Electric Wheelchairs (Power Chairs) and Manual Wheelchairs

 

If you or a loved one is in need of a wheelchair, the first decision that needs to be made is whether a power wheelchair or manual wheelchair would be most appropriate. Each type of power chair has its own distinct advantages and disadvantages, but in most cases there is a clear, definitive answer to which type of chair would be most beneficial to the user. Here, we will point out key differences between the two types of wheelchairs.

 

This is the most important aspect of choosing between a manual wheelchair and an electric power chair. If the user has the intent of using their wheelchair most or all of the day, a manual wheelchair can be quite exhausting. Although manual wheelchairs have improved significantly over the years in weight and maneuverability, a considerable amount of upper body strength is still required to use a manual wheelchair on a regular basis. 
 

Many people who suffer from paralysis choose to go with the power wheelchair, especially those with severe paralysis. The majority of power chairs are controlled by a joystick mounted on the left or right armrest. The joystick is very simple to use and is actually the same type of controls that an electric wheelchair would have had when they were first invented. Requiring very little effort, the joystick control is the best option for those with severely limited mobility and paralysis.

Travelling
 

Travelling with a manual wheelchair is considerably easier than travelling with an electric wheelchair. Some manual wheelchairs can fold up and weigh less than 30 pounds, making them extremely easy to pack up and transport in the trunk of your car. Even though there are power chairs that easily disassemble for transport, most power chairs do not. An electric wheelchair usually weighs significantly more than a manual wheelchair and they are much bulkier. Many people who travel with an electric power chair have a special vehicle (usually a van) that can lift the wheelchair user and power chair at the same time into the vehicle. This option is very expensive. A much cheaper alternative is a vehicle wheelchair lift or carrier that will lift the power chair into the trunk or back of your SUV. In the vehicle wheelchair lift category there are manual lifts and power lifts. Power lifts are a little more expensive, but take a lot of the hassle from loading your wheelchair or scooter in the car.