Choosing Your Wheelchair
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With great variety of wheelchair options available in market, in terms of styles, features, size and price point, our guide will help in you getting the right prescription wheelchair accordingly.
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To begin, here are the 5 top questions.
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Q1/ Long or Short Term?
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Duration of Usage
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Are you only using the wheelchair for a couple of hours a day?
Is it a supplementary mode of transportation for post-surgery and during an injury recovery?
Do you have someone to push the chair for you?
If you answered yes to any of the above, then a standard manual wheelchair or transport wheelchair is likely the cost effective solution for you.
Standard Manual Wheelchairs
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Standard manual wheelchairs will require you to propel with your upper limbs by gripping the wheel area and generally have back wheel size of 24” (approximately 61cm) to ensure a comfortable ride.
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Transit Wheelchairs
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Transit wheelchairs (or sometimes referred to as “transport chairs”) have smaller wheels than standard wheelchairs and will require the help of a caregiver to push the user. It is often portable and foldable, intended for short term use and shorter trips.
Powered / Electric Wheelchairs
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If the wheelchair is the primary mode of transportation, such as for people with degenerative conditions, for the elderly, long term disability, we will recommend power wheelchairs.
Power wheelchairs, electric wheelchair or motorised wheelchair are essentially referring to the same type of wheelchair.
They are battery powered, often roomier, offer more positioning support and require minimum control or strength from the user with the help of a control panel.
They can generally be heavier and larger too compares to standard manual wheelchairs.
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Electric wheelchairs these days usually offer a distance of 20km before a charge is required.
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Manual Wheelchairs
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Regular manual wheelchairs could be an option for long term user too if you possess upper body strength and are able to self-propel.
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Q2/ Are You Able to Walk & Stand?
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It is also important to consider your ability to move around walking, sitting down, standing up, adjusting and moving your body within the chair.
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Your Mobility Level
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Some questions to think about:
Are you able to walk without help?
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Are you able to stand up and sit down safely?
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What is the length of time you can walk, stand or sit?
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Are you able to remain steady walking, standing or seated?
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Q3/ How Is Your Posture?
If you spend extended amount of time on wheelchair, you need to be able to maintain a comfortable, stable, safe and supported seated position.
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Your Posture Matters
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You may achieve the comfort level with the wheelchair you have, or you may need additional cushion to maintain your position.
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Q4/ What Is Your Measurement?
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Your Height & Weight
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If you are very tall person or larger than average, it is important to have a wheelchair that will support your body fully to maintain correct balance, stability, comfort and safety.
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When buying your wheelchair, ensure you have your body measure ready.
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Q5/ Where Will You Be Using It?​
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While most wheelchairs are suitable to use both indoors and outdoors, some are designed for special purposes such as for indoor use only.
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For Indoor
Indoor wheelchairs often have smaller front wheels and are compact in size for easier manoeuvrability.
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For Outdoor
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Outdoor wheelchairs have larger front wheels and are sturdier generally to overcome road obstacles such as doorways, sidewalks, ramps or gravels.
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