Power Wheel Chairs

Individuals who use power wheel chairs typically have conditions that significantly limit their upper and lower body movement, strength, coordination, or endurance. Various control units are available that enable individuals to control the movement of their power wheel chair with very limited independent movements (e.g. a puff of breath etc).

Power wheel chairs can permit continued activities even if there is a decline in the body's function. Power chairs offer stylish and robust designs, multiple performance options and adjustability to help you become mobile again. Power chairs allow people to do more things with less pain and fatigue and much greater mobility, resulting in more independence. Power wheel chairs can literally give mobility back in order that persons confined to it can once again experience the joy and freedom of going wherever they need to. Power wheel chairs make vacations enjoyable and comfortable for everyone regardless of their physical abilities.

A person with full function of the arms and upper torso will generally be prescribed a manual chair, or find that their insurance will not cover an electric power wheel chair. Power wheel chairs can offer various power functions such as tilt, recline, leg elevation, seat elevation, and others useful or necessary to health and function. A power chair offers superior in-home maneuverability, can fit almost anywhere and some models (generally mid wheel models) can even turn in their own circle.

A power wheel chair is battery-operated. It usually has a base with four wheels, an adjustable seat with armrests, and a controller (joystick or touch pad) attached to one armrest that allows the rider to control the movement of the chair. It can be dis-assembled for transport and usually comes with an on-board battery charger. The braking system is normally automatic or electric. Power wheel chairs can be customized with advanced technology, and with several options including seat size (width and depth), seat-to-floor height, foot rests, and leg rests.

Power wheel chairs typically use four wheels of the same size, usually 8 to 10 inches in diameter. They generally include as a standard feature a manually controlled joystick to regulate the chair's speed and direction. Power chairs may make use of lead acid, gel cell, or sealed wet batteries.

Power wheel chair manufacturers use automatic battery chargers that constantly monitor the recharging process, turning off the charger when the batteries are fully re-charged. Power wheel chairs may be custom-designed to suit a person's specific needs and four general styles of electric power chairs exist: rear, center, front wheel driven or four wheel driven.

Power wheel chairs are bigger, and much heavier, than manual wheel chairs. Often a power wheel chair will not fit through doorways or be able to turn in a home. Also, many individuals find they cannot transport the power wheel chair for use at locations other than the home.

Power wheel chairs are expensive relative to manual wheel chairs and typically weigh up to 115 kilograms (kg) (250 pounds). They often cannot be folded or dis-assembled for transport, so a ramp or lift-equipped van is required. The weight and bulk of a power wheel chair severely limits the size of obstacles-usually less than 50 mm (2 inches) in height that can be negotiated without a ramp or bevel. Braking is usually passive in that it occurs with deceleration and when the power is turned off. Power wheel chairs are available in many different shapes and sizes. Several different wheel sizes are available as well.

A power wheel chair offers many advantages to those with limited mobility such as the many small indignities that go with being wheelchair bound. You no longer get 'parked' outside shops, your carer no longer pushes you past the items that interest you and you can move around on your own when you want to. It is a much more expensive option than a manual wheelchair but once you have used a power wheel chair you will never again prefer to be pushed around!