Motorized Wheelchairs

If your upper body strength is reduced or you cannot use the manual wheelchair to get yourself around, the motorized wheelchair is your best option. Although pricey, up to $7,000 and more, they offer options unavailable in the other models. Maneuvered by a joystick, they are more friendly to differing terrains, can get you in or out of tight spots and offer a number of seating positions.

Seating

It is important to get the dimensions of the seat appropriate to your size. Eighteen inches wide and sixteen inches deep is the standard size for a wheelchair seat. To see if this is adequate for you, measure the distance from one side of your hip to the other by sitting on a measuring tape. Then add two to four inches. You will need it when wearing that heavy winter coat. For the depth of the seat, measure from the back of the seat to the back of your knee and then subtract one or two inches.

The height of the seat is another important factor in user comfort and is measured from the floor to the seat. You don't want your feet dragging because the seat is too low, nor do you want to have trouble getting out of the chair if its too high. Sit and measure from the bottom of the foot to where your leg bends at the knee, adding a couple of inches. As a very general rule, if you are under five feet look for a seat height of about 16 inches; five feet to five feet four inches, seventeen to eighteen inches and anything above, nineteen to twenty one inches. Look for a seat that has a cushion or you will be uncomfortable no matter how tall or wide the wheelchair seat.

Other Features

Once you are comfortable in the seat, you will need to pay attention to your arm supports. If the armrests are fixed or permanent they will not offer any flexibility. Look for adjustable armrests that can be changed to accommodate your size. If they are removable or at least flip back, you will have an easier time getting out of the chair. These armrests are either full length or shorter "desk length" allowing you to sit next to a desk or table.

The leg rests and foot rests support your legs when you are in the wheelchair. The leg rests move up and allow you to lock in the most comfortable elevation. The foot rests don't move up or down but can swing out of the way letting you free access to the seat of the wheelchair.

Power

If you choose an electric or motorized wheelchair over a manual option, here's a quick course in wheelchair batteries. Wheelchairs require a "deep-cycle" battery that can be almost dead before recharging but last longer when kept as fully charged as possible. They are normally charged once a day, usually overnight, and last about a year. There are two types of wheelchair batteries. Wet batteries demand a filling of distilled water every other month and with an inaccessible battery this can be a tedious task. If you are planning to travel by airplane you will have to removed the battery and put it in a sealed container due to airline regulations. Gel batteries are waterless but don't keep "running and running", stopping ten to twenty percent earlier than a water battery. However, this is significant only if you use the wheelchair constantly.

Kick the tires

There are airless tires for your wheelchair that are durable and maintenance free. Unfortunately, there is no cushion of air and your ride will be bumpier. They come in semi-pneumatic with some air inside, tires filled with foam or solid rubber or plastic. The air filled tires are light and produce a smoother, more flexible ride. Flat tires are not uncommon though, and after a few punctures you may have to replace the inner tube. It is not an expensive repair, but can be very inconvenient and an irritant.