Electric wheelchairs are wheelchairs that are motorized. Electric wheelchairs may be a necessity for people who do not have the upper arm strength or ability to use a manual wheelchair. Some people who are able to use in manual wheelchair may want to use an electric wheelchair, but may not be able to because of the increased cost of an electric wheelchair.
The required physical strength is much less for an electric wheelchair then for a manual wheelchair since an electric wheelchair is powered by a battery. The ease of use of an electric wheelchair as compared to a manual wheelchair is especially noticeable when the wheelchair user goes uphill or slanted surfaces.
If a doctor feels that the wheelchair user requires the use of an electric wheelchair, much of the cost of the electric wheelchair may be covered by insurance. Electric wheelchairs can cost thousands of dollars plus the cost of any modifications to the person's home or vehicle and maintenance equipment like batteries and battery chargers.
Some people may confuse an electric wheelchair with a mobility scooter. A typical mobility scooter has a handlebar for steering control in the front of the scooter. The steering of an electric wheelchair is controlled by a mechanism on the right armrest.
The maneuverability of mobility scooters is less than that of electric wheelchairs. The ease of negotiating corners and turns with an electric wheelchair depends on the model of the electric wheelchair.
There are three basic models of electric wheelchairs. The traditional model of electric wheelchair is the rear-wheel drive electric wheelchair. Of the basic models, the rearwheel drive has the least amount of maneuverability. The mid-wheel drive electric wheelchair as the highest level of maneuverability, but also has some instability during stopping and starting.
The front-wheel drive electric wheelchair is another option. They do not have the level of maneuverability that a mid-wheel drive electric wheelchair has, but they offer better maneuverability than the rear-wheel drive wheelchairs.
Because of their ease of use, and electric wheelchair often gives the wheelchair user more freedom than a manual wheelchair. The user of an electric wheelchair may not need a personal care assistant that they may require if they used a manual wheelchair. Electric wheelchairs also allow more for use of the hands.
Several different types of wheelchair accessories can be purchased for use with an electric wheelchair. Carriers for oxygen tanks and safety belts may be a necessity for some wheelchair users. Other wheelchair accessories like cupholders are for the wheelchair user's convenience.
Related posts: