What You Need To Know Before Buying a Lightweight Wheelchair
Having to deal with restrictions on your mobility due to age, injury, or sickness can be frustrating. A lightweight wheelchair is ideal if you have difficulty moving around but don’t need to use a wheelchair all the time. It is also a good option if you are looking for an easily transportable chair that you can use without much effort or assistance to make everyday life easier. You can get lightweight wheelchairs in many shapes and sizes if you do not want to buy a bulky, cumbersome, and heavy wheelchair. Some tips to make your search easier:
Advantages of a Lightweight Wheelchair
A lightweight wheelchair has several advantages. It is an ideal option for people with mobility issues looking for a wheelchair that they can easily use without assistance and is easy to transport. Lightweight wheelchairs are ideal for those with temporary injuries or illness and those who may find age getting in their way of moving around to perform daily tasks. They reduce the strain of moving the wheelchair considerably and are especially useful for users lacking upper body strength. Typically, at around 10 kilos, a lightweight wheelchair available on disabilityfriendlylv.com weighs half its traditional counterparts.
These wheelchairs are lightweight but do not compromise their strength due to advanced materials like aluminum, titanium, carbon fiber, etc. Lightweight wheelchairs are robust enough to last for many years but are more convenient for users as they are easier to move, push, control, and maneuver in tight spaces that often prove a hindrance. If you want to be able to carry your wheelchair in a car, you must make sure that you buy a lightweight wheelchair that can also be folded and unfolded easily. All lightweight wheelchairs are not foldable.
Some Potential Disadvantages of Lightweight Wheelchairs
Lightweight wheelchairs typically accommodate up to medium-sized users. Because these wheelchairs usually have restricted seat sizes, they may not be suitable for users with larger frames or those who weigh more even though the frame may be strong enough to bear their weight. Even though you can customize a lightweight wheelchair according to your preferences, the extent of such customization is limited to ensure that the wheelchair does not become heavy. For this reason, you may not be able to have a seat with extra padding, which may be a deterrent to comfort if you use it for long periods. Also, since these wheelchairs are the manual type, users with limited strength in their upper limbs may not be able to move around properly and will be better off with a powered model. According to The Bimblers, you should ensure that the lightweight wheelchair feels light and comfortable.
Conclusion
Lightweight wheelchairs are ideal for those who want to expend much effort when moving around but don’t want the trouble and the expense of a powered model. However, you need to check out if you fit in it comfortably and if you can use it without much effort. You need to make sure it is foldable if you want to carry it in a car and it has all the accessories you want because the availability could be limited for keeping the weight down.