When Choosing a Wheelchair

Following is a list of things to consider when you are choosing a wheelchair.

Choosing a Vendor:

• Do you have a local vendor who knows about wheelchairs?
• What local (or other) vendors are recommended by people you know who use wheelchairs?
• Does the vendor service the chairs they sell?
• Will they come to your home to provide service? Or do you have to take the chair to the vendor?

Financial Issues:

• How will you pay for the chair?
• Can the vendor help you find funding if needed?
• What wheelchair features does your insurer consider to be “medically necessary”?
• Features not considered to be “medically necessary” may not be covered.

Wheelchair Size / Shape / Versatility:

• How long is the chair?
• How wide is it?
• How much does it weigh?
• Does the chair fold? Does it need to?

Wheelchair Maintainence:

• Who will clean and maintain the chair at home? At school? (Sometimes power chairs are left at school.)
• Is it “growable”? If not, how long will the person be able to use it?

Using the Wheelchair:

• Who will be pushing the chair? Would taller push handles be helpful?
• Who will be lifting the chair?
• Can the chair be used in all environments – home, school, job, community?
• Will ramps be needed at these locations? If so, who will provide them?

Traveling with the Wheelchair:

• Will the person ride in the chair in the family automobile? School bus or van? Other vehicles?
• Will the person have enough headroom in each vehicle?
• Are tie downs needed for those vehicles? If so, who will provide them?
• Are ramps or lifts needed for those vehicles? If so, who will provide them?

Wheelchair Frame:

• Is it lightweight, for easy pushing and lifting?
• Is it heavy duty, for use by a person who weighs more than 250 pounds, has severe tone issues, or is very active?
• Does it have a “tilt-in-space” frame?
• Does it have a reclining frame?
• Is it low to the floor, so that the user has enough head space when riding in a van and/or transfer safely and easily?
• Is it able to support attachments, such as oxygen tank, ventilator, suction machine, or mounting system for a communication device?

Wheelchair Armrests:

• Are they removable for easier transfers?
• Is the height adjustable to support a lap tray?
• Does the desk length to allow getting close to tables and desks?
• Are they able to flip back so it is easier to reach wheels?

Wheelchair Leg / Foot Supports:

• Are they removable?
• Do the swing-away to assist in transferring?
• Are they able to be elevated?
• Do they provide with a fixed front end for users with excessive tone?

Wheelchair Foot Plates:

• Is the angle adjustable?
• Are they extra large?
• Are they metal or high-density plastic?
• Do they provide with heel or toe loops? Do they flip-up?

Wheelchair Wheels:

• Are the rear wheels 12", 20", or 24" size?
• Are there solid, semi-pneumaticor pneumatic tires?
• Are they equipped with hand rims for self-wheelers?
• Are there front casters? Are they 5", 6", or 8" size?

Why Use Special Seating?

• Supports the pelvis
• Solid, firm seats provide a stable surface for the pelvis
• Contoured seat helps to center pelvis
• Anti--thrust seats help keep the pelvis from sliding forward
• Hip guides and abductors help align hips and thighs
• Gel seats, air-filled cushions or special foams help prevent pressure sores
• Lap belts are used to keep hips back on the seat
• Supports the trunk
• Firm, solid backrest supports the trunk from behind and discourages rounded postur
• Contouring of the backrest may be needed to add lumbar support

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Last updated on March 12, 2006

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