Power Vs. Manual Wheelchairs

     There are many advantages and disadvantages to both power and manual wheelchairs. For instance, power chairs can be used for longer distances than manual chairs but are often heavy and not as storage friendly. Whether you decide to get a manual chair or a power chair you should know what you are getting yourself into.
     There are many good things that come with a power chair. Power chairs have the ability to climb uphill with the least amount of effort put forth by the driver. They can travel over a variety of terrain with minimal difficulty. Power chairs are often designed for easier use by patients with limited range of motion. They may be built to suit their driver with customizable seat and back cushions. This can be a huge advantage if the user requires assistance with trunk control. Power chairs can also come with a tilt or recline option. This is a good way to relieve pressure for patients with inability to reposition themselves in the chair. When deciding to get a power chair, wheel placement is very important. Power wheels can be placed either in the front, middle, or back of the chair’s base. Keep in mind that the middle placement of power wheels offers the highest maneuverability. Power chairs can give their owners a sense of freedom from the manual chair if they have a difficult time moving about.
     Manual chairs also have a lot of advantages to bring to the table. They are generally more cost efficient than their power wheelchair cousin. They are lightweight and are getting lighter everyday with new designs and new metals being used in their construction. Manual chairs offer a coast option while traveling downhill, this offers a break in using upper or lower body strength. The manual chair user may be assisted by another person with built in handles for pushing. Manual chair users have the opportunity to build muscle strength while self propelling the chair, users also don’t need a designated hand to steer. They are more discreet by being smaller and quieter than most power chairs. Manual chairs are easier to be transported in a vehicle due to most of them being able to fold up and fit into an average trunk. They offer various seat positioning for the user to be able to self propel with either their arms or legs.
     While using a power wheelchair can conserve personal energy, there is always a chance the battery could die. They are larger and heavier than manual chairs which has been noted to decrease the user’s personal image. Power wheelchairs often cost much more than manual and require a special mechanic to repair any problems, costing even more money. These chairs also do not offer any type of exercise for their users. Power chairs pose a problem in some inclement weather, often getting stuck in mud or snow and spinning out on ice. These chairs are large and sometimes awkward to fit through average sized doorways and into bathrooms. Power chairs pose problems with transportation in a vehicle, often requiring a mechanical lift and they must be tied down with special tie-downs.
     Manual wheelchairs have a lot less disadvantages than power chairs. The largest disadvantage would be that they require a high endurance level from their users. The user may have a difficult time getting up inclines or ramps. This depends on the upper or lower body strength of the user and the level of incline present. A lot of people can exhaust themselves just by getting to where they need to go, with no energy left for the activity. There can be some negative long term health conditions such as shoulder injuries or back problems from poor posture that comes with the use of a manual chair over a long period of time. Despite these disadvantages, manual chairs are prevalent because of their cost effectiveness.
     Wheelchairs are a good thing whether you choose a power or manual chair. If you don’t see much benefit in getting a power chair then I would recommend a manual chair because of the cost. All in all, if you need a wheelchair, either choice would be beneficial to you.