Features of a Manual Wheelchair, Explained
Wheelchairs are not designed to be “one size fits all.” Yes, you can purchase a generic wheelchair from a department store, pharmacy, or online, but there are many features of a wheelchair that can be customized to meet the individual needs of the client. If you are looking to have a wheelchair for occasional use, or only for certain scenarios, than purchasing an over the counter chair may be a good fit for you. If you are planning on using the wheelchair for several hours per day and need it for safety with mobility, you may qualify for a wheelchair through your insurance. In this case, if the process is approached properly, a therapist can help determine the appropriate height, width and depth of the chair, as well as any accessories or modifications that you may need. This will be discussed in greater detail in a future post, but for today’s purpose, we will discuss the parts of a standard manual wheelchair, their functions and how to adjust them.
Standard Wheelchairs:
A standard wheelchair has 2 large back wheels and 2 small front caster wheels. The brakes are located on the large wheels at the patient’s side. The weight of a standard wheelchair varies depending on its size, and what it is made from. The average weight for a “standard” manual wheelchair is around 41-43 pounds. Lightweight models weigh a little less, averaging at about 35-38 pounds.
Brakes
Brakes on wheelchairs must be locked before standing up or sitting down from a wheelchair. Brakes should be checked periodically to make sure they are locking fully. If they are not, please contact the vendor, or a local medical supply shop to request a tune-up or repair, as this can increase the risk of falls.
Arm Rests
Some wheelchairs have “swing-away” arm rests, that can either be removed, or swung back to make room for a sliding transfer, using a small lever or push-button at the front base of the arm rest. Other wheelchairs have rigid armrests that do not move at all. If you have a client that needs to scoot or slide laterally for transfers, they will require a wheelchair that has swing away armrests. If their chair does not have this function, please request a therapy evaluation for a wheelchair assessment.
Footrests:
Most footrests will swing away to be removed for transfers. The lever is located just under the seat. Push the lever under the chair to release the footrest and swing it away. Lift up on the leg rest to remove them. To place them back on, hold the footrest to the side and line up the holes on the pegs of the chair. Then swing the footrest around to the front (they will not go on if you try to put them on facing front!). The height of your footrest is also adjustable in most cases.
Anti-Tippers
Wheelchairs have anti-tippers on the back to prevent the chair from tipping over if your client sits down hard in the chair. These are helpful for this safety feature but can get in the way if you are trying to go over uneven terrain or bump your client up or down a step/curb. If you need to bump your client up or down a curb, you can push the buttons on the anti-tippers and flip them up so they don’t get stuck on the curb (just make sure to flip them back down when you are done!).
Cushions
If your you or your client’s wheelchair came with a cushion, make sure you use it! This is important for a few reasons:
Pressure Relief: The cushion provides additional padding under the client to prevent pressure ulcers. This is especially important if your client is in their wheelchair for much of the day, as the seat of the chair itself is not sufficiently padded.
Chair Height: If your client’s wheelchair was purchased through their insurance, the chair was specially measured and designed to fit their body type and size. This measurement includes the seat-to-floor height of the chair. The thickness of the cushion is included in that measurement, so if you remove the cushion, it means that their chair will be 2-4 inches too low, making it difficult for them to stand up or self-propel using their feet.
What do I do If I Want to Get a Wheelchair?
If you are looking to get a wheelchair that is custom fitted to your body and your needs, reach out to your doctor to get a referral to an occupational or physical therapist with experience in wheelchair seating to guide you along the process. This is highly recommended if you are anticipating that you will be using the wheelchair on a daily basis as your primary means of mobility. If you are looking to purchase a wheelchair to use on an occasional or temporary basis, then it may be a good fit to purchase a generic wheelchair online. Generic wheelchairs can be purchased online, like this one, at medical supply stores, and at some of the big box department stores.
For more information, check out our YouTube video to learn more! Our blog posts, “Does Medicare Pay for Wheelchairs” and, “What’s the Difference Between a Wheelchair and a Transport Chair” may also be helpful. Also feel free to check out our publication A Therapist’s Guide to Caregiving to learn more about adaptive equipment, and providing care in the home. Also, feel free to check out our full video training course for detailed video instruction.
This is your comprehensive guide to giving you with the skills you need to provide safe, effective, and compassionate care to family members, friends or clients in the home. This course includes 6 hours of instructional video covering client basic adaptive equipment, functional mobility, lifting techniques, transfers, self-care skills, bed level care, use of client lifts and transfer devices, and managing falls. Click "Preview Caregiver Course" below to preview the lessons and descriptions.
A Therapist’s Guide to Caregiving
The book includes 170 pages of full-color, step-by step instructions, to provide you with all the skills you need to provide safe, thorough, and compassionate care at home.
