The Halo Healthcare Guide To Buying A Wheelchair
Buying a wheelchair can be often be an overwhelming time - with so many options and types of wheelchair to buy, finding the right chair for you that fits your needs and your lifestyle can seem like a lot!
Our easy, comprehensive wheelchair buying guide aims to make it simple to select the right chair for you.
Click "read more" below and we'll take you through:
- The different types of wheelchair you can buy
- Things to consider when you're shopping for a new wheelchair
- How to decide which wheelchair is right for you
- Everything you need to know about customizing and accessorizing your chair to perfectly match your needs
Manual Wheelchairs
We provide a wide range of high-quality manual wheelchair styles. Manual wheelchairs can be self-propelled, propelled with assistance, or a hybrid of both.
Things to Consider before Choosing a Wheelchair
- Do you need a wheelchair permanently? Or temporarily?
- Your weight (do you need a bariatric wheelchair?)
- Whether you need a folding chair and whether the wheelchair will fit in a vehicle if needed
- How frequently you will use the wheelchair (i.e., do you need a supplemental seat cushion for comfort?)
- Is the chair for indoor or outdoor use - or both?
- Do you need a wheelchair ramp?
- Whether the chair will be maneuverable in your home (hallways, entrances, and turning radius)
- Will you be able to maneuver the wheelchair over the thresholds in your home?
That's why we have a broad range of wheelchairs that offer you the mobility and reliability that you're looking for. Ready to get a wheelchair that helps you move around your home, neighborhood, or workplace? At Halo Healthcare, our brands of wheelchairs are carefully chosen for quality to ensure your safety and ease of movement.
What Are The Common Types of Wheelchairs You Can Buy?
Bariatric Wheelchairs
Bariatric wheelchairs are often thought of as heavy-duty wheelchairs or extra wide wheelchairs with reinforced cross braces, and various other design features to ensure that they can safely transport heavier individuals.
These wheelchairs are made for the safety and comfort of the individual who needs to use them. They are often referred to as “heavy-duty” because they have an increased weight capacity, reinforced cross braces, and various other design features which make it easier to transport heavier people.
Heavy-Duty Wheelchairs Benefits
Bariatric wheelchairs are a necessity for those who have undergone bariatric surgery or qualify as obese. These chairs are heavy-duty, with an aluminum frame and pneumatic tires to offer maximum stability and durability. They can be adjusted to fit various heights, leg lengths, arm lengths, and widths of the occupant's body.
The chairs offer many benefits such as added durability, lower seat height, raised seat back, and wider wheelbase. The bariatric wheelchair also offers a durable frame that can accommodate users weighing up to 500 pounds. This makes it an excellent choice for individuals who require extra strength.
The design of the chair helps improve balance, allowing for smoother transfers. These chairs also utilize suspension technology so the individual can move more smoothly than with other wheelchairs.
How do I use a bariatric wheelchair?
A bariatric wheelchair is designed for use by people who exceed the maximum weight limit of conventional wheelchairs. Generally, they are equipped with wider seats and backs to accommodate great widths and depths. In order to safely use a heavy-duty wheelchair, it is necessary to have a qualified attendant or caregiver assist you in transferring from your current mobility device so that you can get in the proper position.
Standard Wheelchair
Standard wheelchairs are a type of wheelchair that is designed to provide mobility for people who have limited or no use of their lower limbs. They are typically designed for one person and can be propelled by hand cranking, power sources, or by pushing with the arms.
The most common type of standard wheelchair is the folding wheelchair, which is the most portable design out there. With a folding wheelchair, you can put it in your trunk or store it under your bed when not in use.
Pediatric Wheelchairs
Pediatric wheelchairs are made specifically to accommodate the size, weight, and height of children. They are usually smaller in stature than an adult's wheelchair to help them better fit into the world around them.
The positioning of handgrips is also manipulated to be more age-appropriate for a child. In general, these chairs are meant to be less bulky and offer a balance between supporting a child's need for mobility while also empowering them with a sense of independence.
Standard Wheelchairs vs Lightweight Wheelchairs
The average weight of a standard wheelchair is 15kg+, and they are often foldable but with limited convenience. The material used is typically steel, which weighs more than aluminum and makes the wheelchair heavier. Another difference is that they are not as portable as foldable chairs.
It's important for people with mobility issues to be as mobile and independent as possible. That's why there is a range of lightweight wheelchairs available. The lightweight wheelchairs are also designed to be durable, stable, easy to use, and comfortable. They operate similarly to conventional wheelchairs but offer more maneuverability and better weight distribution for the user. Lightweight wheelchairs are often made of aluminum frames and smaller, lighter-weight parts.
They weigh less than the standard wheelchair, which increases comfort and reduces strain on the wrists, arms, back, and neck. It is also easy to fold up when not in use.
Bariatric Wheelchair vs Standard Wheelchair
Bariatric wheelchairs are specifically designed for people weighing up to 350 pounds or more. The weight capacity means they will not break from the pressure from sitting on them for an extended period of time. They also have a wider seat area and a larger foot area, with a width of 30 inches. The seat is adjustable by seven inches in front and back, and it has a higher maximum weight capacity of 500 pounds versus the standard which only holds 300 pounds.
A standard wheelchair is a chair intended for use by people with limited mobility, which is often rigid enough to allow the user to get on and off the chair without help. It consists of a frame, footrests, arm supports, and wheels.
Wheelchair Cushions & Accessories
Wheelchair cushions are typically made of soft, flexible, and durable materials to lessen discomfort. Wheelchair cushions can come in a variety of shapes and sizes to meet the needs of the individual.
There are a number of different accessories that are available for wheelchairs. Some of these may include:
- Seat belt,
- Wedges,
- Footrests,
- Armrests,
- Trays,
- Oxygen tank holders,
- Cup holders, and
- Bags
Some people may use multiple different types of accessories to achieve various benefits or alter the shape or height of their wheelchair.
Halo Healthcare offers a wide range of wheelchairs in Canada and US so you can decide which one is best for you.