It is said that when people get old, their legs get old first. When the elderly reach a certain age, their legs and feet start to feel weak. They want to go for a walk but have no one to accompany them. More and more families will choose to consider buying electric wheelchairs for the elderly for transportation. As long as the cognitive ability of the elderly is good, an electric wheelchair can basically meet the needs of daily life. So what knowledge do we need about electric wheelchairs?
Electric wheelchair VS ordinary wheelchair
The advantage of an ordinary wheelchair is that its price is relatively low, which is a more affordable choice for people with poor economic conditions. However, ordinary wheelchairs also have some disadvantages. Ordinary wheelchairs need to be pushed by others. For people with certain disabilities, they may not be able to move completely autonomously. In addition, the seat cushion and seat width of ordinary wheelchairs are relatively narrow. If the user is fat, it may feel crowded when sitting on it. For overweight users, it will be very difficult to sit on and operate, and the waist may be uncomfortable if sitting for a long time. . Moreover, when we use wheelchairs, we often encounter climbing situations. Ordinary wheelchairs struggle to climb slopes. If they encounter a long slope, they may even overturn.
Let’s take a look at the advantages of electric wheelchairs. The biggest advantage of an electric wheelchair is its ability to move autonomously. The electric wheelchair has the characteristics of simple operation, saving labor and worry, and saving guardianship manpower. It expands the functions of manual wheelchairs and adds a wider range of life activities to the lives of wheelchair users. In addition, the electric wheelchair also has high safety, because it can control the speed and direction through the remote control. When we use wheelchairs, we often encounter climbing situations. Electric wheelchairs are driven by electricity, so climbing is not difficult. Electric wheelchairs are more expensive than ordinary wheelchairs, but they have a higher safety factor, are easier to operate, and are more comfortable.
Selection of electric wheelchairs
1. The weight of the wheelchair
Many wheelchair merchants only talk about the wheelchair motor and battery when they are showing, but avoid the problem of the weight of the wheelchair. For the elderly, they do not have much strength. If you buy an overweight wheelchair, it will be inconvenient to use.
For a wheelchair weighing more than 25 kilograms, it is a bit difficult for an adult to lift it, and for a wheelchair weighing more than 30 kilograms, two people are basically required to move it. Because the wheelchair itself is bulky, there is a certain weight when it is folded up and carried. Therefore, when purchasing, you should estimate whether there are other people in the family who can assist in the handling.
Two, simple and complex functions
The elderly belong to a special social group with special physical, psychological and behavioral characteristics. For the elderly, the functions designed on the wheelchair do not need to be complicated or easy to use, the key point is whether the operation is simple. Unless the elderly have special needs, such as paralysis, it is better not to have too many buttons on the wheelchair. General basic wheelchair buttons include: switch, horn, speed control button.
3. Security issues
Outdoor wheelchairs with a seat height of more than 60cm are dangerous. If the center of gravity is too high, they will tip over when going up and downhill. Therefore, don’t listen to the high and comfortable seats advertised by some businesses and choose a wheelchair with an overly high seat.
Routine maintenance and maintenance
1. Before using the wheelchair, check the screws of the front wheel, the rear wheel and the spokes of the rear wheel. If there is any looseness, please lock it (due to transportation bumps and other factors, the screws of the wheelchair may be loosened). Especially after any adjustments have been made to the wheelchair.
2. Check whether the inflation of the tire is normal. If there is insufficient air, please inflate it in time. The inflation method is the same as that of a bicycle.
3. During the use of the wheelchair, it is necessary to check whether the motors, screws and rear wheel spokes of each part are loose every month. If there is any looseness, lock it in time to avoid potential safety hazards.
4. The active parts should be lubricated every week to prevent inflexible activities. After using the wheelchair, wipe off the moisture and dirt on the surface with a soft dry cloth to prevent rust.
5. The wheelchair should be stored in a dry place to avoid moisture and rust; the seat cushion and backrest should be kept clean to prevent the growth of bacteria.
Post time: Apr-05-2023