out there that offer this service. One of our favorites is Sunrise Medical in California. Motorized and electric wheelchairs prove an excellent type of chair for those who lack the necessary upper body strength to maneuver a manual wheelchair.

Electric wheelchairs come with an array of different features and the possibility of modifications according to any special requirements.

However, electric wheelchairs are not suitable for wet environments and can be more expensive to maintain and repair than manual wheelchairs. Electric wheelchairs are among the most expensive types of medical equipment — but there are affordable options, such as the EZ Lite Cruiser Deluxe D Mobility scooters are arguably a type of electric wheelchair.

However, they are configured more like a motor-scooter and more suitable for outdoor travel. Ergonomic wheelchairs are particularly engineered to adapt an array of requirements wheelchair users face in their daily lives and aim to reduce the efforts in operating and maneuvering a wheelchair. Also, these wheelchairs are made from strong metals such as Titanium and aircraft grade aluminum for maximum durability and light weight. Folding wheelchairs are specifically designed to be stored in small places and are ideal for travel enthusiasts.

The lightweight design and foldable feature provide real-time mobility for the user. It is easy to store foldable wheelchairs in the trunk of a car or even a cupboard. Heavy Duty wheelchairs, also known as Bariatric wheelchairs, are designed to support weight capacities of as high as pounds — solid enough to carry any individual. Standard wheelchairs are designed only to accommodate weights of up to around pounds, and heavy-duty wheelchairs make it easier for individuals with large body structures and weights to use a wheelchair without any complications.

However, heavy-duty wheelchairs are not made out of light weight metals such as alloy or titanium but generally from the strong classic steel, which makes this type of wheelchair a bit heavier and difficult to transport. Hemi height wheelchairs are designed to adjust their height as for the comfort and the requirements of the user. Built specifically on a dual axle frame to allow these height adjustments, Hemi height wheelchairs are suitable for a person of any height.

They are especially ideal for individuals with a height below five 5 feet, which makes them suitable for minors and children as well. These wheelchairs are ideally designed for maximum mobility and portability. The lightweight and ultra-lightweight frames are supported by strong, light materials such as alloys and Titanium during production.

Usually, these wheelchairs come with foldable designs, which makes them easier for individuals with constant travel needs. What must be noted about these super-light wheelchairs is that due to their particular materials, they can be relatively expensive. Although a great example of an affordable option is the Featherweight Wheelchair from Wheelchair.

Manual wheelchairs are the traditional, standard, non-motorized type of wheelchair. They do not use any electricity for their functioning, and this makes them more durable and affordable than their automated electric counterparts. In addition to this, as the manual wheelchair is less complicated than other types, they are easy to use and easy to maintain and repair.

Maintenance costs are significantly lower than with non-manual wheelchairs. Self-propelled manual wheelchairs have large wheels that can be reached by the user to propel themselves forward and move around independently. Assisted Manual Wheelchairs, otherwise known as Transport Wheelchairs, though similar to traditional wheelchairs, have a variety of differences.

Devices like respirators, custom controls, and more exist for motorized wheelchairs, and these can assist those with more severe disabilities.

On their downside, they tend to carry a far bigger price tag then their manual brethren. Additionally, because of their advanced electrical components, they could require more maintenance and repairs. Due to their bulky size, it can also be difficult to fit these wheelchairs in certain openings, such as a wheelchair accessible vehicle , as well as transport them. Manual wheelchairs are more in the "old reliable" category. They're sturdy and affordable, but often lack the modern innovations that people like.

Both manual and electric wheelchairs break into a series of sub-categories with each wheelchair catered for a different want or need. The "classic" manual wheelchair requires someone to propel it by spinning the wheels using their arms. These are the kinds of wheelchairs you often see in hospitals and rehabilitation facilities.

Variations of this model like the heavy-duty or bariatric wheelchair exist too: this helps to make the wheelchair more comfortable and accommodating for larger people. Lightweight versions exist as well, sacrificing some user comfort for a chair that goes into vehicles with ease. For the athlete, there are also sports wheelchairs. Designed for specific sports , one popular type is a three-wheeled "bike" of sorts used for racing and similar activities.

More standard-looking wheelchairs hit the field for activities like basketball, but have added features like larger rims and more stable seating. But what if the person you're looking to get a wheelchair for is your kid or another child? Then your answer lies in the pediatric wheelchair.

These come with all the standard fixings of a normal wheelchair but are sized down to fit a child's measurements and often have a optional push component for parents to help ease the load of movement for the child.

Your wheelchair will have a significant impact on your quality of life. It could mean more freedom, improved mobility, greater comfort, and the ability for you to become more active socially. So it is vital that you pick the right one. Your doctor or another medical professional will assess your situation, and they can make recommendations based on your specific needs.

Some of the things they will consider are your age, mobility, strength, and body size. They will also take into account if you have any medical conditions that require special wheelchair features like reclining or tilting.

You must also take your surroundings into account. Do you live in a city or a rural area? What is the climate like where you live? These factors, and others, might play a role when you decide what materials you prefer your wheelchair to be made of. Last but not least, you have to account for your budget. If your doctor provides you with a prescription for a wheelchair, some insurance companies may cover the cost of the chair, at least partially.

So make sure to check with your insurance provider before you purchase your wheelchair. Call us now on Or Enroll Now! Start Here. Who can you hire as a caregiver? Legal Spouse. Parent caring for a child under Designated representative. Contact us. Do you have a question or do you just want to speak with us?

To see if you are eligible, fill out this form. Our belief:. FreedomCare does not provide medical services. At no cost, we can connect you with a network of providers covered by Medicaid or Medicare.

Our Locations. All office visits are by appointment only. The trade-off in ride quality is with weight shocks add a few pounds and price higher. Aftermarket products i. Frog Legs are also available to add suspension to the front forks. These are very popular and have been approved for reimbursement by Medicare. Another key innovation is the use of super-light titanium in wheelchair frames.

Light is better for the shoulders. Ti leads the pack in the U. There are also lots of options for wheels and tires, including innovations for performance, off-road traction and high style. A company called Spinergy created a high performance line of wheelchair rims. They are light and stay true. The company recently brought out an innovative push rim. The soft rubber FlexRim bridges between the rim and the tire, allowing for an easier, low impact push that protects hands and arms from impact.

Propulsion alternatives: You don't have to push a rim on the wheel to make the chair go. There are a couple of lever-driven chairs on the market, both touting that shoulders don't get damaged the way they can with standard rim pushing. A person who can't push may require a wheelchair or scooter powered by an electric motor and batteries and controlled by a joystick.

Power chairs come in several basic styles. The traditional style looks like a beefed-up standard issue wheelchair, along with all the extra bulk of the batteries, motor and control systems.

There are also platform-model power chairs with a more ordinary-looking seat or captain's chair fixed atop a power base. Scooters come in three- and four-wheel configurations and are most often used by people who don't require them full-time. Twenty years or so ago, the power chair market was limited to just a few brands and models. Innovation has expanded the choices toward lighter, more powerful and much faster chairs. Most power chairs have rear-wheel drive, but mid-wheel and front-wheel drives have grabbed a share of the market.

These are easier to turn and are quite nimble in tight spaces. There are models that are rugged and off-road ready; there are models that fold for travel; there are power chairs that can be customized for the most complex needs of people with paralysis. The right choice for each user is based on much more than style.

Getting a power chair fitted and configured to one's needs requires expert help, from an OT or reputable durable medical supplier. How do you find the right supplier? Ask around, ask an OT, read the very active gear discussion boards online.

Need a new chair? You'll need to work with your funding sources, your OT and seating specialists, and your rehab supplier to get the best chair for your needs, and to defend your choice in the event of a reimbursement denial.

To be sure, reimbursement is a key issue for all durable medical equipment purchases, especially for high-ticket items such as power chairs which can cost more than a fully loaded Honda. The power-mobility industry has been the target of federal investigations into Medicare fraud. According to a government report, 80 percent of Medicare claims for power wheelchairs did not meet coverage requirements and should not have been paid by Medicare.

So, in an attempt to curtail fraud, Medicare has changed some of its reimbursement rules. That, along with a choice-limiting system of competitive bidding, has been met with much resistance in the disability community. Battery life is a crucial issue for power chair users.