A wheelchair that is electric, generally referred to as power wheelchair, offers the benefit of mobility to people otherwise stuck in their homes due to illness, stroke or other injury. "I have one in my garage right now for zooming around the yard and doing yard work," says Bill Fertig, the Virginia Beach-based director of the United Spinal Association Resource Center. The majority of these devices have four to six wheels, which provide stability and are powered by batteries that usually last for about 10 miles before they need to be recharged.
To choose one of the Best electric wheelchairs suitable for older adults, the Forbes Health editorial team analyzed data on about 50 products from top brands and evaluated them on the basis of price, maximum weight capacity, travel range, top travel speed and portability. See which Electric wheelchair on sale was on our list. Be aware that prices are current at the time of publication.
What Is an Electric Wheelchair?
The Portable electric wheelchair, also known as a powered or motorized electric wheelchair that I can rent is one of the six-wheel chair powered by a motor which operates using one or two batteries. These wheelchairs are maneuvered with the joystick and do not require muscles in the upper part of your body. Electric wheelchairs that are powered are available from standard, basic wheelchairs for short-term use to highly customized models for more complex and long-term needs.
Cory Lee, 31, from Georgia is in a wheelchair since he was 4 years old. The avid traveler has hot ballooned in Israel as well as floated in the Blue Lagoon in Iceland and experienced a confrontation with an hippopotamus while in South Africa. He's also is an expert when it comes to traveling in a wheelchair. Through the course his lifetime, Lee has used many different sizes and types of wheelchairs. He also knows the importance of selecting the right one.
The most affordable electric wheelchairs like the ones employed by Lee fall into a category called complex rehabilitation technology, also known as CRT. "These wheelchairs are measured and built specifically to meet each individual's unique needs," says Angie Kiger, a clinical director of strategy and education at Sunrise Medical, a California-based wheelchair manufacturer. The technology offers multiple positioning options, high-tech electronics and controls, adjustments to accommodate injuries to the joints and accommodations for ventilators.
What is a Power Wheelchair?
Power wheelchairs (also called power chairs) offer exceptional maneuverability through small spaces as well as around tight corners, making them the ideal choice for mobility within and outside your home. A power wheelchair also allows you to pull in close proximity to tables, counters and other work surfaces to carry out daily activities and live independently within your home. Power wheelchairs are prescribed by doctors to those who require 24/7 mobility for daily tasks within their home. They are available for rental or purchase by those who wants to enjoy the new freedom and mobility that powered wheelchairs offer.
Electric Wheelchair Basics
When looking for the best electric wheelchair cost There are several terms that pop up frequently on dealer websites. We've explained a few of the most basic terms below to make your shopping simpler.
Front-, Mid-, & Rear-Wheel Drive
All Medicare electric wheelchair coverage have four or six wheels, however only two wheels in the chair are powered through the motor. The remaining wheels ("casters") provide stability to the chair. Mid-wheel drive tends to be most suitable for complete rotation in tight spaces, whereas front and rear wheel drive wheelchairs tend to provide the most comfortable rides and can handle the terrain outdoors best. It's best to consult an occupational therapist in order to decide which type of wheel drive is suitable for the daily usage.
Turning Radius
The radius of the turning point is the least u-turn the electric wheelchair that is near me. The smaller the turning radius greater the comfort of the chair will be suitable for indoor or tiny spaces. A turning radius of between 20" and about 35" is typical. Bulky chairs will have large turns, however other factors such as the angle the footrest , as well as the angle of the wheel drive also affect the turning radius.
Travel Range
A wheelchair's range of travel- often simply referred to as "range" - is the distances it is capable of traveling before the batteries need to recharged. Range varies widely, from 4 to 5 miles in some chairs , to as much as 20 miles in some. The range can be shorter than claimed if a person is particularly heavy, the terrain is not smooth, or the battery getting old. Finding an electric chair with the greatest range is important for people who plan to travel regularly or take their electric wheelchair outdoors on solo trips, such as to the store or other places.
Warranty Limits
Electric wheelchairs usually have "limited" warranties and not every day wear and tear will be taken care of by the maker. Most warranties cover structural components like the metal frame which is the part of the chair that lasts for 5 or 10 years, and generally cover other components for shorter lengths of time as specified in the warranty contract. In the table of overview and profiles below, the amount in front of the word"limited" (for example, "5 year limited") indicates the highest extent of coverage under the warranty. This is usually for the frame.
How to Choose a Power Wheelchair Store
No matter if you're looking to find a retailer for power wheelchairs near my home or an online store There are always certain points you will want to be aware of prior to establishing a relationship with any retailer. A purchase of a power chair could easily go over $1,000.00or more, so you'll want to make sure you take every step to ensure you're going to be working with a company that has fantastic customer service, low pricing for new equipment, and the ability to assist you in finding the perfect electric wheelchair.
Below are 3 main points you need to think about before buying a new power chair:
Online Reviews - Crowd sourcing information is the most effective way to determine the quality of customer service given to historical customers. Not one business can operate flawlessly without error, so when something wrong does happen you'll want to be sure that the company stands behind you and will do what is essential to ensure that you wind as a happy customer. Currently, MobilityScootersDirect.com has a 4.7/5.0 which is a very strong rating. Any business with less than a 4.0 rating is likely to be considered average. A company with less than 3.0 ratings could be considered poor. 3.0 rating may be considered poor.
Pricing - One of the most important factors is the price. Why would you pay more for the exact product? Local retailers are often forced to offer higher prices because they have rent and overhead to cover. The cost of overhead can be in the thousands of dollars each month for a bricks and mortar business so this must be considered in their pricing. At MobilityScootersDirect.com, we're an online store so able to offer you these products at the lowest price the manufacturers will allow us to sell them for. This is often referred to as MAP pricing.
Expert Knowledge of Best electric wheelchair portable - All of our sales personnel are certified in electronics and are able to physically fix mobility scooters and power wheelchairs. A lot of our sales personnel have hobbies in aviation and flying drones with electronic components. Their passion for electronics translates into a profound knowledge of products that is unique to the market. One of the reasons our reviews are so outstanding is the fact that our sales personnel is so knowledgeable that our customers are able to purchase a unit that not only meets their needs but can even surpass them.