Not all wheelchairs are created equally!
The wheelchairs of today are not like the heavy old chrome ones of days gone by. Advancements in design and materials used in the manufacturing of wheelchairs have resulted in improvements for the end users such as decreased weight, reduction in shock and vibrations felt during movement, improvements in transportability and overall fit and function. Manual wheelchairs are designed to be used for independent or dependent mobility and are available in either folding frame or rigid frame styles and are made of a variety of materials such as aluminum, titanium and carbon fibre.
There are many factors to consider when selecting a wheelchair and our occupational therapists can help you to select the best wheelchair for you whether it be for transport only or for full time use. We keep up to date with the current technologies and products on the market and can help you to match products with how and where you need to use your wheelchair. Folding frame wheelchairs have the benefit of being easily transportable but have more moving parts and can be heavier in weight. Rigid wheelchairs typically are lighter weight and more efficient to propel because the energy you put into pushing the chair goes into moving it and is not lost in the many moving parts of a folding frame wheelchair. Tilt in space wheelchairs are wheelchairs in which the entire seat and back tilt back in space to offer support and positioning to clients who often cannot move on their own.
Reducing the overall weight of a wheelchair and ensuring the wheelchair is configured to your needs help you be more efficient with your push stroke and help to reduce overuse injuries of your shoulders and elbows. Wheelchair technology is improving every year and there are many options and features that can help you to reach your maximum level of functioning. The therapists at Therapy First are experts when it comes to wheelchair prescription.
