Electric wheelchairs
The many types of electric vehicles currently available on the market are divided into three main categories: powered (electric) wheelchairs, scooters and buggies. Within each category there are many different models and accessories each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Before purchasing a specific model, you should always try out the vehicle both in the house and outside, over the main routes that you will be traveling, to make sure that it is suited to your needs. Powered vehicles may not be suitable for everyone. If you have a visual, perceptual or intellectual difficulty, you should seek professional advice before purchasing a user-operated model.
It may be a good idea to hire a vehicle for a short time. If a self-propelled vehicle proves unsuitable, then an attendant-propelled wheelchair could be more suitable.
If you are choosing a powered wheelchair to replace a standard manual wheelchair, it may be worth considering a high performance manual wheelchair instead.
High-performance wheelchairs are lightweight and have large rear wheels which can be positioned slightly further forward than those on a standard manual wheelchair. The resulting redistribution of weight lessens the effort needed to propel or push this type of chair. The reduced weight is also an advantage for lifting and transporting and a high performance chair may be an alternative if a powered vehicle is likely to be frequently transported in an unadapted vehicle.
If you are considering a powered wheelchair solely to cover distances to and from certain places (rather than using it all the time), are able to transfer easily on and off the seat, have strong upper body muscles and do not need to use a specialised seat unit or pressure relief cushion, you may wish to consider choosing a scooter or buggy. Motorized wheelchair users will most often have limited strength in their arms and torso, and thus need to use an external power source. They use a battery (usually a gel cell or wet cell) that must be re-charged on a regular basis. These types of wheelchairs are significantly heavier than most manual wheelchairs because they must house both the battery weight and the weight of any additional adaptive equipment.
• Powered by a battery - Less physical exertion. With your doctor’s approval, Medicare should cover 80% of your wheelchair. Your supplemental or secondary insurance will cover the remainder. Medicare must be your primary insurance carrier in order to file the initial claim with them. If you have secondary insurance, often they will pay any remaining amount that Medicare did not cover. If Medicare is your secondary insurance carrier, you must first file a claim with your primary insurance carrier, wait until you are reimbursed by them, and then file with Medicare with any remaining balance.
Invacare - Invacare is an industry leader in the $6-billion market for home medical products, manufacturing and distributing the world's broadest product offering to approximately 15,000 independent, home medical equipment (HME) providers. Invacare reports results along three geographic segments (North America, Europe and Australasia) and groups its products into four distinct product categories (Standard, Rehab, Medical Supplies and Respiratory). Permobil - One of the most respected names in power wheelchairs. Permobil chairs are light, strong and offer features that can be customized to an individual's needs, like programmable electronics, a choice of operating systems (joystick, head control, sip-and-puff control, etc.), and a range of power options. 21st Century Scientific - 21st Century Scientific, Inc. manufactures Bounder power wheelchairs and accessories. Some models with speeds up to 12mph, some for users up to 1000 lbs. Sunrise Medical - Sunrise Medical is one of the world's largest manufacturers of homecare and extended care products. Founded in 1983, the Sunrise Medical family of products has been built from many of the most popular brands in the homecare industry including Quickie, Sopur, Jay, DeVilbiss, Hoyer, Guardian, Coopers, Oxford and Joerns. Sunrise operates manufacturing facilities in the United States, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Spain. Pride Mobility Products Corp - Pride Mobility is an industry leader in the design, development and manufacture of mobility products—power chairs, scooters and lift chairs—is an enduring organization comprised of persons committed to the service of individuals with disabilities and mobility impairments. Teftec Mobility - Teftec specializes in designing, assembling and marketing motorized wheelchairs. Introduced the TransmissionSteering™ system.
More about wheelchairs... There are many types and styles of wheelchairs. For optimal mobility, it is very important to find a wheelchair that best suits you. For instance, if you plan to use a wheelchair outdoors, buy a wheelchair that is designed for outdoor use. If a wheelchair that is designed for indoor use is used outside, serious injury can occur to the user. Some features to consider: • Weight
|
