Valuable Electric Wheelchair Options

You should talk with your doctor or physical therapist before buying an electric wheelchair and make sure all your questions are answered. A new wheelchair cannot simply be returned if it doesn't meet your needs, so compare your options and shop around. Insurance companies and Medicare do not replace power wheelchairs for several years after purchase unless your physical condition has changed.

Does a Power Wheelchair Meet Your Mobility Needs?

A power wheelchair may not be right for your mobility needs; ask your doctor. If you have no trouble pushing yourself in a manual wheelchair, Medicare or your insurance may not want to pay for a power wheelchair. If you normally have to access areas which manual wheelchairs have trouble with then a power wheelchair may be useful. You can get a power wheelchair which is capable of clearing thresholds up to three inches high.

If you are capable of walking with a cane and can get around your own home, you may not be a candidate for a power wheelchair. A power scooter is more economical and can provide added mobility outside or in larger areas. Because of their bulkier frame, they have a turning radius which makes them hard to use in small spaces. Heavy duty scooters can support weights of up to 500 pounds.

If you cannot use a power scooter or a manual wheelchair, because your physical condition makes it difficult to push yourself or enter or exit a scooter, you will need a power wheelchair. You may also need a power wheelchair if your mobility problem is permanent, or caused by a medical condition which may further reduce movement in the future.

What Kind of Power Wheelchair Is Right for You?

Motorized wheelchairs come in two main types, the motorized version of a manual wheelchair or power wheelchair, and the power-base wheelchair, a base mechanism to which a chair is attached.

If you like the manual wheelchair but want an electric motor, a power wheelchair is based on the same design. A power-base wheelchair has a more advanced mechanism but lacks the portability of the light-weight power wheelchair.