In the United States, there are about 2.7 million wheelchair users. However, there are many different types of wheelchairs you can choose from that include different features and different benefits.
If you are choosing between a powered and a manual mobility wheelchair, it is important to know the benefits of each.
Do you want to learn more about the benefits of buying a power wheelchair and why it might be the best choice for your circumstances? Keep reading these top seven rewarding power wheelchair benefits.
1. Improves Mobility & Independence
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One of the biggest benefits of choosing a power wheelchair is that it can improve your mobility and independence. When you are unable to walk or move on your own, it can seem overwhelming to do anything.
However, power wheelchairs make it easy to move around, even if you do not have the arm strength for a manual wheelchair.
To make it simpler to move around and to maintain your mobility, a power wheelchair might be the best option.
2. Provide Energy & Constant Power
While power wheelchairs need to be charged to function, they provide energy and constant power to their users. When you use a manual wheelchair, you can only go as far as you can push yourself. This may make it difficult to travel to new places or to spend too much time out of your house.
While you can get exhausted and may not be able to push a manual wheelchair, electric wheelchairs will give you energy as long as their batteries are charged. This makes it much easier to go out and about, even if there is a bit of difficult terrain to navigate.
When you want to stay active and are regularly going out and about, a power wheelchair is a right choice.
3. Much Sturdier Option
Another important benefit of a power wheelchair is that they are a sturdier option than manual wheelchairs. While this may make your wheelchair heavier and harder to transport, it will keep you safer while you use it.
Because it is sturdy, you can rely on your power wheelchair and be confident that it will not tip from side to side when you are using it. You also do not have to worry about your power wheelchair getting damaged as easily as a manual wheelchair.
4. Maximum Comfort
Next, electric wheelchairs provide you with maximum comfort that can suit your lifestyle needs. When you consider your daily routine and how you will use your chair, it is important that you find something that will not be uncomfortable, as you will spend a majority of your day in your wheelchair.
First, a power wheelchair typically has better seat padding. When you are sitting for long periods of time, having extra padding will keep you from being sore or uncomfortable. These wheelchairs also come with foot and headrests.
Next, you can choose different types of controls for your wheelchairs, depending on your mobility. This makes it easy to control where you go in your power wheelchair without having to make any unnatural or uncomfortable movements to control where you go.
5. Prevents Accidental Rolling
Something else to consider when you are choosing your new wheelchair is which options are the safest.
While both a manual wheelchair and a power wheelchair can help you improve your independence, you may find that a lightweight manual wheelchair is less reliable. For example, there is always a risk that you can roll over in a manual wheelchair.
If you are on uneven surfaces and begin tipping from side to side, it can be a frightening and dangerous experience.
However, the extra weight of a power wheelchair keeps it sturdier and prevents you from accidentally rolling. Instead, you have complete control over where you want to go in your wheelchair.
6. Useful for Any Terrain
Power wheelchairs can also be used on almost any terrain, both indoors and outdoors. While it can be more expensive to get an all-terrain wheelchair, it offers you much more independence and comfort, while allowing you to do the things that you love.
Something to understand is that the battery and the range of your power wheelchair may not last as long when you are going over uneven or bumpy terrain. However, it is still a great option that is helpful when you are traveling or spending time outdoors.
If you want more options for driving and traction, you can also choose between front-wheel electric wheelchairs, mid-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, all-terrain wheelchairs, and more.
7. Offer Many Other Features
Finally, power wheelchairs are the best choice for a new wheelchair because they offer many additional features and can be fully customized to fit your needs. While all power wheelchairs run on batteries and are controlled by some type of joystick, chin, or hand controller, there are other things that you can customize.
For example, you can find some types of power wheelchairs that can fold up and are portable for travel.
Other types of wheelchairs can be customized to work on outside terrain. No matter what features you are looking for, you can find them in a power wheelchair. If you need a high-quality power wheelchair, Mobility Plus can help!
Learn More About Improving Your Mobility With a Power Wheelchair
Power wheelchairs are one of the best options to help you regain your mobility and independence. Not only are they a safer and more comfortable option, but your power wheelchair can be customized to fit any of your needs.
Do you want to learn more about why you should buy a power wheelchair or rent a power wheelchair? We can help!
Check out the articles on our website to learn more about the type of technology that can improve your mobility today.
