The SCOOTER Store Blog

You may be shopping for a motorized wheelchair. Before you actually contact power chair dealers, you will need to do the following:

• If your doctor has assessed you and recommended a power wheelchair, he should talk to you about handling the controls. This will determine if you will get a standard joystick, switches or a sip-and-puff mechanism.
• Have your vision tested to see if your depth perception will allow you to judge distances.
• Look at your home. Are the doorways and hallways wide enough for your chair? Consider where you will store your chair as well.

When you start to look at models of power chairs, find two or three retailers. Research their reputation, years in the industry, etc. Read consumer reviews online which are usually unbiased and truthful.

Electric wheelchairs, also called “powered wheelchairs” or “power chairs,” can enhance the life of someone with mobility issues. If you or a loved one has completed a mobility assessment and is getting a power chair, you’ll want to learn as much as you can about them. The following information will get you started.

Drive Systems
Power chairs are available in front-, mid- and rear-wheel drive. Each one has specific handling features.

• Front-Wheel Drive: These models are easy to maneuver and can be used both indoors and outdoors at lower speeds. They have large wheels in front of the seat that allow the chair to go over uneven surfaces.
• Mid-wheel Drive: Also called center-drive, this model is best for navigating indoor spaces, especially in smaller areas. These chairs have six wheels—two large wheels attached to the base and four smaller wheels around them.
• Rear-wheel Drive: Although rear-wheel drive chairs aren’t as easy to maneuver as the other models, they do provide the most stable ride. They are also the best all-purpose power chair. This model has the largest turning radius, can operate at a higher speed and can travel inclines easily.

Seating Options
Some power chairs will look like a traditional manual wheelchair with a sling seat and frame. One of the most desirable options is a well-cushioned captain’s chair style seat. These usually also have padded armrests.

Customizing Options
Beyond these features, aspects of the power chair your older adult chooses will be increasingly customized for their specific needs. Some options include the type of “tiller” or control to operate the chair that they are able to use.

There are various kinds of mobility lifts for power chairs and scooters. One of the most convenient and useful for the multi-story home is a stairway lift, also known as stair glider or chair lift. These enable your older adult in a power chair to have access to all floors of the home. There are models that can be used by people who are able to stand, but have problems moving up and down the stairs. There are also specific lifts for power mobility device users.

All stair lifts can be installed on any type of staircase of any length, including those that spiral. The lifts are electric and generally not very expensive, especially when compared to the cost of installing an elevator. The lift platform or chair runs on a track system up and down the stairs.

Types of Stair Lifts

• Standing stair lift: For those who are able to stand for a period of time, but have difficulty bending at the knees. These lifts do not take up much room and can be stored in tighter spaces.
• Seated wheelchair lift: Used by those in power wheelchairs or scooters. While there are seated models that accommodate just the rider, wheelchair lifts are more involved to install and more expensive.

Most stair lifts come with a remote control so that a caregiver can operate the lift if the rider cannot, and also include an emergency feature that allows the lift to move in the event of a power failure at the home.