You would know the restrictions of a wheelchair if someone
you know, or yourself, is wheelchair bound. There are so many difficulties to
contend with - it is problematic to take the wheelchair uphill all by oneself,
doors are too narrow to pass, and in the process you may end up with wounds on
your fingers and painful arms. Now welcome the electric wheelchairs. These
novel chairs are adjusted with electric motors that are put in the place of the
hand bound tire rotation that you may be used to. With these wheelchairs a
person who was restricted by manual wheelchairs will experience a freedom and
comfort for the first time ever. But it is always preferable that you choose
the right wheelchair, one that answers your personal requirement.
Tip #1
At the time of choosing the best electric wheelchair that is suited to your personal need, it is
crucial to know the cost that you would need to incur. Your medical insurance
provider would be one of the right persons for answering your query. You will
also be required to ponder on how much your own money will be there to add to
the insurance company's coverage. When you are out purchasing your electric
wheelchair, just bear in mind that the regular electric chair can cost anywhere
between $5,000 and $30,000.
Tip #2
Other considerations would include such elements like the
height and support of the back that you require. This would depend on your own
physical limitations, for instance, if you have meager or no strength on upper
body muscle. For this condition it is advised that the back be sloped at a 45
degree angle. Consult with a physiologist or with your personal doctor to know
the right angle for you.
Tip #3
The control panel that you select will also be determined by
your body restrictions. There are many methods available to select from, a
joystick is very famous and operates in a similar manner like a video game.
However if you have problem with arm control, then you may want a chair that
carries a control system controlled by the head, the trunk of the body or
through propulsion. Here also your physician will know which system would work
best for you.
Tip #4
Once these fundamental choices are done with regarding your
wheelchair, it is time to design it for you specifically. You can select the
type of leg and foot supports, the extent of padding at the back of the chair
together with its color and fabric, and the height of the chair. Whether these
options elevate the final price of the wheelchair would depend on the
manufacturer's offers.
Tip #5
It is very crucial to take the electric wheelchair for a
test drive before you clinch the deal. Some companies would offer a test drive
for a couple of hours and some would allow you to try it for one or two days.
This kid of advantage would make it easier for you to make the right purchase.
