Standard wheelchairs are typically used by those with temporary injuries or disabilities. People who are recovering from surgery or injuries may use a standard wheelchair for a limited amount of time. Standard wheelchairs are available to the masses and can easily be purchased through online retailers, or even your local BraunAbility dealer. Contact your local mobility dealer to see if they offer standard wheelchair purchase.
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Custom wheelchairs, on the other hand, are often used by those with permeant disabilities like paralysis, Cerebral Palsy, or Spina Bifida. As the name suggests, custom wheelchairs are built precisely to the body measurements of a disabled person. Custom wheelchairs require a prescription from a medical professional.
From the wheelchair frame to the tires, cushion, footplate, and backrest, every element of a custom wheelchair is uniquely built to accommodate a person&#;s specific disability. For those with permanent disabilities, the customization and fit of a wheelchair are vital to maintaining independence and preventing pain and injury. If a wheelchair is not fitted properly, a wheelchair user can end up with several injuries including:
Shoulder, wrist, and other upper extremity injuries
Pressure sores
Back pain
Tissue and nerve damage
Exacerbation of symptoms related to disability
Wheelchairs come in two styles: Manual and power.
Custom manual wheelchairs do not have as many parts as power wheelchairs; therefore, they do not require as much maintenance and are a more cost-effective option when it comes to custom wheelchairs. Custom manual wheelchairs can be easily broken down, so they&#;re smaller and easier to transport than power wheelchairs. Manual wheelchairs are typically used by disabled individuals who have all or some upper body function.
Unlike manual wheelchairs, power wheelchairs do not require the wheelchair user to push themselves. Instead, power wheelchairs are fitted with assistive devices such as joysticks, which require minimal force from a wheelchair user to propel their chair in any direction they wish. Power chairs are typically made with additional features, including the ability to raise and lower the seat, and recline the chair. Power wheelchairs may be ideal for those with significant mobility impairments.
The cost of manual and power wheelchairs will depend on the wheelchair user&#;s wants and needs, as well as the materials with which the wheelchair is made. For example, when it comes to manual wheelchairs, those made with a titanium frame are lighter than wheelchairs made of aluminum or carbon fiber frames. Because of this, titanium frame wheelchairs will cost more than other manual wheelchairs. Some power wheelchairs offer both standing and sitting functions, however, this additional feature can cause a complex power wheelchair to cost significantly more than a standard power wheelchair. Standard manual wheelchairs start at a cost of roughly $12,000, whereas power wheelchairs start at roughly $40,000. Be sure to speak with your insurance provider prior to purchasing a custom wheelchair as some insurance companies will not cover certain wheelchair features.
Generally, manual and power wheelchairs can be made in six months. This time frame can change depending on the communication between your medical providers, insurance companies, and your durable medical equipment company. Wheelchairs may also take longer to make if insurance denials occur.
Custom wheelchairs come with many features that are unique to a wheelchair user&#;s needs, but there are ways you can further make a custom wheelchair your own.
Want to customize your wheelchair with a favorite color, pattern, or even a movie character? Spoke skins and spoke guards can be used to show off your personality. Spoke skins come in multiple colors and can easily be attached to the spokes of your wheelchair. If you&#;re looking for something to really make your wheelchair stand out, spoke guards from Izzy Wheels are available in a wide range of styles. Whether you&#;re looking for cheetah print or Disney-themed wheels, Izzy Wheels spoke guards are sure to make a statement. Wheelchair spoke skins and spoke guards can easily be removed if you decide you want a different look. The front wheels of your wheelchair, also known as casters, can be customized as well. If traditional black wheelchair casters aren&#;t your style, light-up wheelchair casters may be available.
If you&#;re looking for more permanent customizations for your wheelchair, consider customizing your wheelchair frame. Wheelchair frames come in many colors and can typically be purchased in solid colors or accent colors. Whether you&#;re going for a sleek black look or a neon green frame with bright blue accents, wheelchair frames on both manual and power wheelchairs can be made to show off your favorite colors.
Purchasing a custom wheelchair can feel like a daunting task, which is why you&#;ll want to begin with research. A great place to start is with a durable medical equipment company like Permobil. Permobil&#;s website contains a vast amount of information on both power and manual wheelchairs, with product brochures, videos, and information regarding specific wheelchair parts like cushions and backrests, so you can find the perfect wheelchair for you.
A custom wheelchair can only take you so far. For longer distances, like running your weekly errands, or getting to and from work, you may want to consider other mobility products like a wheelchair accessible van or vehicle transfer seat. Your local BraunAbility dealer is here to help you find a mobility solution that works for you. Contact your mobility dealer today.
There's a lot that goes into picking the right wheelchair. Whether you're shopping for a manual wheelchair for yourself or you're a caregiver helping your patient search, it can feel overwhelming at times.
Luckily, we're here to help! Our team of rehab solution experts is here to explain all of the different types of manual wheelchairs and offer a few tips on how to choose the right one for your needs.
The main two types of wheelchairs are power and manual. As you probably already know, a manual wheelchair means either the user or the caregiver is responsible for moving the wheels or pushing the wheelchair.
Power wheelchairs can provide a lot more independence, especially with advanced options that allow users to sit at eye level with other people, travel at quick speeds, and even last up to 15 miles.
That said, power wheelchairs can be cumbersome and expensive to repair. Manual wheelchairs are a great choice because they're easier to transport, they usually fold up to fit in a car, and they won't have as many parts to repair or replace as a power wheelchair.
There are many different types of manual wheelchairs. The one that's best for you depends on your physical abilities, needs, and desired comfort levels.
There are two main types of manual wheelchairs:
Self-propelled manual wheelchairs - These are the common manual wheelchairs you see with large rear wheels. This type of wheelchair is meant for the user to push the wheels, propelling themselves forward. Most manual wheelchairs are self-propelled.
Assisted manual wheelchairs - This type of wheelchair is designed for a caregiver to push. Assisted wheelchairs are usually only used for transportation purposes, and are not for permanent use.
A standard wheelchair is your basic manual wheelchair. They're self-propelled, meaning the user is responsible for moving the wheels or having something push the wheelchair.
Common features of standard wheelchairs include:
Large back wheels, making it easy for the user to propel the chair
Handles that someone else can use to push the wheelchair
Swing-away footrests
Multiple seat sizes
One of the best standard wheelchairs we've come across is the Medline K4 basic wheelchair. It has everything you need in a manual wheelchair, including multiple options for seat size, leg rests, and footrests.
Insurance Coverage Classifications:
When it comes to classifications for insurance coverage, there are two types of standard manual wheelchairs:
Standard Wheelchair: K - This is your regular manual wheelchair.
Standard Hemi (Low Seat) Wheelchair: K - This manual wheelchair has a lower seat and is best for users who are 5'2" and under.
A lightweight wheelchair is just a lighter version of a standard manual wheelchair &#; they only weigh about 30-50 lbs.
It's easier to push and lift in and out of a car, and they fold up to be a lot smaller than other types of wheelchairs.
Lightweight manual wheelchairs are:
Made with light materials, such as aluminum
Easy to fold so they can fit into smaller cars
Great for travel, as most are airline-approved
A great lightweight wheelchair example is the Medline K4 Lightweight. Weighing just 31.5 lbs., it has a 300 lb weight capacity and a durable, folding frame.
Insurance Coverage Classifications:
Lightweight Wheelchair: K - Lightweight wheelchairs typically weigh 30-50 lbs.
High Strength, Lightweight Wheelchair: K - These typically include more functionality than the lightweight wheelchairs.
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Ultra-lightweight manual wheelchairs are the lightest type of manual wheelchair, typically weighing less than 20 lbs!
For example, the TiLite Aero Z Ultra Lightweight wheelchair weighs just 12.4 lbs. This is revolutionary for the world of rehab technology, as it's light enough for just about anyone to lift it in and out of a car.
Plus, ultra-lightweight manual wheelchairs are the most portable manual wheelchairs &#; they fold up and can fit in any car.
When it comes to insurance coverage classifications, there is only one type for this category: the ultra lightweight wheelchair (K).
Bariatric manual wheelchairs support higher weight capacities, with some able to carry up to 700 lbs.
They provide safe, reliable transport for patients of all sizes. Due to their heavyweight capacity, bariatric wheelchairs are made out of the strongest, most durable materials. This makes them heavier and more difficult to transport than regular wheelchairs.
Insurance Coverage Classifications:
Heavy Duty Wheelchair: K - This bariatric wheelchair can usually support up to around 300 lbs.
Extra Heavy Duty Wheelchair: K - Capable of supporting up to lbs., this is the most heavy duty manual wheelchair available.
Manual transport wheelchairs are used to transport the wheelchair user. It's easy to identify a transport wheelchair because it doesn't have large rear wheels.
They're one of the few types of manual wheelchairs that aren't self-propelled. Instead, they're designed for someone else to push the wheelchair. If you're looking into this type of manual wheelchair for yourself, make sure you'll have a caregiver able to push the wheelchair whenever you might need it.
Transport wheelchairs aren't meant for permanent use. Their sole purpose is to transport the user from one place to another. It's helpful to bring along if someone isn't able to walk long distances, isn't strong enough to propel themselves, or gets tired easily.
Insurance Coverage Classifications:
Transport Chair, Pediatric Size: E - Designed for children or smaller adults.
Transport Chair, Adult Size: E - This transport chair is classified to carry up to 300 lbs.
Transport Chair, Adult Size, Heavy Duty: E - This class doesn't specify a total weight limit, but supports adults who weigh over 300 lbs.
A complex manual wheelchair is customizable to the user's medical needs. These are commonly used for people with disabilities and come with a wide range of options.
Characteristics of complex manual wheelchairs include:
Highly customizable for the users
Easily adjustable
Customized positioning options
Pressure management
Designed for daily use
Some offer tilt-in-space capabilities
One of the best complex manual wheelchairs on the market is the Quickie IRIS. It's a lightweight, manual tilt-in-space wheelchair. Weighing just 39 lbs, it has an advanced rotational system, built-in adjustability, and multiple tilt ranges to provide ultimate comfort for the wheelchair user.
Complex rehab equipment is most effective when you work with a team of rehab experts who can explain the best wheelchair options for your needs.
Insurance Coverage Classifications:
Complex wheelchairs have the most insurance classifications out of any other type of manual wheelchair. A few of the most common include:
Manual Adult Size Wheelchair, Tilt in Space: E - This includes any manual wheelchair with the tilt-in-space functionality (like the Quickie IRIS).
Custom Manual Wheelchair: K - Includes any manual wheelchair with highly customized features.
Sports wheelchairs allow wheelchair users to stay active and participate in the sports they know and love! Depending on the sport or activity, the wheelchairs could look vastly different. Common features include large, wide stance wheels, lightweight, advanced anti-tip features, and additional safety belts.
Manual sports wheelchair options include:
Tennis wheelchairs
Basketball wheelchairs
Cycling wheelchairs
All-terrain wheelchairs (which are great for fishing!)
This is where the difficult part comes in. We can't recommend the best wheelchair for you without knowing your specific needs and physical abilities.
However, when you're evaluating a wheelchair, you'll want to look at:
Wheelchair weight - Consider whether you'd like an ultra-lightweight wheelchair that's portable and easy to fold up, or if you prefer the support of a standard manual wheelchair. This really comes down to where you plan to go, your (or your caregiver's) physical abilities, and comfort and function.
Weight capacity - If you weigh under 240 lbs, you won't have to worry about weight capacity with most wheelchairs. However, if you're looking for a wheelchair that supports more weight, a bariatric manual wheelchair is your best option.
Comfort and extra options - If you plan to use your wheelchair for long periods of time, you'll need to make sure it's comfortable enough to do so. Look into manual wheelchairs with extra cushioning, seating positioning options, as well as soft arm and leg rests.
Durability - Long-term wheelchair use requires stronger durability than a wheelchair you might only be in for an hour or two per day. Make sure you're choosing a wheelchair durable enough to withstand your needs. For example, lightweight wheelchairs use less durable materials for the sake of saving extra weight.
Are you a resident of California? We help people throughout the entire state find the best wheelchair for their needs. Whether you're looking for the lightest wheelchair or need a complex rehab solution, our team of experts is ready to help.
Contact us today to set up a free consultation!
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Manual WheelchairsNovember 21, by Freedom Mobility
There's a lot that goes into picking the right wheelchair. Whether you're shopping for a manual wheelchair for yourself or you're a caregiver helping your patient search, it can feel overwhelming at times. Luckily, we're here to help! Our... Share Share ShareThere's a lot that goes into picking the right wheelchair. Whether you're shopping for a manual wheelchair for yourself or you're a caregiver helping your patient search, it can feel overwhelming at times. Luckily, we're here to help! Our...
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