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Choosing the Right Electric Wheelchair for You
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Choosing the right electric wheelchair for you or a loved one can be a serious matter and should not be taken lightly. After all, electric wheelchairs are not cheap, even if they are paid for with insurance or some other program such as medicare or medicaid. There are safety and confort issues as well as physical space limitations that must be considered.
If you or anyone that you are close with are wheelchair bound, then you know the limitations that they encompass. All too often doorways are not wide enough; hills are too steep to maneuver alone, not to mention the sore arms and blistered fingers. In the article below, Peter Wallander provides five tips on choosing the right electric wheelchair for you.
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5 Tips to Choosing the Right Electric Wheelchair for You
If you or anyone that you are close with are wheelchair bound, then you know the limitations that they encompass. All too often doorways are not wide enough; hills are too steep to maneuver alone, not to mention the sore arms and blistered fingers. Enter the electric wheelchairs. These newer chairs are equipped with electric motors that replace the manual tire rotation that you may be accustomed to. Electric wheelchairs offer a chair bound person a freedom that was never within their reach before. However, it is still important to choose the right electric chair for you and your personal situation.
1- When beginning the process of selecting the correct electric wheelchair for your situation, it is important to know how much money that you have to work with. Call your medical insurance provider; they will be able to answer this question for you. You will also need to decide how much of your personal money will be available to add to the insurance companies figures. The average electric chair can run anywhere from $5,000.00 to over $30,000.00, keep this in mind when you are shopping.
2- You will need to decide upon such features as the height and support of the back that you will want. You personal physical limitations will help you determine this, for example, if you have little or no upper body muscle strength, it is recommended that the back be tilted at a 45 degree angle. Speak with a physical therapist or with your personal physician to determine the correct angle for you.
3- The control system that you choose will also be somewhat dependant upon your physical limitations. There are many types of systems to choose from, a joystick is very popular and works in much the same way as with a video game. However, if you do not have any arm control, you may need a chair that is equipped with a control system that is controlled by the head, the trunk of the body or through propulsion. Again, your doctor will be able to help you to decide which type of control system is right for you.
4- Once you get these basics of the electric wheelchair decided upon, it is time to customize it specifically for you. You can choose how much or how little padding should be added to the back of the chair, the type of leg and foot supports, height of the chair, even the fabric and paint that you prefer. These options may or may not increase the overall cost of the chair depending upon what the manufacturer offers.
5- It is very important that you take an electric wheelchair for a test drive before you agree to purchase it. Many companies will let you try it out for a period of time that ranges from a couple of hours to a couple of days. Taking advantage of this option will allow you to get the right wheelchair for you.
Visit http://find-wheelchairs.info or http://wheelchairs-resources.info to learn more about wheelchair boat lift and wheelchair.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Wallander
One disadvantage of buying a used electric wheelchair is the non-transferability of the warranty on the chair. There are also certain other disadvantages to consider such as the chair’s physical dimensions, capabilities, condition, fittings and accessories. Because of the many different options and accessories available for wheelchairs it is better to be well informed before buying a used electric wheelchair.
Electric Wheel Chairs Info provides detailed information about electric wheelchair lifts and scooters, used electric wheelchairs, electric indoor wheelchairs, Medicare, electric wheelchair reviews, and more. Electric Wheel Chairs Info is the sister site of Scooters Web.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kent_Pinkerton
It should be stressed that may times electric wheelchairs and electric scooters are available at little or NO cost to you, depending upon your insurance qualifications.
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Need a Power Wheelchair? Get a free consultation for a new powered wheelchair and stay mobile.
If this is all new to you, an electric wheelchair is a personal mobility device that usually has six wheels and is steered using a "joystick". Sometimes referred to as a motorized wheelchair, power wheelchair, or just power chairs, they generally offer superior in-home maneuverability, fit almost anywhere and turn on a dime. An electric wheelchair is primarily designed for people who need help getting around indoors.
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Stay mobile with a new scooter or power wheelchair. Medicare or Medicaid Payment Options
Product availability varies by geographic location, so please check with your Personal Mobility Consultant for more information.
Note: Your physician determines the right power mobility solution for you based on your medical needs.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) allows for an electric wheelchair, power chair or POV/Scooter to be prescribed by the beneficiary's treating physician or practitioner. However, due to the relative safety risks associated with POV/Scooters compared to electric wheelchairs or power chairs, CMS recommends that POV/Scooters be prescribed by a Rheumatologist, Neurologist, Physiatrist, or Orthopedist.
