| People with limited mobility have more | | | | your chair on the snow or ice. This is not |
| choices these days when it comes to | | | | recommended. |
| wheelchairs. The advancement of the motorized | | | | |
| wheel chair makes it easier than ever to get | | | | Another thing that you should be aware of is |
| around. But motorized wheel chairs can be | | | | that most motorized wheel chairs are not |
| very expensive and you should know a little | | | | collapsible and therefore will not fit into |
| more about them before you order one. This | | | | your average car. You may need a van that is |
| article will give you some good basic | | | | equipped to handle the motorized wheel chair. |
| information on motorized wheel chairs. | | | | You can get a van equipped with a lift to |
| | | | help you become more independent with your |
| The prices for a motorized wheel chair can | | | | motorized wheel chair. |
| range from $5000 to $30000 depending on the | | | | |
| level of customization. Medicare will pay for | | | | A very important safety feature that should |
| some people to have a motorized wheel chair | | | | always be used is the seat belts. You should |
| if they meet certain criteria. | | | | always wear your lap belt when using your |
| | | | wheelchair. The chair should come equipped |
| To meet this criteria, you must need | | | | with foot straps also to keep you feet from |
| assistance with basic daily activities such | | | | slipping off the foot rests while moving. |
| as bathing, dressing and going to the | | | | |
| bathroom. You also must be unable to use a | | | | Depending on your level of disability, your |
| cane, walker or a manual wheel chair. If you | | | | motorized wheelchair may need customization. |
| are covered by a health insurance, check with | | | | For example, if the user has no hand function |
| them, because they may cover part of the cost | | | | and cannot use a joystick to control the |
| of getting a motorized wheelchair. | | | | chair, the chair will have to be customized |
| | | | so that the user will be able to use another |
| The first thing you should learn about the | | | | part of the body to control the movement of |
| wheel chairs is safety. Be very careful | | | | the chair. |
| around young children or other elderly | | | | |
| people. You should also be careful when using | | | | These are the basic things to consider when |
| your wheel chair outside. Dirt or gravel can | | | | buying a motorized wheel chair. It is |
| make your wheelchair unsteady and be | | | | important that you do your research. Ask your |
| especially careful if traveling across grassy | | | | doctor and physical therapist for their |
| areas. There may be holes or dips that you | | | | recommendations. There is no need to be |
| may not see. If you run into a hole, you can | | | | confined by your limited mobility. A |
| tip the wheelchair over and hurt yourself | | | | motorized wheel chair will give you the |
| badly. It is very dangerous to try to use | | | | freedom that you have been waiting for. |