For many people with spinal injuries, a wheelchair is not just a necessary thing, but a vital necessity. After all, the right mechanism makes the life of a sick person much easier. But not many people know how to choose the right wheelchair. Some even believe that you can buy the first mechanism that comes across. Such an opinion is fundamentally wrong. To make the chair comfortable to use, it is necessary to take into account many parameters. Before you go shopping for a wheelchair, it is not superfluous to familiarize yourself with the rating of the best wheelchairs.
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Transport for the disabled can be of several varieties:
Active strollers used by patients to move independently.For the manufacture of such chairs, metal of increased strength is used so that it can withstand large and prolonged loads. The design of this chair is lightweight and allows you to make many maneuvers.
Chair with mechanical or lever driveequipped with pneumatic tires. These tires improve damping properties on rough roads. Armchairs of this type have an adjustable backrest, which allows you to change the position of the body. This model is especially convenient for people whose capabilities are partially limited, as well as for sports. The design of the stroller is reliable and stable, which ensures the best contact with the surface.
electric chair is the most convenient. They are easy to manage. Such devices can be used for movement both indoors and outdoors. The electric chair is powered by a battery and can be controlled using a special remote control. Moving on such a device does not take much effort from a person, since in order to start the chair in motion, you need to press only 1 button on the remote control. The only drawback of electric models is that they are expensive.
Wheelchairs also differ in model designation. For example, children's wheelchairs are almost all made to order. When performing such a stroller, the structural features of the child's body, the specifics of the disease and the purpose are taken into account. There are also sanitary wheelchairs, which are equipped with useful devices with which you can change the ship, help the patient take a shower and perform some other actions.
Before proceeding with the selection of a wheelchair for a particular person, you should know that all wheelchairs have several differences:
The chair with pneumatic tires is intended for movement on the street. When hitting a bump, the discomfort is smoothed out by the shock-absorbing effect of the tires. The disadvantage of such tires is that they need to be pumped up regularly and replaced from time to time. But such models of wheelchairs are constantly being improved, new components are being developed that make movement in a wheelchair as comfortable as possible.
To make it comfortable for a person to use a wheelchair, it is necessary to make some measurements before buying:
The width of the seat is measured using a tailor's meter, placing the tape along the widest parts of the hips. For freedom, another 5 cm is added to the resulting number. If the stroller is bought for street walks, it is recommended to make another increase for thick clothes. Insufficient seat width causes bedsores to form. And excess width is dangerous due to incorrect body position. It is quite easy to determine the correct width selection: a person’s palm should effortlessly pass between the person’s body and the stroller.
In order to determine the depth of the seat, the tape is placed from the edge of the buttocks along the outer side of the thigh to the knee. To obtain the correct value, from the resulting number, subtract from 5 to 7.5 cm. If the seat depth is insufficient, the patient may simply fall forward while moving. Too deep a chair disrupts proper blood circulation and irritates the skin and calf muscles in the popliteal region. To determine the correct measurement of this value, it is necessary to make a measurement between the popliteal region and the edge of the seat upholstery. Its value should be approximately 7 cm.
The length of the legs is measured from the edge of the shoe to the level of the thigh. When measuring, it is advisable to put a pillow on the seat, and put your feet on a special platform located 5 cm from the ground.
To find the height of the seat, add 5 cm to the previous measurement. If a person sits in a chair on a special pillow, then half the thickness of the pillow is added to the previous figure.
To find the height of the armrests, measure the distance from the seat to the beginning of the elbow and add 2.5 cm to this number. The armrests are fixed at the resulting height.
To determine the height of the back of the chair, measure the distance from the seat to the armpits of a person. During this measurement, the person should extend their arms forward parallel to the floor surface. To clarify the thickness of the upholstery, you need to subtract 10 cm from the resulting number. At this height, body support will be minimal.
If you need to provide maximum support for the body, then measurements are taken from the seat to the desired level. In this case, it makes sense to stay on a chair, the back of which leans back or use chairs with sectional height adjustment of the back.
Video tips for choosing a wheelchair:
People with disabilities now seek to lead an active lifestyle and contact with society. Therefore, a wheelchair for such people is not just a means of transportation, but a vital thing. The absence of a personal means of transportation chains a sick person to a bed, a person is cut off from the whole world. We present you the best strollers that meet the most demanding requirements of people with disabilities.
This wheelchair is very suitable for constant maneuvering in narrow doorways and aisles. In addition, this model, if necessary, can be easily folded due to the special design of the mechanism. The frame of this wheelchair model is characterized by increased strength, as it is made of high-quality steel with a chrome-plated finish. According to the reviews of many people who used this stroller, it is recognized as the narrowest and has excellent cross-country ability, since the seat width is only 50 cm. It is convenient to use it both on the street and in the apartment.The model is suitable for moving at the airport, for a trip to the hospital and, if necessary, can easily fit into a car.
The model has a comfortable multifunctional headrest, and high-quality seat belts. If necessary, a folding table can be installed on the armrests, and for patients it is possible to attach a dropper. For convenience, you can change the angle of the footrest and there is body support on the sides. All tires on this model are pneumatic.
The average price is 27800 rubles.
The model produced by the German company is universal, so it is suitable for use at home and for trips on the street. The purpose of the stroller may vary depending on the configuration. To adjust the wheelbase, a special adapter is provided. This is convenient for the person himself and increases the maneuverability of the chair in different situations. To store and transport the chair, a special folding mechanism is provided.
For the convenience of a person, the chair is equipped with a special pillow that prevents the formation of bedsores. The seat can have different widths and depths, which allows you to choose a chair for people of different builds. The armrests are conveniently adjustable in height, if necessary, they can be folded back. It is also possible to adjust the angle of the footrest or remove it altogether. The back is also adjustable, covered with nylon. For human safety, there is a special rollover protection, seat belts, a folding backrest, and there is also a set of tools included with the chair.
The average price is 32100 rubles.
More about the wheelchair - in the video:
Children with disabilities, just like adults, need a quality vehicle. This model will be an excellent choice, it will be convenient for both the child and his parents. The model is very good to use on the street for walking in the fresh air, it provides everything necessary for the child to be comfortable. In this stroller, the child is protected, if necessary, you can change the position of the back of the stroller to take a semi-lying or lying position, and not just sit.
The frame of the stroller is made of durable steel. There is a set of wheels for the house and for the street. You can adjust the position of the footrest. The stroller is equipped with bright covers that can be quickly removed and washed. The stroller is suitable for a child weighing up to 60 kg.
The average price is 41,000 rubles.
This German-made model is deservedly recognized as one of the best. It is lightweight and maneuverable, equipped with a durable duralumin frame, a progressive adapter, it is possible to adjust the wheels in all respects. The presence of these functions makes it possible to customize the stroller for active and passive users.The seat has an anti-decubitus cushion, so it is safe to use this chair for a long time.
Dural frame can be folded if needed. Nylon is used for covering the back and seat, which can be easily cleaned if necessary. The chair is adjustable in backrest height and seat depth. The armrests recline, it is possible to adjust or completely remove the footrest. Smoothness of movement is provided by cast front and pneumatic rear wheels. For convenience, there are brake levers on both sides of the seat.
The average price is 57400 rubles.
This model is recommended, first of all, for children suffering from a disease such as cerebral palsy. In it, the child can sit without fixation, subject to his social activity. This cane-shaped summer stroller is equipped with free front wheels, a blocker and a lightweight frame. The Eco-Buggy is the most maneuverable model, it can be used to overcome the most difficult places on city roads. The set comes with a bag where you can put everything you need for a long walk. The back of the chair is adjustable, so in case of fatigue, the child can rest in a reclining position. There are seat belts to protect the child.
The aluminum frame can be quickly folded if necessary. Nylon is used for the seat and back, which can be easily cleaned. It is possible to install an additional roof as protection from the rain. A mattress is provided for babies, you can install a footboard for a second child.
The average price is 29,000 rubles.
Model | Nuova Blandino GR106 | Otto Bock Start | Katarzyna Vasilisa | Otto Bock Start Comfort | Otto Bock Eco Buggy |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Place of use | house, street | house, street | house, street | house, street | house, street |
Permissible weight (kg) | 100 | 125 | 40 | 125 | 50 |
Folding mechanism | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
Frame | Folding, steel | Duralumin | Steel | Duralumin | Aluminum |
Sheathing material | Nylon | Nylon | Capron, nylon | Nylon | Nylon |
Back and seat adjustment | Not | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
The position of the disabled person in the chair | sitting | sitting | Sitting, reclining, lying | sitting | Sitting, reclining |
wheels | Pneumatic | Pneumatic, cast | Pneumatic, cast | Pneumatic, cast | cast |
Guarantee | 1 year | 2 years | 1 year | 2 years | 4 years |
As you can see, choosing a quality wheelchair model is quite simple. If possible, it is worth buying high-quality models without saving on price. Indeed, for a person deprived of the ability to move independently, a high-quality maneuverable stroller is a matter of prime necessity.