Things to think about when you choose a wheelchair
Where to begin
It is always a good idea to work with an experienced therapist and vendor when you are selecting a wheelchair, mobility device or Home care Equipment.
Choosing a vendor
- Do you have a local vendor who knows about wheelchairs?
- Has the vendor been in the business of selling Durable medical equipment for long?
- Are they experienced enough to be able to service what they sell in a timely fashion?
- What local vendors are recommended by other people you know who use wheelchairs?
- Does the vendor service the chairs they sell? Do they Service equipment they don’t sell?
- Will they come to your home to provide service? Or do you have to take the chair to the vendor?
Financial issues
- How will you pay for the equipment?
- Can the vendor help you find funding if needed?
- What wheelchair features does your insurer consider to be “medically necessary”?
- Features not considered to be “medically necessary” may not be covered.
Basic considerations
- How long is the chair?
- How wide is it?
- How much does it weigh?
- Does the chair fold? Does it need to?
Maintaining the chair
- Who will clean and maintain the chair at home? At school (sometimes power chairs are left at school).
- Is it “growable”? If not, how long will the person be able to use it?
Using the chair
- Who will be pushing the chair? Would taller push handles be helpful?
- Who will be lifting the chair?
- Can the chair be used in all environments – home, school, job, community?
- Will ramps be needed at these locations? If so, who will provide them?
Traveling with the chair
- Will the person ride in the chair in: The family automobile? School bus or van? Other vehicles?
- Will the person have enough headroom in each vehicle?
- Are tie downs needed for those vehicles? If so, who will provide them?
- Are ramps or lifts needed for those vehicles? If so, who will provide them?
