In countries with a life expectancy exceeding 70 years, people tend to spend at least 8 years, 11.5% of their lifespan living with disabilities. About 10% of the world’s population, some 650 million people, live with some form of disability. According to the Census Bureau, disability is defined using six types of questions measuring difficulty with self-care, independent living, climbing/walking, cognition, vision, and hearing. In the United States, about 3.6 million people over the age of 15 use a wheelchair. However, not all the types of a wheelchair in the market provide the needed features for the user. In fact, a significant number of wheelchairs cause lower back injuries, limited mobility, and generally, they are low performance wheelchairs. As a caregiver or guardian, you have to be very careful when shopping for a folding wheelchair. The wheelchair you select should not limit the user’s mobility further; instead, it should significantly help them be self-reliant. In that connection, below are some of the important factors to put into consideration.

Wheelchair Cushions

The wheelchair cushions do matter a lot. They ensure the person using the wheelchair cannot only move around but also does so comfortably. This is why it is very important to purchase a wheelchair with a comfy cushion. The user will maintain the right posture and minimize friction, making it easier for them to move around. Therefore, while choosing, ensure you compare the various wheelchairs at your disposal. Those with comfortable wheelchair cushions should present you with a chance to select the best.

Wheels

For proper mobility, the wheelchair wheels ought to be very strong. You need high performance wheelchair wheels that will not only help you move around but also serve you for an extended period. This is where off-road wheelchair tires come in handy. They are not only strong but also can navigate through rough terrain. Therefore, you are able to become self-reliant. This is because, regardless of the rough terrain, you can still navigate through it without having to request help from other people. Most importantly, you do not have to spend quite a fortune on replacing the wheelchair wheels. At your disposal, you will have durable wheels.

Comfort

Footrests, armrests, and backrests are some of the very crucial features you have to assess before purchasing any wheelchair. These features are associated with creating comfort for the user. This is why you have to be very much careful in your assessment. Ensure you choose a wheelchair that does not subject you to back or arm injuries. In short, you ought to feel very comfortable while moving around in your wheelchair. You do not have to depend on other people since you will be self-reliant. Navigating through the rough terrain will not be an issue.

Seats

The seats should be not only comfy but also strong. This ensures the user of the wheelchair enjoys maximum comfort for a very long time. Therefore, you have to put into consideration the nature of the seats of various wheelchairs at your disposal. This is to ensure you get value for your money. The material used in making the seats should be very strong and comfy. Such characteristics prevent back pains and limited mobility.

Cost

What is the cost of a wheelchair? This is a very critical question every willing buyer of a wheelchair ought to answer. It can be done through conducting your research, asking from previous customers, and comparing the costs from different suppliers. In doing so, you get to make an informed choice. You will be able to get a supplier that is not only reliable but also affordable.

Conclusion

Buying a wheelchair is not a walk in the park. You have to ensure you have the right specifications in mind to guarantee value for every dollar spent on buying this great mobility equipment. One essential feature is to ensure the wheelchair can make the user more self-reliant. This is by ensuring great comfort, strong off road wheelchair wheels, portability, and affordability. These are great features that you must consider while out there buying a wheelchair. Failure to do so, you will be served with poor quality. So, stay very woke. Use the tips discusses in this article to guide you in your selection process. You will get a reliable wheelchair with great functionality.