Questions To Ask Yourself When Choosing A New Wheelchair

March 27, 2020 2:12 pm

When you rely on your wheelchair to be able to get around independently, it is so important that you choose the best possible chair for you and your individual needs. Often, the first wheelchair you purchase won’t be the chair you have for life, as it isn’t until you have spent a lot of time in a chair that you realise what truly works for you.

The market is currently full of mobility solutions and wheelchairs, which come in a vast range of different shapes and sizes, so it can be really difficult to know which solution is going to be best for you. If you’re unhappy with your current wheelchair and you’re searching for a new chair, but you want to ensure that it is right this time, keep reading today. Our team at Karma Mobility have put together a list of questions you should ask yourself before you go ahead and buy a new chair. 

What don’t you like about your current wheelchair?

This is the first question you should ask yourself, and it is arguably one of the most important. You should start by making a list of all of the things you don’t like about your current wheelchair, this way, you can ensure that any new chairs you’re looking at are very similar. The last thing you want to do is purchase a new chair that is almost identical to your old one, so it is essential to highlight your specific requirements and what you don’t want from your mobility solution. 

Are there any incredibly important factors to you?

As we have briefly touched upon, you should also take some time to think about what is really important to you. For example, if you go out in the car a lot then, the ability to fold your chair is probably an important factor to you, so you may be best looking at lightweight collapsible wheelchairs. Consider various different factors and whether they impact your decision. 

Are you managing with your current self propelled chair?

Every time you invest in a new chair it is always good to ask yourself this question. If you’re not having any problems at all, then you can keep looking at other self-propelled chairs. However, if you’re beginning to struggle or you think that in the next few years it may get harder to use, then why not look at power wheelchairs this time? There are a number of different choices out there, including lightweight powerchairs, as well as folding electric wheelchairs, so you won’t be limited.

How long would you like to have this chair for?

Whilst it may seem like a strange question to ask, your answer will affect other decisions that you make. For example, if you plan to have this wheelchair for a long time then you may have a slightly bigger budget and you will also want to ensure that the wheelchairs you’re looking at are sturdy and reliable. So, be realistic when you’re answering this question. 

Do you have any specific requirements?

Lastly, consider whether you have any specific requirements for your new wheelchair. Whether you need a bigger seat width or a a slightly higher back, these are things to make sure you know when you’re browsing your options. It’s also essential to think about any potential accessories you require and make sure that the chairs you look at support these accessories. 

Choosing a new wheelchair

Using the questions above, you will be able to narrow down all of the different options available on the market until you find your perfect wheelchair. Ensure that you take the time to really think about everything mentioned above so that when your wheelchair arrives it is exactly what you hoped for, meeting all of your needs and requirements perfectly.

If you’re searching for a reliable wheelchair supplier to purchase from, visit the Karma Mobility website today. We have such a huge range of wheelchairs for you to choose from, both self propelled and power wheelchairs, so you can trust that we will have the perfect option for you. If you have any questions at all about the chairs on our website, please don’t hesitate to get in touch today and someone will gladly assist you further.

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This post was written by Todd Rich

** This post was originally published on https://www.karmamobility.co.uk/choosing-a-new-wheelchair/

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