Elderly people need to be taken care of. Mobility issues are a very common problem in this age group. And because of ageing, their bones and muscles lose strength. So, as a caretaker, you need to make sure they have a wheelchair for themselves if they have mobility issues.
So, wheelchairs help people having mobility problems to move from one place to another. It is designed in such a way to make elderly people feel comfortable and have a sense of independence while using wheelchairs.
Also, just having a wheelchair is of no use if it is not comfortable. It is because the elderly people need to use it all day long. Therefore, you need functional wheelchair accessories to help your elderly feel more comfortable and secure. Keep reading further to know 4 different types of functional accessories for wheelchair users.
- Wheelchair Ramp:
Any wheelchair user needs a ramp to get in and out of a vehicle or a building. Lightweight wheelchairs can easily pass through ramps, but you need strong ramps which can hold even a heavy wheelchair along with an elderly sitting on it. Wheelchair ramps are easy to install and have longer durability. Permanently installing a wheelchair ramp is comfortable for the elderly to easily move in and out of the house on their own. It helps in climbing stairs of a building or some public place. It acts as an inclined plane, which you can permanently install at your house.
- Wheels:
Wheelchairs need to have good quality wheels. That is what helps a wheelchair move smoothly. So, if you use a manual or electric wheelchair, then you need to check the wheels as it is one of the most important parts of the wheelchair. You need to ensure that the hind wheels are strong because they manage more pressure than the composite wheels. So, composite wheels require less maintenance but still need to be strong to carry elderly people.
- Brakes:
Brakes are one of the most useful wheelchair accessories. It helps to hold a wheelchair still or make it slow down its speed. To stop the wheelchair completely, brakes are particularly important. It is needed when a wheelchair is used outdoors. Even on ramps or some other inclined planes and moving vehicles, it helps stabilize the wheelchair. It is also used while transferring an elderly into and out of a wheelchair. So that the wheelchair does not move and the user does not lose its balance and fall. It can cause falls and injuries if not used properly. As a caretaker, you need to make the wheelchair safe even in a stationary position; that is where brakes come into play.
- Cushions:
Cushions are wheelchair accessories that are used the most. It is because a wheelchair user spends all the time on it while using the wheelchair. So, as a caretaker, you need to provide your elderly with comfortable and not itchy cushions. You need to make sure that it is sustainable and softer to use. Also, it should be convenient for the user because the user is going to use it all day long. Like a gel, a sheet can help absorb pressure, and the fabric cover helps to make the carrying process easier. Such small things make a great difference in enhancing the wheelchair experience. Also, it becomes necessary to change the fabric covers after every 2 years.
Conclusion:
These wheelchair accessories are add-ons to a wheelchair that is necessary to use. It helps enhance the user experience by providing them with the comfort and the extra security they require while moving. It also helps them be hygienic and more socially available. It improves the posture and balancing of the wheelchair as well. You need to make sure that it is a lightweight wheelchair so that it is easy to maintain. It also helps in giving freedom and a sense of independence to the elderly. These 4 essential functional wheelchair accessories need to be used properly. Because the elderly need to use their wheelchair for a longer duration on a daily basis.
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