Lightweight wheelchairs meet the demands of a niche of people who are looking for a mobility aid that is easy to transport and carry around and is simple to use when needed and then capable of being folded away easily.
There are many different kinds of people who appreciate such a device, from the elderly, who need occasional assistance to get around, to people who are temporarily disabled or only minimally so. It gives them the ability to feel free in their choices to get up, get around and live their lives as they please. This is what mobility assistance is all about. Giving people an improved quality of life.
If you believe that you are in this category of clientele, you may be interested to understand more about the advantages and disadvantages of the models of lightweight wheelchairs that are available. It is great to know that many are slightly customizable to fit your precise demands, meaning that you can really get the most out of your lightweight wheelchair as you use it around the home or out and about.
What do you need to consider?
There are several important factors that you should consider as you look into purchasing a wheelchair for yourself. On the top of that list is functionality. Ask yourself what you need to be using it to ensure that a lightweight model is, in fact, going to be suitable for you.
Uneven and rough terrain is not entirely suitable for these models and, although you have great control and manoeuvrability, you need to ensure that you have the appropriate upper body strength to be able to manipulate these manual wheelchairs.
If you are thinking of going long distances from your home to the supermarket per se, you should make sure that you feel comfortable in propelling yourself for that amount of time.
The beauty of these models is that they are easily folded and can be stored in the boot of a car. Being lightweight, most people are able to lift them and unfold them on their own, eliminating the need to have a nurse or assistant at hand. This increase in independence is potentially critical for you in giving you that freedom of life that you are still competent to enjoy.
Comfort is another factor that needs to be considered. If you believe that you will be in your wheelchair for extended amounts of time, we suggest that you invest in a model that has additional cushioning. This, however, does increase the weight and is usually not a feature of these lightweight models.
Weigh the benefits and cons of certain additional extras to see what your personal demands are in order to warrant the necessity of them or not. Your wheelchair is your means of mobility and we are determined to ensure that you are satisfied with your choice. Try before you buy, so as to really get a feel for features that you believe will be important to you.
When you come in to see a retailer about gaining that extra bit of freedom and independence in your life by obtaining a wheelchair, talk to us about your goals and plans so that together we can find you the right machine for the job.