A wheelchair that is electric, generally referred to as power
wheelchair, provides the luxury of mobility to individuals who would otherwise
be trapped in their homes due to stroke, illness or 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 devices typically have between four and six wheels which
aid in stability being powered with batteries that generally last 10 miles
before needing to recharge.
For deciding on one of the best Electric wheelchair for
sale for seniors to use, the Forbes Health editorial team analyzed
information on more than 50 products from the top brands, and rated them based
on price as well as weight capacity. travel range, top speed and portability.
Check out which Electric wheelchairs for sale are on our list. Be aware that
prices are current as of the publication date.
What
Is an Electric Wheelchair?
A portable electric chair, also known as motorized or powered
electric wheelchair that I can rent is one of the six-wheel chair with a motor
that is powered by one or two batteries. The wheelchairs can be controlled with
a joystick and require no physical strength from the upper body. Powered
electric wheelchair rental varieties range from simple, standard wheelchairs
designed for short-term usage to highly customized options for longer-term and
more intricate needs.
Cory Lee, 31, from Georgia has been in wheelchairs since 4 years
old. He's also an avid traveller--he's hot ballooned in Israel and floated
through the Blue Lagoon in Iceland and experienced a confrontation with an
hippopotamus in South African--and is an expert when it comes to traveling in
wheelchair. Through the years, Lee experienced many various sizes and kinds of
wheelchairs. He also knows the importance to choose the best one.
The most affordable electric wheelchairs like those employed by
Lee belong to 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 education and
strategy manager of Sunrise Medical, a California-based wheelchair manufacturer.
This type of technology comes with multiple positioning options, advanced
electronics , controls, as well as adjustments for orthopedic issues , and
accommodations for ventilators.
What
is a Power Wheelchair?
Power wheelchairs (also called power chairs) provide exceptional
mobility in small spaces and tight corners, making them the best choice for
moving both inside and outside of your home. Power wheelchairs also allow you
to use it to reach counters, tables and work surfaces to accomplish daily
activities and live independently at home. They are prescribed by doctors to
those who require continuous mobility for daily tasks within their homes, and
can be rented or purchase by any person who wants to enjoy the improved
mobility and freedom that powered wheelchairs offer.
Electric Wheelchair Basics
When looking for the best electric wheelchair cost there are
certain terms that are frequently used on dealer websites. We've outlined a few
of the most essential terms below to make your shopping less stressful.
Front-, Mid-, &
Rear-Wheel Drive
All Medicare electric wheelchairs include either four or six
wheels however, only two wheels of the chair are powered through the motor.
Other wheels ("casters") provide stability to the chair. Mid-wheel
drive tends to be the most efficient for completely turning in tight spaces,
while front and rear wheel drive wheelchairs usually provide the smoothest
rides and handle the terrain outdoors best. It's best to consult an
occupational therapist in order to decide what type of wheel drive is best
suited for your everyday use.
Turning Radius
The radius of the turning is the most compact u-turn the electric
wheelchair that is near me. The less radial the turning radius is, the more
suitable the chair will be designed for indoor usage or for smaller spaces. A
turning radius between 20" and about 35" is the norm. Bulky chairs
will have large turning radiuses. However, other factors like the angle of the
footrest or the wheel drive can affect the radius of turning.
Travel Range
The travel range of electric wheelchairs which is commonly
referred to as "range" - is the distances it is capable of traveling
before it requires its batteries to recharged. Range varies widely, from 4 to 5
miles in some chairs to up to almost 20 miles in others. The range may be less
than what is advertised, if the driver is particularly heavy, the terrain isn't
perfect, and the battery old. Finding an electric wheelchair that has high
range is important for those who plan to travel frequently or who regularly use
their Portable electric wheelchair
for sale outdoors on solo trips, such as to stores or other locations.
Warranty Limits
Electric wheelchairs typically come with "limited"
warranties and not all wear and tear will be taken care of by the maker. Most
warranties cover structural elements like the frame made of metal and the seat
for as long as five years or 10 years and will typically cover other components
for shorter durations of time stipulated in the warranty agreement. In the
overview table as well as the company profiles below, the number listed next to
the word “limited" (for example, "5 year limited") signifies the
largest amount of coverage included in the warranty, usually applicable to the
frame.
How to Choose a Power
Wheelchair Store
Whether you are searching for a wheelchair shop near me or an
online store there are always some points you will want to be aware of prior to
establishing a relationship with any company. Investing in a power wheelchair
can easily exceed $1,000.00and you'll want to make sure you do everything
possible to ensure you're going to end up working in a partnership with a firm
with outstanding customer service, rock bottom pricing for new equipment, and
also the knowledge to assist you in finding the ideal electric wheelchair for
you.
Three main considerations
that you should think about prior to purchasing a power chair:
Online Reviews - Crowd sourcing information is the best way one
can check the level of customer service offered to historical customers. It
isn't possible for any business to function with no flaws, so when something
goes wrong you will want to make sure that the business is there for you and
will do whatever is essential to ensure that you end as a happy customer.
Currently, MobilityScootersDirect.com has a 4.7/5.0 which is a very strong
rating. Any company that has lower than an 4.0 rating might be considered
average. Any business with lower than a 3.0 rating could be considered poor.
Pricing - A crucial factor is pricing. Why would you pay more for
an identical product? Some local retailers are forced to charge more because
they are obligated to pay rent and expenses to cover. This can run into the
thousands of dollars each month for a brick and mortar company, so this should
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 known as MAP pricing.
Expert Knowledge of products Electric wheelchair portable - All of
our salespeople are certified in electronics and can physically repair mobility
scooters and power wheelchairs. Our sales team members are interested in
aviation as well as the flying drones with electronic components. Their passion
for electronics translates into a profound understanding of products which is
unique to the market. Part of the reason why our reviews are so awesome is
because our sales staff works so efficiently that our customers get an item
that not only will meet their needs, but may even surpass the expectations of
those they purchase.