Our Wheelchair Assessment Service can improve mobility through the proper recommendation of customized wheelchairs. Let’s look at different types of Wheelchair and their purpose.
6 main types of manual wheelchairs for seniors
1. Ultra lightweight and lightweight wheelchairs
- Manual wheelchairs typically weigh between 25 to 40 pounds. They work well for travel and are easier to lift in and out of the car for quick errands.
- These lightweight chairs are often constructed with titanium, carbon steel, or aluminum. They have large back wheels with much smaller front wheels.
- These wheelchairs allow a person to push themselves. Or, caregivers can use the gripped handles to push their older adult in the chair.
2. Standard wheelchairs
- Similar to lightweight manual wheelchairs, standard wheelchairs also have large back wheels and small front wheels. The difference is that they weigh more than lightweight wheelchairs.
- For people with enough upper body strength, these are the most common type of wheelchair. Of course, caregivers can also push these using the handles.
3. Bariatric and heavy duty wheelchairs
- Heavier people can benefit from heavy duty wheelchairs that are engineered with stronger frames and large seats to support those who weigh between 300 to 700 pounds.
- Designed for ample weight disbursement, heavy duty chairs may feature a reclining seat and also make it easier for a caregiver to manually push their older adult without using excessive force.
4. Tilt and recliner wheelchairs
- If your older adult needs help from two or more people to get in and out of bed or onto the toilet, a wheelchair with a tilting or reclining seat could be helpful.
- These types of manual wheelchairs allow a caregiver to safely lower a backrest towards the ground and then, with another person, lift their older adult out of the chair and onto a bed or recliner.
5. Transport wheelchairs
- If your older adult needs help from two or more people to get in and out of bed or onto the toilet, a wheelchair with a tilting or reclining seat could be helpful.
- These types of manual wheelchairs allow a caregiver to safely lower a backrest towards the ground and then, with another person, lift their older adult out of the chair and onto a bed or recliner.
6. Other types of wheelchairs
There are also a variety of specialty wheelchairs available to suit different needs.
For example, pediatric wheelchairs are specifically designed for children, sport wheelchairs are for athletes with disabilities, and hemi height wheelchairs are for people who use their feet to move the wheelchair.
Contact us today for your wheelchair assessment
If you’re interested in getting a wheelchair, contact ProResults Physical Therapy to schedule an appointment in Oceanside, San Marcos, Escondido, El Cajon, Poway, Temecula, Pacific Beach, La Mesa, or San Diego, CA so we can help you determine the best wheelchair for your specific needs. Our physical therapists want to help.
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