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!
What is a Powerchair?
What is a Powerchair?
A powerchair or electric motorized wheelchair is a wheelchair that does not need to be pushed. The wheelchair is propelled by twin motors mounted for front, rear, or mid wheel drive. In most cases and the joystick style controls are on the armrest for ease of use and can be on either the left or right side.
Most models will give an average traveling range of 20-30 miles between charges and a top speed of 4-6mph depending on the model you get. One thing to keep in mid is powerchairs are not street legal and for your safety you should never try to take one on the road. There are some street legal mobility scooters available if that is what you need.
The most important attribute of the powerchair is the manufactures ability to personalize it for the comfort of the user. With adjustable armrests, leg rests, and multiple seating options, the powerchair is the wheelchair of choice when it comes to spending long time periods in the wheelchair.
With recent advances in wheelchair technology the day's of bulky overweight wheelchairs is over. The modern powerchairs are borrowing off many of the conveniences of the mobility scooter and incorporating them into the modern powerchairs design. The newer models are designed to be lightweight, portable, and easy to transport. This equates to a much more convenient user experience as very little help is needed to transport and assemble the powerchair. This is, after all, what the powerchair is all about; convenience.
The modern powerchair is also fit for outdoor use. There are powerchairs available for off road use that are more rugged and have suspensions suitable for use in the park or camping too. Off road powerchairs can also have bigger tires suitable for all terrain use.
Which Powerchair is right for you?
This is a difficult question but the most important factor in determining which powerchair is it's use. A high end powerchair that is designed for high speed will not be as maneuverable in the home and a lightweight maneuverable powerchair will not work well outside. Consider the things that are most important to you and pick a chair that will work with your way of living.