Empower yourself with a Powerchair
For those with long or short term disabilities and are wheelchair bound the motorized wheelchair will help you to adjust to your disability and provide freedoms that a manual wheelchair does not provide. With the addition of some of these luxuries the cost of a motorized wheelchair is substantially more than with a manual wheelchair.
Medicare Coverage
A basic motorized wheelchair can run anywhere from a couple of thousand dollars to a whopping $30,000 as high tech upgrades are added to the base model. The cost can be substantial but there is a program, Medicare, that has benefits that make it possible for some to acquire a new motorized wheelchair at no cost.
In a nutshell if you are able to perform day to day tasks with only the assistance of a walker or cane then you may not qualify. Medicare stipulates that the coverage of cost of a powerchair is dependent on your ability to perform everyday tasks such as getting dressed, going to the bathroom, bathing etc.. If you are unable to do these daily functions and require assistance then you may qualify. Some private insurance companies will still cover some of the burden so it's alway's best to talk with your insurance specialist about your policy before committing to a powerchair.
Building a Powerchair to fit your needs
There are a number of ways the typical powerchair can be modified to fit the needs of an individuals specific needs. For example, if you have a disability involving your hands then the joystick controller that powers the motorized wheelchairs movements can be modified to be used with another part of the body or through speech.
You can also have modifications made to make the chair more comfortable to sit in. Some of these enhancements include special memory foam cushions or arm rests and seats that can be used while bathing.
Safety
With the added benefit of a motorized wheel chair comes the responsibility to keep you and the ones around you safe. Some chairs can move at a high rate of speed and are very maneuverable so being in tune with your surroundings is of the utmost importance. The typical motorized wheelchair is very heavy and a collision with another person can result in serious injury.
With a little research and practice you can master the powerchair and get your life back on track!
Heavy Duty Wheelchairs
What separates the heavy duty wheel chair from a standard manual wheelchair? Simply put it is the construction and quality and durability of materials used. Although a standard manual wheelchair will get the job done if all you need to do is go to the store or roll into the other room. If you want to play sports or take a trail that is unpaved then the standard wheelchair will fall short.
A heavy duty wheelchair is made for such events and is exactly what you'll need to get the job done. A heavy duty wheelchair is designed with stronger materials, knobby or wide tires, a larger footprint, and on some models you'll even get shock absorbers.
A wheelchair like this is not for everyday use unless of course you are incredibly strong. There are lighter weight wheelchairs out there but they are not as stable which means your heavy duty wheelchair will be very heavy and more difficult to transport.
Keep this in mind when looking for a heavy duty wheelchair, they have their place and hopefully you can get to the place in your life where a chair like this will help to keep you active and health conscious!