An electric wheelchair, more frequently referred to as a powered wheelchair, gives the gift of mobility to those trapped in their homes because of illness, stroke 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 up to six wheels which aid in stability they are powered by batteries that generally last for around 10 miles prior to the need to be recharged.
To choose one of the Best electric chair for older adults to use, the Forbes Health editorial team analyzed data from around 50 items from the top brands, and rated them based on price capacities, weight capacity to maximum, travel range, top speed and portability. See which Portable electric wheelchair is available for purchase on our list. Please note that prices are correct on the date of publication.
What Is an Electric Wheelchair?
A Portable electric wheelchair--also called motorized or powered electric wheelchair near me - is one of the six-wheel chair equipped with a motor. It operates on two or one batteries. They can be operated using the joystick and do not require physical strength from the upper body. Electric wheelchairs powered by electricity include basic wheelchairs suitable for temporary use to highly customized options for larger and more extensive needs.
Cory Lee, 31, from Georgia is in wheelchairs since 4 years old. In addition, he's hot ballooned by air in Israel and floated in the Blue Lagoon in Iceland and ran into an hippopotamus in South African--and is an expert at traveling in a wheelchair. In the course of the years, Lee had used a variety of different sizes and types of wheelchairs. He knows the importance of buying the right one.
Best electric wheelchair prices like the ones utilized by Lee are part of a class known as complex rehabilitation technology or CRT. "These wheelchairs are measured and built specifically to meet each individual's unique needs," says Angie Kiger, a clinical plan and education manager in Sunrise Medical, a California-based wheelchair manufacturer. This type of technology comes with multiple positioning choices, advanced electronic and controls, adjustments for orthopedic issues and accommodations for ventilators.
What is a Power Wheelchair?
Power wheelchairs (also called power chairs) allow for exceptional maneuverability in narrow spaces and around tight corners, which makes them the ideal solution for getting around in and around your home. The power chair also lets users to pull up to counters, tables, and other work surfaces to carry out daily activities and live independently in your home. Power wheelchairs are prescribed by doctors to patients needing full-time assistance with mobility to accomplish daily activities in their home, and are also available to rent or purchase by anyone who could benefit from the improved mobility and freedom that powered wheelchairs offer.
Electric Wheelchair Basics
If you're looking for the best electric wheelchair cost There are some terms that appear frequently on websites of the dealers. We've listed a few the most common terms below to make your shopping less stressful.
Front-, Mid-, & Rear-Wheel Drive
All Medicare electric wheelchairs are equipped with the option of having four or six wheels but only two of the chair receive power directly from the motor. The remaining wheels ("casters") stabilize the chair. Mid-wheel drive is most suitable for complete rotation within tight spaces. In contrast, rear- and front-wheel drive wheelchairs offer the most comfort and ease of use and manage outdoor terrain the best. It's best to consult an occupational therapist to determine what type of wheel drive will be best for the daily usage.
Turning Radius
The radius of the turn is the smallest turn the electric wheelchair moves near me can make. The less radial the turning radius, the better the chair is to be used indoors or in tiny spaces. A turning radius of 20" and about 35" is common. The chairs that are bulky will have larger turning radiuses. However, other aspects such as the angle of the footrest as well as the drive of the wheel also impact the radius of turning.
Travel Range
An electric wheelchair's travel distancewhich is commonly called "range" - is the miles that it can travel before it needs to be recharged. The range varies from 4 or 5 miles in certain chairs , to as much as 20 miles for others. It is possible that the range will be lower than advertised if the passenger is a heavy person, the terrain isn't as smooth, or the battery is getting old. Finding an electric chair with an impressive range is essential for those who intend to travel, or frequently take their Electric wheelchair for sale outdoors for solo trips for shopping or other locations.
Warranty Limits
Electric wheelchairs typically have "limited" warranties and not all wear and tear can be taken care of by the maker. Most warranties cover structural components such as the frame that the wheelchair is covered for five to ten years and generally cover other parts for shorter periods of time as specified in the warranty agreement. In the overview table and in the company profiles below, the amount that is next to the word limited (for example, "5 year limited") will indicate the maximum amount of coverage included in the warranty, which is usually applicable to the frame.
How to Choose a Power Wheelchair Store
Whether you are searching for a power wheelchair store near me or an online shop There are always certain points you will want to investigate prior to signing a contract with any business. A purchase of a power chair is likely to cost $1,000.00plus, and so you'll want to ensure you are doing everything you can to ensure you're going to work with a company that has fantastic customer service, low rates on new units and the ability that can help you find the most suitable electric wheelchair.
Below are 3 important points you need to think about prior to purchasing a power chair:
Online Reviews - Crowdsourcing information is the best way to gauge the quality of customer service offered to the previous customers. It isn't possible for any business to function with no flaws, so when something goes wrong you'll want to be sure that the company stands by you and will do whatever is necessary to make sure that you end up being a happy customer. Currently, MobilityScootersDirect.com has a 4.7/5.0 which is a very strong rating. Any company that has lower than a 4.0 rating could be thought of as average. Any business with lower than 3.0 ratings could be considered poor. 3.0 rating might be considered poor.
Pricing - One important aspect is the price. Why would you want to be charged more for the exact item? Local stores are sometimes forced to charge more because they have expenses and rent to pay for. It is common for overhead to run into the hundreds of dollars per month in a brick 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 the products Portable electric wheelchair All of our sales representatives are certified in electronics and are equipped to physically repair mobility scooters and Electric wheelchair. A lot of our sales personnel are interested in aviation as well as the flying drones made of electronic technology. Their passion for electronics can translate into a deep knowledge of products that are unique to the market. One reason why our reviews are so awesome is that our sales staff has such a great relationship with customers that customers end up with a unit that not only is able to meet their needs, but even surpass their expectations.