Pros and Cons of buying an Electric Wheelchair

A wheelchair is necessary for many Canadians to move around. According to Statistics Canada, 1% of the population needs to utilize wheeled mobility equipment. While recovering from an illness or accident, some people just temporarily need a wheelchair, while others need one all the time.

The good news is that there are now more alternatives than ever before. To suit your particular mobility needs, you may pick between manual and electric wheelchairs, add certain features, and customize your wheelchair. Here, we'll outline some of the pros and cons of each choice.

● Clinical necessity

Assessing your clinical requirements should come first. Considering that you are aware of what seems natural and at ease to use for extended periods, you may assess your clinical demands for things like a power assist wheelchair. In light of this, we advise trying out a variety of mobility electric wheelchairs to gauge their level of comfort. You must select a chair that improves your posture and lowers your chance of developing any further illnesses, such as poor blood circulation, digestive problems, and pressure sores. A physiotherapist who specializes in determining whether a person may benefit from a motorized wheelchair could be quite helpful in making recommendations that would significantly increase your freedom and general health.

 
● Lifestyle

 
When weighing the benefits and drawbacks of manual versus electric wheelchairs, it is important to consider your lifestyle. Will your house be able to accommodate a power wheelchair's needs for storage, a power supply, and other things? Consider the requirements for utilizing electric wheelchairs as well, such as the need for ramps, stairlifts, or other modifications. There are collapsible electric wheelchairs available, too, which may sway your choice if storage is an issue.

Your independence and daily life are key considerations when choosing the best-motorized wheelchair. Are you planning to use public transportation and the outdoors more, for instance? Especially if you need assistance to move your chair, electric wheelchairs might help you regain control.

electric wheelchairs provide you with the freedom to explore independently and a variety of controls for all abilities. Last but not least, you could ask your doctor or physical therapist for guidance. They can offer suggestions and may even be able to refer you to a supplier.

Pros of an Electric Wheelchair

Electrical wheelchairs provide a tonne of advantages, especially for people who continue to have limited mobility:

 
● ensures that people of all abilities can manoeuvre the chair by providing a variety of controls, such as joysticks and touchpads;

 
● Outside, electric wheelchairs can easily navigate difficult terrain;

 
● Some wheelchairs with electric assistance can go up to 8 mph;

 
● Leg rests, arm rests, and other adjustable features like tilt, recline, and more are available for added comfort.

 
Users of motorized wheelchairs have a variety of controls at their disposal. The most popular choice for moving the chair is a joystick. Mini joysticks are another option that is offered. Touchpads are offered to manoeuvre the chair if your hands are too small to comfortably hold a joystick.

 
Those who want to explore and travel more with their new chair can choose electrical wheelchairs. Mid-wheel drive motorized wheelchairs are available for purchase and give a greater turning radius for interior use. However, rear-wheel drive electric wheelchairs are significantly more suited for outside use and give you greater security when riding public transportation and across uneven terrain. Mobility electric wheelchairs can go up to 8 mph if you travel frequently, which may help you save a lot of energy if you travel outside.

 
The electric wheelchair's flexibility to be customized to meet your needs and specifications is another key benefit. For instance, adjustable leg supports are provided to keep your legs above your heart if you have a disease like an edema. Similarly, you may choose to tilt and recline, which is very beneficial for people with limited mobility because the movement helps relieve any pressure and lessen the likelihood of sores.

 
Cons of an Electric Wheelchair

Although there are certain drawbacks to power wheelchairs, many of them may be overcome with more money or better features. A motorized wheelchair often won't fold or disassemble. The majority of people who need to travel might not have a van or other large vehicle to keep the motorized wheelchair, therefore they will need to come up with other solutions. You might need to buy a second manual wheelchair for travel. Another choice is to spend more money and get a motorized wheelchair that folds up or can be disassembled quickly. Most retailers carry fold-up power wheelchairs, however, they can be quite a bit more expensive than conventional power wheelchairs.

Even though motorized wheelchairs are becoming more and more popular, many elderly, crippled, or injured people still cannot afford one. The main obstacle standing in the way of someone who wants to buy a motorized wheelchair is money. It's crucial to talk to Medicare or your insurance provider before making a motorized wheelchair purchase or deciding against one altogether. Many people are unaware that if a doctor recommends a wheelchair, it may be entirely or partially supported by the two.

Conclusion

Although motorized wheelchairs are becoming more and more popular, many elderly, crippled, or injured people still cannot afford one. The main obstacle standing in the way of someone who wants to buy a motorized wheelchair is money. It's crucial to talk to Medicare or your insurance provider before making a motorized wheelchair purchase or deciding against one altogether. Many people are unaware that if a doctor recommends a wheelchair, it may be entirely or partially supported by the two. The varieties of propelled wheelchairs are numerous. To find out more, get in touch with Scootaround right away!