Blog posts of '2016' 'March'

Powerchairs, also known as Electric Wheelchairs, are designed for people who are unable to walk or are only able to walk very short distances. Powerchairs enable you to remain independent in your own home or nursing home and also allow you to get out and about. Most Powerchairs are driven by the user via a joystick control.

While many people are a little apprehensive and doubt their ability to control the chair with the joystick, with a little guidance they soon get the hang of it and before they know it they’re whizzing about!

Choosing a Powerchair – Indoor or Outdoor.

There are a number of factors to be considered when choosing a Powerchair. Is your Powerchair for indoor or outdoor use, or both? If it is mainly for indoor use you will need to choose a chair that can be manoeuvred in tight spaces and around doorways. If your Powerchair is mainly for outdoor use you need to consider the type of terrain that the chair will need to cover and also if there are any major inclines. The addition of a kerb climber may be important if lowered wheelchair accessible kerbs are not plentiful in your area. Battery range and top speed need to also be considered.

Finding a Comfortable Powerchair

If you are spending a long period of time in a Powerchair, then your comfort is of upmost importance. We have a range of seating options available, e.g. high-back ‘captain style’ seats can offer better levels of comfort. All of our Powerchairs have adjustable seats, meaning that the width, depth and angle can be set up according to your size, giving a perfect fit every time. We also offer a range of belts, laterals and headrests to customise your Powerchair to suit your needs. Our seating experts will assess your needs and recommend the best solution for you.

Transporting a Powerchair

Another thing to consider is how you wish to get around with your chair. Do you want to be able to use the Powerchair as your seat in a vehicle? If so it will need to be a crash tested model. Or do you wish to be able to disassemble it for transport?

Which Powerchair is right for me?

Our advice would be to contact our specialist seating team and together we will organise an assessment and recommend the right chair for you.

A Riser Recliner is ideal if you have difficulty standing up or sitting down due to restricted mobility, e.g. MS, Arthritis, Rheumatism or circulation problems. These ingenious chairs will gently guide you into a standing or seating position with the use of a built in motor. The Riser Recliner can recline to a number of settings and also raise the footrest to give you a large choice of seating positions.

What is the difference between single motor and dual motor?

You can purchase a Riser Recliner with either a single or dual motor. Single motor riser recliners will lower the backrest whilst simultaneously raising the footrest, relaxing you into a comfortable laying position. With a dual motor riser recliner there are two motors which raise and lower the back and foot rests independently, allowing you an almost infinite number of positions to choose from. A dual motor riser recliner is suitable if you need to be able to sit up vertically but also keep your legs raised.

What is the right Riser Recliner for me?

Once you have decided on your motor type then the most important decision is on the style of chair and fabric choice for your Riser Recliner. We have a wide range of chairs available in various sizes so it is important to choose a chair that will fit in your home. Be sure to allow room for the chair to recline. All of our Riser Recliners are beautifully made and offer great comfort. Many have a memory foam cushioning for extra support and comfort. All models are available in a wide range of colours and fabrics and we are confident that you will find a chair that will look beautiful in your home. If you need any further advice, please contact us. We’d be happy to help.