Wheelchairs are essential for anyone with a condition or disability that prevents them from walking and moving around freely. When that’s a simple short-term issue, a standard self-propel wheelchair is often enough, but for long-term specialist needs its best to research the options for a permanent, personalised mobility aid.
Providing independence and freedom, wheelchairs come in countless configurations – each designed to meet individuals’ needs and preferences, and to ensure they can remain as mobile and self-reliant as possible.
Here, we’ll take a closer look at two types – the powered wheelchair and the prescriptive manual wheelchair. Both are built to unique specifications, and are adjustable to suit the user’s unique needs. They can also be designed with carers’ needs and preferences in mind.
For example, prescriptive manual wheelchairs tend to incorporate portability for users and carers, and are typically modular to adapt to changing needs. For those reasons alone, they tend to be lighter and less complex than powered wheelchairs.
Powered wheelchairs have battery-powered motors that drastically reduce the amount of effort required for general mobility. Often operated by ‘joystick’ or keypad, they’re ideal for people with less upper-body mobility and strength, and can also incorporate other aids to movement and independence – yet they’re much bulkier and heavier as they require large rechargeable power-packs and demand greater stability and comfort across a wider range of terrains.
The good news is, there are almost countless options for both prescriptive manual and powered wheelchairs in terms of features, personalisation and affordability.
Let’s investigate further…
Powered Wheelchairs
With batteries and motors improving all the time, and with continuous innovation in adjustability and customisation, powered wheelchairs are increasingly popular. Their proliferation, combined with the competitive nature of manufacturers mean they’re always improving, and becoming more affordable.
Perhaps the greatest benefit of powered wheelchairs is that they generally give users greater mobility, range, and autonomy. They come in almost infinite shapes and sizes, alongside users’ almost infinitely unique needs and preferences.
Being powered, they’re controlled by joystick or keypad (or in some cases by a tablet-like interface, voice control or pressure pads, or even head movement). This means far less physical exertion, and more precision in movement. Speed is more manageable, and braking more nuanced, so powered wheelchairs are more reassuring on gradients, cambers, and uneven surfaces such as gravel paths, cobbles and dropped kerbs. Powered wheelchairs can feature anti-tip mechanisms, lights… even horns!
Meanwhile, they can also incorporate features such as ergonomic or reclining backrests, adjustable footrests and armrests, making it easier for users to find and adjust to more comfortable positions. This is particularly beneficial for people who spend much or all of their day in a wheelchair, rather than simply using it to get around.
Ultimately, powered wheelchairs allow for a wider range of designs to cover a far wider range of needs and preferences, and to cover greater distance independently with minimal physical effort. Compared with prescriptive manual wheelchairs, they offer greater mobility for all physical abilities of user.
For some needs, they’re ideal. And in recent years their functionality, versatility and reliability has improved significantly. They can be more expensive – but this is in line with their complexity, and how much they cost to design and manufacture.
Prescriptive Manual Wheelchairs
As the name suggests, prescriptive manual wheelchairs are not ‘off-the-shelf’ mobility wheelchairs. They’re custom-designed to meet individuals’ specific needs when it comes to mobility impairments, and in many cases to ensure users get the most from their home and social environments. Any reputable mobility solutions provider will be able to take the prescribed specification and build your bespoke wheelchair – often consulting with family or carers to ensure they also find the chair easy to use. Most variants will include features that make it much more straightforward for caregivers to transfer users to and from the prescriptive wheelchair than a standard self-propelled wheelchair.
A prescriptive manual wheelchair will factor in the user’s body measurements, weight, medical condition and specific posture needs. They can incorporate fully adjustable features such as seat and back height, arm and footrests, head support, and any safety restraints. They can also specify seating systems that relieve pressure and help to avoid sores and alleviate postural issues for users with spinal conditions such as scoliosis or kyphosis. In many cases, they are designed not just for mobility, but also to prevent any worsening of such conditions. In wide-reaching ways, they vastly improve users’ comfort and quality of life.
Prescriptive wheelchairs are usually lightweight, have adjustable handle height, fold and store easily, and are straightforward to pack and transport – making it easier for user and carer to get out and about.
Of course, they’re designed and built for different needs and preferences, but prescriptive manual chairs – although having fewer features and providing less autonomy than powered versions – are simpler to use and look after than powered ones. Meanwhile, they may be more complex in design compared with a standard self-propelled wheelchair, but they still require minimal maintenance compared with powered wheelchairs. Less can go wrong – and what does go wrong is far easier and cheaper to diagnose and remediate (or replace).
Being far lighter, they’re much easier for families and carers to move around and transport.
In summary…
While different in some fundamental ways, prescriptive manual wheelchairs and powered wheelchairs have key user considerations in common. Particularly with prescriptive manual wheelchairs, there will be (as the name suggests) key specifications made by the user’s OT, specialist or consultant, including recommendations and ISO accreditations to look out for when researching and investing in such a key part of the user’s everyday life.
Meanwhile, a powered chair is likely to be heavier, more complex, and involve other logistical considerations such as home access, portability, charging and so on. It will also be a more significant investment in sustaining comfort, mobility and quality of life – so it’s important to research and consult experts when you start looking for the best options available.
Of course, your own research is a great starting point, but in many ways it can raise more questions than it answers, and give you ‘too much choice’! Ideally, give yourself as much time as possible to research, consult, and get a balanced picture of the most appropriate solutions to your/the user’s unique needs.
When you start talking to specific providers, be sure to shop around as much as you can, and ask for full details of accreditation, certification and warranty. Any reputable supplier will consult with you on prescribed requirements and personal preferences, and where possible let you try the appropriate options. There will be numerous possibilities in that respect, with many competing brands and providers – and probably differing opinions on which is best.
Some are proven brands, while others might be less well-known but deal better with your specifications.
It can seem complicated and overwhelming at first, but the right option is out there and available, and experts will help you find it.
Mobility Solutions is a trusted and certified provider of all kinds of mobility aids, including a comprehensive range of wheelchairs. We have a wide range of trusted and certified powered options, and will happily consult with you on your needs, circumstances and preferences.
We also deal regularly with the precise specifications of prescriptive manual wheelchairs, so we can talk you through how we can best provide for them and ensure comfort, usability and reassurance.
Drop us a line to discuss your needs.
We’re here to help.
or 0141 336 1796
