As our parents slowly enter their old age, many people worry about how their children should choose a wheelchair for their parents. Because they don’t know how much electric wheelchairs cost or electric scooters for the elderly, many people are confused about how to choose one. Here YOUHA Medical Equipment Co., Ltd. will share with you how to choose a good electric wheelchair.
For paralysis, stroke, amputees and frail elderly people, wheelchairs are like their legs and an important tool to help them improve their ability to take care of themselves, get to work, and return to society.
Nowadays, there are many types and styles of wheelchairs on the market. At this time, users may not know what kind of wheelchair will be more suitable. Many people even hold almost all wheelchairs and just buy one. This idea is completely wrong. Because each rider’s physical condition, use environment and purpose of use are different, wheelchairs with different structures and functions are required. According to research, 80% of patients who currently use wheelchairs choose the wrong wheelchair or use it improperly.
Generally, users use wheelchairs for a long time. An unsuitable wheelchair is not only uncomfortable and unsafe to ride, but may also cause secondary injuries to the user. Therefore, it is very important to choose a suitable wheelchair. But how can we correctly choose a suitable wheelchair?
1. General selection requirements for wheelchairs
Wheelchairs are not only used indoors, but also often outdoors. For some patients, a wheelchair may become their means of mobility between home and work. Therefore, the choice of wheelchair should meet the needs of the rider’s condition, and the specifications and dimensions should be adapted to the user’s body shape to make the ride comfortable and stable;
The wheelchair should also be strong, reliable, and durable. It should be firmly fixed to the ground to avoid shaking when transferring; it should be easy to fold and carry; it should be effortless to drive and consume less energy.
2. How to choose the type of wheelchair
The wheelchairs we generally see include high-back wheelchairs, ordinary wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs, competition sports wheelchairs, etc. When choosing a wheelchair, the nature and degree of the user’s disability, age, general functional status, and the place of use should be taken into consideration.
3. How to choose the size of a wheelchair
Buying a wheelchair should be like buying clothes, the size should also fit. Appropriate size can make the force on each part even, which is not only comfortable, but also prevents adverse consequences. The main suggestions are as follows:
(1) Seat width selection: When the patient is sitting in a wheelchair, there should be a gap of 2.5 cm between both sides of the buttocks and the two inner surfaces of the wheelchair;
(2) Seat length selection: When the patient is sitting in a wheelchair, there should be 6.5 cm between the popliteal fossa (the depression directly behind the knee, where the thigh and calf join) and the front edge of the seat;
(3) Selection of backrest height: Generally, the difference between the upper edge of the backrest and the patient’s armpit is about 10 cm, but this should be determined according to the functional status of the patient’s trunk. The higher the backrest, the more stable the patient is when sitting; the lower the backrest, the easier it is for the trunk and upper limbs to move.
(4) Selection of foot pedal height: The foot pedal should be at least 5 cm from the ground. If it is a footrest that can be adjusted up and down, the footrest can be adjusted so that the bottom 4 cm of the front of the thigh does not contact the seat cushion after the patient is seated.
(5) Selection of armrest height: After the patient is seated, it is appropriate to flex the elbow joint 90 degrees and then add 2.5 centimeters upward.
Post time: Mar-11-2024