Getting and using a wheelchair is a huge investments for most people. From determining what features are necessary to the total cost, every detail must be carefully thought out to ensure that the wheelchair is exactly what the user needs.
Types of Wheelchairs
According to KidsHealth.org, the two main types of wheelchairs are manual and motorized. A manual wheelchair is lighter and is moved by someone pushing the chair from behind or the user with his hands. These chairs have a seat back that folds forward and wheels that can be easily removed for transportation in a vehicle. People with less mobility might opt for a motorized wheelchair. These chairs are moved using a joystick, much like the ones found on video games. A motorized wheelchair uses a battery for power, which must be charged regularly.
Varieties
There are countless varieties of actual chairs. Some have seats that tilt upward, recline back or rise up to place the user in an upright position. There are even wheelchairs that are only used for specific occasions, such as shower wheelchairs, chairs designed for sports and beach wheelchairs. Beach wheelchairs specifically have features that allow the chair to recline, allowing suntanning, and are made of rust-proof materials or plastic. Shower wheelchairs do not have a full seat, the center is cut out---resembling a toilet seat---and are made of rust-proof materials, unlike traditional wheelchairs. Sports wheelchairs typically have larger back wheels that cover the majority of the chairs' sides with two smaller wheels in the front. This allows you to easily access the large back wheels when playing sports such as basketball.
Getting a Wheelchair
Whether you are using a private insurance company or Medicare, a written prescription must be obtained from a physician to receive either a manual or power wheelchair. When prescribing a manual chair, the doctor must specify that the intention is for the chair to be used outside and inside the home. In the case of motorized wheelchairs, the doctor must specify that the user cannot use a manual wheelchair because of a lack of upper-body strength and the user needs a chair to live his life. The process is extremely slow. It can take several weeks---months in some instances---for the client to receive her wheelchair. The process is lengthy because of insurance requirements, which are often strict, and the amount of paperwork involved. In most cases, insurance or Medicare will pay either all or a significant percentage of the chair's cost.
Children
A great number of disabled children use a manual wheelchair and then graduate to a motorized chair when they are believed to be responsible enough to handle it. Most insurance companies will deny a claim for a new wheelchair within five years of approving one. Because of this reason, pick a wheelchair that can grow with the child.
Cost
According to AbleData.com, the average cost of a manual wheelchair is between $2,000 and $3,000, although the cost can range anywhere from $500 to more than $5,000. TheWheelChairSite.com states that a motorized wheelchair can cost anywhere from $1,600 to $7,500 with added custom features raising the price considerably. Chairs come in various designs and colors that allows the user to add his personal touch.
Member Comments