wheelchair accessories

Trends in Electric Wheelchairs and Related Accessories

by admin on February 9, 2010

Gone are the days when the only kind of wheelchair that you could get would be the manual ones. Now you have electric wheelchairs that are quite good for those who have weaker upper bodies as well as lower body problems and disabilities. The increasing popularity of electric wheelchairs which can be just plugged into the mains and charged is due to the much enhanced mobility that these afford.

Motorized wheelchairs contain motor and heavy batteries that contribute to the greater weight and sturdiness of the wheelchairs. The basic idea is to give a friendly experience to users, though the consoles and the controls may be sometimes anything but simple. These wheelchairs have various models and are on offer at varied price points, with their increasingly common usage being attributed to the much greater mobility that they afford the old or physically challenged persons.

Another category of wheelchairs are the power wheelchairs which have a number of drive options (also with unique wheelchair accessories). While these are heavy and unwieldy in transportation, there are some of the rear wheel drive type power wheelchairs which are quite fast even though they do not offer much of a smooth drive on uneven surfaces. Front wheel drive wheelchairs are more stable and could also come in some options where the turning radius is designed to be small, also affording greater control.

Another area that is of concern to wheelchair users is aesthetics and looks. Users are now discerning and demanding that the wheelchair look more like a scooter than a traditional wheelchair. This is why there are so many ultra light and optimized wheelchairs that can be customized to look exactly how the user wants them to look. It is quite true that form is gaining credence and importance over functionality.

In the past, disabled people would be hauled over to their bedrooms by a pretty strong person as power chairs also have problems with stairs. Now we have stair lifts that help people get about stairs without any assistance. Automatic and semiautomatic disabled lifts are available in slide and folding platform types. Many buildings, public and even private transportation vehicles now come with automatic disabled lifts (fantastic travel accessories).

The use of chair lifts is gaining popularity as there is a realization that aged or disabled people may be around that have problems in rising from a chair and moving about. Precisely modifiable chairs are also possible in this day and age. One can look forward to those times when there will be custom chairs that can even ascend stairs.

{ 0 comments }

Mobility Accessories and does Medicare cover them?

by ChangeYourLife on January 3, 2010

The world of wheelchairs is ever evolving, with accessories being added in and adapted as more and more manual and powered wheelchairs come to the forefront. The objective of these new wheelchair and accessories is to provide security and comfort to users.

There are quite a few goals of wheelchair seating like supporting posture, safety, pressure management and promoting function, many of which are competing goals. Users have also upped their demands in terms of materials and improved features for better flexibility and stability also. There are so many features like ability to vary the height, depth and width of the seat. In addition, cushions and backrests can be added for people with special needs being able to order custom wheelchairs.

One can add a great deal of convenience to mobility by adding in wheelchair accessories like packs, and bags, carriers and holders, drink or cup holders, and even trays and push gloves. Human testing has been done by the United States Access Board (ATBCB) so as to study the amount of energy required for persons who may or may not have disabilities vis-à-vis negotiating outdoor surfaces. There are certain physiological parameters that were shared with design companies to design suitable wheelchairs and accessories. These parameters include heart rate, velocity and oxygen consumption as well as perceived exertion levels. Users who had greater upper extremity function wanted greater movement ability which is why they may exclude some accessories.

Cup holders are available at online retailers or wheelchair stores in the price range of $10-30. Most new mobility chairs do not have a cup holder. Most American front users see great utility in cup holders, even though some may see these as a trivial detail. Cup holders allow the comfort and convenience of being able to sip a cup of Joe or some other energy beverage, a luxury everyone should be entitled to.

An individual can now use electric scooters for gliding on a variety of surfaces with some of these even being motorized and foldable so that you can carry these in the car trunk. People who have limited mobility or are advanced in age can use electric wheelchairs which do not require any physical exertion or effort. Physically challenged people have been specially blessed by the invention of electric wheelchairs as it affords a world of convenience and comfort.

You can get a wide variety of scooters where these could vary on weight capacities, suspensions and also whether these are front or back wheel drive types. You can also get scooter arm tote bags that can fit easily to the arm of the scooter. In the case of electric wheelchairs, you can have the chair lift itself on an elevated surface without any assistance from others. Scooter users are also promised the time of their life on rides.

80% of expenses of accessories are reimbursed by Medicare for those who qualify. In some cases, patients who have severe hip Arthritis or neuromuscular disease will be able to qualify for this benefit. In most cases, Medicare does not allow reimbursements for accessories that are used outside the home. In most cases, a medical prescription is needed by the supplier when you are paying for the product. If you have Medicare as the primary insurance carrier, you can file the initial claim with them, with any amount not being covered by Medicare being reimbursed by secondary insurance service provider.

{ 0 comments }