Because of the large turning radius required, a scooter is more suited for community mobility and may inhibit clients function in their home. Manual wheelchairs can be customized to help clients achieve independent mobility. A client status of post stroke may utilize a one-arm drive or wheels with projections in combination with a low seat to floor height to take advantage of functional lower extremities to increase independence. Overall weight of the chair is a limiting factor to be considered. For the active user, whose daily lifestyle submits the chair to a lot of stress, a rigid frame will decrease some of the effects and add to the life of the chair.
Features Shopping for a wheelchair is like shopping for a car.
There are many options to be considered. For those clients who are wheelchair dependent for all mobility, customization of the chair is imperative to provide optimal function. Customized seating includes cushions, backrests, and lateral and head supports. In addition to the client s medical needs, the seating must be comfortable or the chair will never be used. Testing various options with clients will help them and you form opinions about what will work best for them.