Our Wheelchair Assessment Service provided by our physical and occupational therapists can improve mobility through the proper recommendation of customized wheelchairs. Let’s look at different types of wheelchairs and their purpose.
6 main types of manual wheelchairs for seniors
Ultra-lightweight and lightweight wheelchairs
Manual wheelchairs typically weigh between 25 to 40 pounds. They work well for travel and are easier to lift in and out of the car for quick errands.
These lightweight chairs are often constructed with titanium, carbon steel, or aluminum. They have large back wheels with much smaller front wheels.
These wheelchairs allow a person to push themselves. Or, caregivers can use the gripped handles to push their older adult in the chair.
Standard wheelchairs
Similar to lightweight manual wheelchairs, standard wheelchairs also have large back wheels and small front wheels. The difference is that they weigh more than lightweight wheelchairs.
For people with enough upper body strength, these are the most common type of wheelchair. Of course, caregivers can also push these using the handles.
Bariatric and heavy-duty wheelchairs
Heavier people can benefit from heavy-duty wheelchairs that are engineered with stronger frames and large seats to support those who weigh between 300 to 700 pounds.
Designed for ample weight disbursement, heavy duty chairs may feature a reclining seat and also make it easier for a caregiver to manually push their older adult without using excessive force.
Tilt and recliner wheelchairs
If your older adult needs help from two or more people to get in and out of bed or onto the toilet, a wheelchair with a tilting or reclining seat could be helpful.
These types of manual wheelchairs allow a caregiver to safely lower a backrest towards the ground and then, with another person, lift their older adult out of the chair and onto a bed or recliner.
Transport wheelchairs
Transport wheelchairs are often used in hospital settings but are also available for home use.
They’re different from standard wheelchairs because they have a small back and front wheels — instead of large back wheels and small front wheels.
This means that the person sitting in the wheelchair can’t propel themselves. They need to be pushed by someone else.
Transfer wheelchairs are usually lightweight and are good for short outings. However, the small wheels might not roll as well over outdoor terrain as well as the larger wheels of a standard wheelchair.
Get A Wheelchair Assessment
To get a wheelchair assessment from Choice Therapy in northern Minnesota, request a free evaluation!