Caring for Elderly? 5 Tips for Buying a Lightweight Electric Wheelchair
You love your grandad, but you’re tired of always breaking your back when taking out their wheelchair each time you go out. You’ve also been trying to have him upgrade his wheelchair to an electric wheelchair, but you have no clue where to start searching.
Well, the market is now flooded with hundreds of electric wheelchair brands and models so that it can be daunting.
Lucky for you, this guide by FastBoyFenders will help you navigate through the system, and you can finally get your cousin a lightweight, sturdy motorized wheelchair.
What’s a Lightweight Electric Wheelchair?
Lightweight electric wheelchairs are motorized mobility aids that offer users and their caregivers’ convenience and comfort. They’re often built using constituents such as aluminium and titanium alloy.
They’re also the most foldable e-chairs since they allow for secure storage and transport. With the merge of these two styles give you a diverse, reliable, and convenient mobility aid that isn’t a pain to lug around.
What Do You Need to Consider When Purchasing a Lightweight Power Wheelchair? Like any other product, you need to be vigilant when looking for an electric wheelchair for your friend or relative. Here are 5 tips to help you find the perfect one.
Wheels & Tires
There are several options when it comes to the wheels and tires of your motorized wheelchair. However, most retailers offer you e-wheelchairs with either the pneumatic (air-filled) tires, foam-filled, or solid rubber tires.
The pneumatic tires are the most commonly sort-out type. They provide you with incredibly smooth and stable drives around the neighborhood and through the roughest terrains. The air and treads hug the road, making your journey effortless. They, however, require more maintenance than other tires.
The foam-filled and solid rubber tires, on the other hand, are sturdy and they require very little maintenance. However, they can give a rough drive. You’ll feel every bump and indent on the road.
It all comes down to the user preference with this feature.
Size & Weight
Size and weight of the power wheelchair are also vital to getting a portable system. You need to cautious when picking out a power chair for your family when it comes to size and weight. It would be best if you opted for one that you can effortlessly carry around from one destination to another, and it also needs to be compact enough for secure storage.
Comfort & Support Features
One of the most vital factors to consider is comfort and stability. Persons with mobility issues spend most of their days sitting on the chair, and thus getting the most ergonomic design is pivotal.
You also need to note that different body types have different needs, so you must make sure that the wheelchair you select offers the right support for your case.
The User’s Weight
It’s one of the most ignored factors when picking out an electric wheelchair. However, it can be one of the most pivotal elements to consider.
If your child is the one that needs the mobility aid, you need to ensure that you choose a pediatric wheelchair that can accommodate his/her growth.
Most adult electric wheelchairs, on the other hand, can accommodate individuals of up to 300 pounds (136kg). Don’t panic. If you’re heavy, you can always opt to get the ‘bariatric’ or ‘heavy-duty’ power wheelchair options. They can accommodate up to 650 pounds, which is roughly 300kgs.
Versatility
Sometimes you might get an ideal electric wheelchair that might need some few alterations. So, as you shop for one, ensure that you will be able to modify the device in the future if need be.
That will enable you to keep your current chair compatible with your requirements, rather than having to purchase a new power wheelchair in the future. For instance, some models are designed so that you can easily modify the steering mechanism or seating system, or to make it compatible to use with the tracks in your residence.
Choose Carefully When Selecting an Electric Wheelchair
Ultimately, it’s a tough decision but hopefully these 5 tips have given you a few key things to think about.