The Wheelchair Guide
Your Wheelchair and Mobility Scooter Resource
Manual Wheelchairs for Seniors
May 18th, 2009
For a senior, walking for extended periods of time can often be very difficult, which is often the result of injuries or in some cases diseases, such as arthritis. Finding a way to increase accessibility and mobility is very important and often a manual wheelchair will offer the least expensive option for a senior.
A Brief Introduction to Manual Wheelchairs
The wheelchair is probably the most well recognized and well known mobility aid, and its origins can be traced back many thousands of years. However, the modern wheelchair, with its steel tubed frame, two large wheels in back, and smaller wheels in front, is actually a fairly recent inventions. These manual wheelchairs, which can be found at virtually any hospital, store, or airport, are based off of the E & J wheelchair, which was first developed and refined during the 1920′s and 30′s.
The E & J wheelchair, which features lightweight steel tubing and can be easily folded to make transportation easier, is still around today and serves as the basis for most manual wheelchairs. In fact, early electric wheelchairs also used the E & J design. Today there are many adaptations of the E & J wheelchair and many improvements have been made to increase durability, reduce weight, and improve comfort.
Seniors and Manual Wheelchairs
For a senior, a manual wheelchair is often one of the easiest ways to make getting from point a to point b easier. However, using a manual wheelchair requires a good deal of upper body strength, so as a result, most seniors who use manual wheelchairs rely on a family, friend, or caretaker member to push the wheelchair.
Due to their lightweight and lower cost, manual wheelchairs do make an excellent choice for traveling or going places, like an amusement park, where a lot of walking is required. This is of course, as long as there is someone available to operate the wheelchair.
In addition to the large rear wheels and smaller front wheels, manual wheelchairs also include anti-tip casters. Ant-tip casters extend from the rear of the wheelchair, usually at least six inches from the ground. In the event that the wheelchair is tipped backwards, the anti-tip casters make contact with the ground, keeping the wheelchair from completely tipping over.
Seniors and Transport Chairs
If the senior is not going to be using the wheelchair at all, transport wheelchair, which are also called transfer chairs, are available as well. A transfer chair is similar to a wheelchair, however it does not feature the large rear wheels, which make it possible for the wheelchair user to roll the chair independently, but are instead designed to make it easier for a caretaker or family member to roll the wheelchair. These are often a good choice because they are typically lighter and smaller, making them easier for a caretaker to use.
Pros and Cons of Manual Wheelchairs for Seniors
While manual wheelchairs or transfer chairs are often the easiest type of mobility aid to procure and are also often the most cost effective option, for a senior, they are often not the easiest type of mobility aid for a senior to use.
For use around the home, it could be a good choice, as they are very maneuverable and in such a small area, it would not require too much effort to use the chair. For long distances though, using a manual wheelchair could quickly become tiring for a senior, so manual wheelchairs might not provide the best choice for a senior who lives independently.
Electric Power Wheelchairs: An Introduction
April 29th, 2009
The electric wheelchair is today very popular and has been around since the early 1950′s. Early electric wheelchairs simply used the frame of a manual wheelchair and added an electric motor to it. Unlike manual wheelchairs, which require a great deal of upper body strength to use, electric wheelchairs require virtually no effort on the part of the user. They are also often referred to as power chairs or electric power chairs.
Today, some models are still available that use a traditional manual wheelchair design, but most make use of a molded plastic base, which contains the electric motor. One or more batteries is also contained in the base of the electric wheelchair, which allows it to be used over great distances.
The range and top speed of an electric wheelchair varies by model, but most are able to at least travel 5 miles on a single charge and at speeds of around 4 mph. The weight capacity of electric wheelchairs varies by model, but 250 pounds is almost an industry standard.
The chair of the electric wheelchair in some regards resembles an office chair, with a high back and armrests on either side. It includes a good deal of padding and can be reclined. It also usually swivels to the left or right, allowing for the power chair to be exited in a safe manner. The chair, which is often called the Captain’s Chair, usually has foldable armrests to further facilitate smooth transfers into and out of the chair. Some even have an electrical lifting system, which raises and lowers the chair. This can be important if, for example, using a table that is higher than normal.
Electric Wheelchair Control Systems
Most power chairs use a joystick control that is mounted to the armrest of the chair. This design is the same used on the first electric wheelchairs and can be configured for use on the left or right side of the power chair. There are also a number of alternate controls available for those who are not able to operate the joystick.
Perhaps the most common alternate wheelchair control allows the wheelchair to be controlled by the users breath. Blowing into the wheelchair moves it forward and breathing in moves it backwards. The direction of the wheelchair can also be controlled. There are a number of other alternate controls, including a remote control that can be operated by a caretaker.
Portable Power Chairs
If you want to transport a traditional power chair, it is usually necessary to use a wheelchair lift. However, portable power chairs are available, which are lightweight and can be folded to take up less space. These models closely resemble a manual wheelchair, with a steel or aluminum frame and cloth seat. However, they still weigh a great deal more than a manual wheelchair would.
The motor and battery is installed under the seat and while these units often do not have as far of a range as other power chairs, they are easier to transport.
Manual Wheelchair Parts Diagram
April 20th, 2009
Today, there are a number of different wheelchairs available, but the most common is the steel framed wheelchair. This type of manual wheelchair shares the E & J design, which was developed over eighty years ago, and is the type found in most hospitals. They are also referred to as Traditional wheelchairs, standard wheelchairs, or Conventional Wheelchairs.
Below, you will find a diagram of a traditional wheelchair and a list of its components. Click on any of the links to find out its description or you can scroll down the page.
- Footrest
- Legrest
- Front Rigging
- Frame
- Seat
- Metal Skirt
- Armrests
- Backrest
- Push Handles
- Push Axle
- Rear Wheels
- Handrims
- Brakes
- Tipping Lever
- Crossbars
- Caster Wheels
- Anti-Tip Casters (Not Pictured)
1. Footrest: The footrests, which are also called footplates and footpedals, can be adjusted to accommodate different lengths and can also be rotated.
2. Legrest: The legrest extends from the front of the wheelchair and the footrest is attached to the legrest.
3. Front Rigging: The front rigging refers to the footrest arm and the legrest as a single unit. In most conventional wheelchairs, the front rigging can be removed, but this is not always the case in less expensive models. It can also often be elevated to provide an elevated leg rest.
4. Frame: The conventional wheelchairs frame is made out of cold rolled steel that is chrome plated. The frame is the heaviest part of the wheelchair and it can weigh up to 50 pounds, but a stainless steel frame is also available that weighs about ten pounds less.
5. Seat: The seat, like the other fabric parts of a conventional wheelchair, is made from vinyl and uses a sling design. Multiple colors are often available and the vinyl fabric makes it very easy to clean.
6. Metal Skirt: The metal skirt is installed on either side of a conventional wheelchair between the armrests. It is designed to protect the users clothes from dirt, moisture, and debris that can be kicked up by the wheels. Metal Skirts also prevent the users clothes from becoming caught in the wheelchair.
7. Armrests: There are two types of armrests: Full length and Desk Type. The armrests are secured to the frame in two places and are designed to be very sturdy.
8. Backrest: The Backrest height is fixed and typically is about 16 ½ inches high. However, reclining backrests and extending backrest are available as options for most conventional wheelchairs.
9. Push handles: The Push Handles are located on the back of the wheelchair and rubber handles are installed to make them more comfortable.
10. Push Axle: The Push Axle ensures provides support for the push handles and is at a fixed height.
11. Rear Wheels: Typically the rear wheels will be 24 inches in diameter. Both Pneumatic and Solid tires are used. The rear wheels are used for manual propulsion of the wheelchair.
12. Handrims: The handrims extend outwards from the rear wheel. They are typically chrome plated and are used to propel the wheelchair.
13. Brakes: The brakes are located on the large rear wheels. They are typically located on the front of the wheel next to the bottom of the seat.
14. Tipping Lever: The tipping lever extends from the bottom of the frame and is designed to make it easier to move the wheelchair over obstacles, such as curbs. The person pushing the wheelchair will put weight on the tipping lever, which causes the wheelchair to tip backwards.
15. Crossbars: The crossbars are located under the seat and allow the wheelchair to be easily folded for storage and transportation. There are typically no locks to keep the conventional wheelchair from folding, but instead the weight of the user prevents the wheelchair from being folded.
16. Caster Wheels: The wheels of a conventional wheelchair are called caster wheels and are typically 8 inches in diameter. They are typically made of solid rubber, but for outdoor use pneumatic tires are recommended.
17. Anti-Tip Casters (Not Pictured): Anti-Tip Casters are not always present on conventional wheelchairs, but they can usually be added. They are designed to prevent the wheelchair from tipping over backwards. In the event that the wheelchair tips over too far, the anti-tip casters make contact with the ground, preventing it from completely tipping over.
The conventional wheelchair remains one of the most popular and recognized type of manual wheelchairs available. They are often available in a number of different colors and many offer features to make them easier to use, such as removable armrests to make transferring into and out of the wheelchair easier. They can be seen in public areas, like hotels, airports, grocery stores, and hospitals, which offer wheelchairs for their patrons to use.
Challenges Faced by New Wheelchair Users
April 16th, 2009
Today, there are a number of different types of wheelchairs available. There are literally hundreds of different features and designs that are available to help fit the needs of wheelchair users. For the new wheelchair user, choosing the right wheelchair can often be a very difficult and confusing task.
Usually when an individual gets their first wheelchair, they do not know a lot about how wheelchairs work and what features will fit their needs. Often, a doctor will prescribe a wheelchair as part of their treatment and then take measurements of the individual to determine what type of wheelchair to order. There are actually a number of problems that can arise from this process, but they typically are caused by the patients own lack of knowledge of wheelchairs and the fact that the doctor is not a wheelchair user.
Since many doctors have never actually used a wheelchair for an extended period of time, through no fault of their own, they might not be the best resource for fitting an individual to a wheelchair. The patient, who is also inexperienced in wheelchairs, turns to the doctor as an expert on wheelchairs, but this is not going to always be the case.
Instead, the doctors experience with wheelchairs is often limited to a few days of training during college, so they measure the patient and plug the numbers into a worksheet to determine the proper dimensions. As a result, the wheelchair prescribed might not fit the best needs of the patient.
This is, of course, not to say that all doctors are poorly, have an ill intentions, or are not a good source of information. However, it is important to understand that since the doctor or specialists has probably never used a wheelchair for an extended period of time, they are not always as knowledgeable about the subject as a person might think.
To help deal with these challenges, there are a number of things the wheelchair user can do. First and foremost, it is a good idea to do some research about wheelchairs. This can involve reading articles about wheelchairs, but it is highly recommended to also talk with someone else who uses a wheelchair, because they offer a wealth of information.
Another great source of information is actually wheelchair salesman. They quite often know a great deal about wheelchairs and can be a great resource. However, since they are a salesman, it is imperative to remember they want to sell you a wheelchair and so, might not provide you a completely objective view. Instead, they will likely only mention products they offer, so it is very important to take what they say with a grain of salt.
One of the major parts of determining what type of wheelchair is best, will revolve around where the wheelchair will be used and the physical abilities of the rider. Since manual wheelchairs can be very strenuous, someone with very limited mobility might not be able to successfully use it, the physical abilities of the wheelchair user will be one of the most important considerations.
There are also a number of features and adjustments that can be made to the wheelchair to make it more comfortable and usable. For instance, some manual wheelchairs do not have armrests, which can make it more maneuverable, less strenuous on the arms, and easier to move under a table. Others have lowered backs, which make turning around in the wheelchair easier, or are designed to move much faster than traditional wheelchairs. This can be one area where an existing wheelchair user can offer excellent insight, but remember that some of these factors will come down to personal preference.
Understanding the options available and doing a good bit of research, can make finding the right wheelchair much easier.
For the wheelchair user, being involved in the wheelchair selection is imperative and one of the most important things they can do, because when a wheelchair is prescribed strictly by the books and without input from the patient, it will not always fully meet their needs.
The Beginning of the Modern Manual Wheelchair
April 4th, 2009
For most, the image of the manual wheelchair is very well known and the first thought when the word wheelchair is mentioned. They are also the oldest type of wheelchair, with records of manual wheelchairs dating back many thousands of years. Of course, these early wheelchairs looked a great deal different from the manual wheelchair of today.
Some of the earliest records of wheelchairs date back to the early Asian empires and are known about only because of the images found by historians. These devices were often simply just wheeled carts and were even sometimes pulled by animals. As time progressed, the wheelchair would continue to develop, but there was not a real standard until the late 1800′s. Up until this point, wheelchairs came in many different sizes and often very cost prohibitive. In most cases, these early wheelchairs were only available to nobility, who had them custom built.
By the beginning of the 1900′s, a wicker wheelchair had become popular, but it was rather heavy to use and could not be self propelled. This changed with the development of the E & J wheelchair. The E & J wheelchair used hollow steel tubing to provide a strong, but lightweight frame. It could also be folded to take up less space and featured large wheels in the back. The wheels were designed so that the wheelchair user could propel themselves without assistance. Since the wheelchair could be folded and was so lightweight, it could be easily traveled with, making it very popular.
Around the same time that the E & J wheelchair was developed, World War II began. During the previous war, World War I, there had been a number of wounded soldiers, but due to the medical conditions, there was not that high of a survival rate. However, by the time World War II had began, there had been a number of improvements in medical care. One of the most important being the discovery of penicillin, which is a powerful antibiotic. As a result, there was large increase soldiers who survived as paraplegics. This increase would drive demand for the E & J wheelchair.
This early wheelchair would form the basis for the modern wheelchair and its basic design is still used today.. Its design being used in almost all forms of manual wheelchairs.
Welcome
April 4th, 2009
Thanks for stopping by. My name is Robert and The Wheelchair Guide is a site that is aimed at providing informationnot only about mobility vehicles, like wheelchairs and mobility scooters, but also about other mobility accessories.
Please continue to stay with us as we add new information and if there is every anything that you are curious about or need more information on, please do not hesitate to ask. Our staff will attempt to help you in anyway we can.
We will strive to offer you informative and interesting articles regarding health and medical news.
Wheelchair Basketball
November 10th, 2008
Wheelchairs have been used pretty much since the beginning of time, but until the 1900′s, they really didn’t resemble the wheelchairs of today. By the 1930′s, there were several steel tubed wheelchairs available that closely resemble the type of chair you see today. It was also around this time that wheelchairs sports first became popular.
The late 1930′s until the mid 1940′s, were a very violent time. Many millions of people lost their lives during World War II, but there were also a lot of medical advances, such as the use of penicillin to fight infection. Due to these advances, there was an increased number of soldiers who survived serious injuries, but were left disabled. It was this influx of disabled veterans that would lead to the development of wheelchair sports.
One of the first wheelchair sports to be played was wheelchair basketball. The first recorded game between veterans took place in 1946, but it is usually attributed, at least in part, to a German neurologist named Ludwig Guttmann. Guttmann fled Germany during the beginning of the Second World War. After the war, he founded the National Spinal Injuries Centre, which was located near London in Stoke Mandeville Hospital. He firmly believed that sports were an integral part of rehabilitation and would go on to found the Stoke Mandeville Wheelchair Games, which were the predecessor to the Paralympics.
After that first game of wheelchair basketball in 1946, the popularity would quickly spread among veterans and others who used wheelchairs. It became a part of the Stoke Mandeville Wheelchair Games in 1956 and the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation was founded in 1973. Today it is played by thousands in countries all over the World.
The Basics
Wheelchair basketball is played on a regulation basketball court and the rules are based off of the official NCAA rules, with some changes to address the needs of those in wheelchairs.
Generally in order to play, the individual must be affected by some sort of leg disability or paralysis that affects the lower part of their body, but there are some teams that have able bodied players on them. To achieve a balance, each player is ranked according to their abilities. The players are classified by their disability, for instance a player with complete motor loss would be classified as a Class I player. There is a set amount of points attached to each classification and the total point value of a teams active players can not be greater than 12. This is designed to create a team balance.
The wheelchair used to play wheelchair basketball must also meet several requirements. The height of the seat should not be greater than 21†and the foot rest should not be higher than 5â€. A seat cushion is permitted for each player, but it can not exceed 2†to 4†depending on the players classification. The wheelchairs are usually outfitted with anti-tip bars and other protective tools
General contact rules apply, such as charging and blocking, and the wheelchair is considered part of the players body. Players in possession of the ball may push their wheels to advance, but they can not push more than twice without either dribbling or passing the ball. Pushing more than twice is considered traveling.
A player will loose possession of the ball if they make any contact with the floor. This includes if the wheelchair tips back far enough that the anti-tip wheels make contact with the floor. Generally if a player falls from their chair, the referees will not stop the game unless there is a danger to the player.
New ISO Standard for Electric Wheelchairs
November 10th, 2008
Wheelchairs today offer increased mobility to people all over the world. Even in only the last ten years, there have been many improvements to the design and reliability of the electric wheelchair, but there are still many areas, both around the home and away, that can present an obstacle to a person using a wheelchair. In an effort to help make choosing a wheelchair based on its abilities to navigate these types of obstacles easier, a new ISO standard was recently released.
This ISO standard, ISO 7176-10:2008, is the tenth part of a of an ISO that deals with wheelchairs. Specifically, this new standard is aimed at determining the ability of an electric wheelchair, or power chair, to climb or descend obstacles. This includes curbs, doorways, uneven pavement, and other obstacles that an individual might encounter. It presents a set of test procedures to use, describes the type of equipment required to preform tests, and how to evaluate the findings.
It is hoped that with the adoption of this standard, the consumer will be able to better rate different wheelchairs and find one that specifically meets their needs. This rating will better reflect not only the overall ability of the wheelchair, but also how adept it is at driving over obstacles.
The International Organization of Standardization, or ISO, is an organization that is represented by individuals from across the world. They meet to create international standards and specifications for many types of products, including health and disability related products. Even though the organization is itself not directly tied to the government, many of their standards end up being turned into law.
The ISO 7176 is a series on wheelchairs prepared by a group of professionals and researchers of Assistive products and how these devices can be used by people in wheelchairs. It help provides a method of classifying wheelchairs based on factors like their size, weight, maneuverability, energy usage, ease of control, acceleration, overall strength, crash resistance, quality of brakes, and speed.
Collision Detection on a Wheelchair
November 10th, 2008
Pooja Viswanathan is a Computer Science student at the University of British Colombia. She has developed a system that can be integrated into most electric wheelchairs to provide collision detection and also learn an area.
Viswanathan observed that often those that have cognitive or physical difficulties have difficulties using an electrical wheelchair. In many cases, it is actually dangerous for them to do so. Commonly these individuals will be given manual wheelchair, but frequently they are unable to move them. She set out to help individuals in these situations and others who use electric wheelchairs.
Her device consists of two cameras that interface to a laptop located under the wheelchairs seat. The cameras work to map the environment where the chair is used. The cameras can calculate distances between objects and detect an imminent collision. If a collision is detected, the wheelchair will take over, but otherwise the wheelchair owner is left to control the chair.
The laptop, tracks where a user goes and begins to learn their behaviors. Eventually it can evaluate the users ability and adapt to provide more or less assistance. The interaction between the person and the laptop is done through audio commands issued from the laptop.
One of the advantages of this type of system is that the wheelchair user is largely free to drive the chair wherever they want. With the collision detection in place, dangerous objects are avoided, so not only are they free to move virtually wherever they please, they are also free from danger.
Wheelchair Controls and BCI
November 10th, 2008
The first electric wheelchair was invented in the fifties. This chair made use of a simple control stick that could be mounted to either side of the chair. This allowed the chairs occupant to control the movement of the wheelchair using little more than a finger. This control setup is still very common, but, as the inventors in the fifties quickly realized, many people cannot use the joystick system.
Alternative control methods were developed almost as soon as the electric wheelchair was created. Several different control schemes were created, but the most common utilized head movement to control the wheelchairs.
There are many different control setups that are used today, including several that utilize head movements. One of the most common types of alternate wheelchair control uses the breath of the user to control the chair. The occupant will blow or suck through a small straw, which controls the wheelchair.
Several different wheelchair control systems are currently in the development stage, which use computers to control the chair. One uses voice recognition software to control the chair, while another uses a small magnet that is stuck to the riders tongue. A special headset picks up the movements of the magnet and sends them to a computer.
Recently, thought controlled computers have begun to be experimented with. This is commonly referred to as a brain-computer interface (BCI.) The development of a BCI actually began in the seventies, but it wasn’t until the middle of the nineties that an actual working prototype was built.
A brain-computer interface offers two different services. It can allow an individual to interact with a computer or it can be used to help trigger nerves and possible facilitate movement. In the terms of wheelchair control, the ability to interact with the computer is of most importance, but being able to have the computer signal back if there is an object in the way, could also be extremely beneficial.
In regards to wheelchairs, this technology offers many exciting applications. Computer controlled wheelchairs are currently available and being developed. These machines can be for the most part completely controlled by a laptop, so using BCI, an individual will eventually be able to control their wheelchair with only a thought.
There are two main types of Brain Controlled Interfaces: Invasive and non-invasive. Invasive BCI, involves physically implanting an electrode into the brain. These offer the clearest signal, but pose a health risk, as sometimes the area will scar or weaken. There are also a less invasive version that implants electrodes into the head, but not into the brain. This improves signal, but reduces the risk of irritating the brain.
Non-invasive BCIs are more common today. A user will wear a piece of headgear that is covered in electrodes. The signal is weaker, but it is currently safer to use in this manner.
Brain Controlled Computers will likely play a big part in rehabilitation treatment in the future. Several studies and commercial ventures are currently taking part in research and development of BCI. There are several systems available that allow a user to control a computer with their mind and thereby allowing them to speak and communicate their thoughts.