Handicapped Mobility Wheelchairs

Filed under Wheelchair

If you have limited mobility, handicapped wheelchairs can restore your qualify of life. Anyone with a medical condition like arthritis, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis or recently had a stroke should consider a handicap wheelchair if they have noticed sudden problems. Mobility restrictions push the patient to depend on others to fulfill many of their needs, frequently for their daily care. Power handicapped wheelchairs can often better one’s ability to care for him or her and promote involvement in sociable events.

What Types of Handicapped Wheelchairs are Available?

Handicapped wheelchairs are referred by many names such as power wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs and motorized wheelchairs. These all refer to the same product. There is also a manual wheelchair and transport wheelchairs. These are not operated on electricity and require some upper body strength. There is also other handicapped equipment to help you get around like a handicapped scooter.

Power handicapped wheelchairs are operated by battery, usually guided by a simple “joystick” device”. The most modern power wheelchairs have a captain’s type seat that supports the trunk fully, and most units can be customized to meet the patient’s needs.

Handicapped wheelchairs may be used for indoor or outdoor use. Handicapped wheel chairs are usually a better choice for indoor use because of their tighter turning radius that allows for maneuvering in and out of tight spaces. Handicapped wheelchairs come equipped with a rechargeable battery and many wheelchair accessories such as wheelchair cushions filled with foam, air or gel.

Why are power handicapped wheelchairs better than traditional wheelchairs?

Advantages of power wheelchairs:

• Handicapped wheelchairs allows a person with little strength and stamina to travel longer distances.
• The controls are very precise and provide stability for most environments.
• There are plenty of styles, wheelchair models and combinations for you to choose. You can get a power wheelchair to match your clothes.

Most people end up purchasing a power wheelchair because they are able to catch their limited mobility before it becomes a bigger problem. If you are still unconvinced of the benefits of a power handicapped wheelchair over the traditional wheelchairs, there are many guides and wheelchair retailers available online. There are many wheelchair specialists who can help you out with questions like does insurance accept my electric wheelchair? and does Medicare qualify for it?

Cost of Wheelchairs

Type of Wheelchair	Price	Cost Reasoning
Manual Wheelchair	$400-$800	Requires no electricity and least amount of maintenance.
Motorized Scooter	$900-$3,000	Great for the elderly and for those with weaker upper strength.
Electric Powerchair	$1,600-$7,500	Easy maneuvering. Travel longer distances. Indoor and outdoor use.
Sports Wheelchair	$2,000-$8,000	Durable on tough terrain, faster speeds and best for outdoor travel.

Tags: power wheelchairs

Wheelchair In A Bathroom

Filed under Handicap Bathroom, Handicap Equipment, Wheelchair

Handicap Bathroom

When you have limited to no mobility, a bathroom that is accessible to a wheelchair, is absolutely necessary. The wheelchair should be able to turn and make rotations in the bathroom. The design of the handicapped bathroom should also be centered on the strengths of the individual. If their dominant hand is the right hand, then the designs should cater to that.

Wheelchair bathroom design

The entrance-way can be designed in different ways. You can have the standard swinging doors, swinging inside or swinging out depending on your housing space and preference. For the more advanced, you may want to plan for doors that slide into the walls. This option is perfect for anyone with limited space and very easy for anyone in a wheelchair to open. The bathroom doors should be wide enough for the wheelchair to enter.

Wheelchair bathroom dimensions

Doors should be at minimum 28 to 32 inches wide. Most wheelchairs have this size as standard. The actual size of the bathroom should not matter. The main concern is accessibility and if the wheelchair user can maneuver around. Most designs have 5 feet turning circle and a 36 inches door entrance.

Wheelchair bathroom sink

Sinks for wheelchairs should be designed so there should be nothing underneath. This allows for the wheelchair to slide into the sink and prevent water splashing onto the person. Make sure the water pipes are shielded from the user by adding some insulation and padding. Pedestal sinks are designed perfectly for the wheelchair because it extends straight up from the ground without hindering movement.

Wheelchair bathroom toilet

Toilets require careful attention to detail. Wheelchairs require a space next to the toilet. Grab bars and paper rolls should be placed where the user can reach them. Handicapped equipment, like raised toilet seats, make it easier and safer for arthritis and mobility impaired individuals, to get on and off the seat. You can obtain the elevated toilet seats with or without arms.

Standard toilet heights are about 15 inches. Wheelchair and disabled users have a required height of 17-19 inches as written in the Americans with Disabilities Act. This is the optimal height but you may able to make due with a lower toilet if you have grab bars installed to assist the wheelchair transfer to the toilet.

Additional things to consider

• Make sure the user can access the bathroom tub easily. This can be accommodated by installing a tub transfer bench.
• Install lots of handicap grab bars. They can be angled, horizontal or vertical grab bars. This will help the wheelchair user transfer to the toilet and transfer to the tub.
• Make sure to install a tiny ramp at the entrance if there is a bump.

Tags: Bathroom Wheelchair, Wheelchair Bathroom Sink, Wheelchair Toilet