The Characteristics of the Folding Wheelchair

There are two types of the manual wheelchair. One has a rigid frame while the other has a collapsible frame. The latter is called the folding wheelchair. It is easier to store and transport than the former. It is also generally heavier because it has folding and locking mechanisms and reinforcing elements. Heavy-duty and lightweight models of this kind of chair are available.

Instead of having to use a larger vehicle or provide for special transportation arrangements, a car can be used to transport a folding wheelchair; it will fit easily into the trunk when folded. The option to fold it is made possible by an x-frame that allows it to be collapsed sideways. Thus, it can be kept in a relatively small space when not in use.

The four wheels of a folding wheelchair remain on the ground when navigating on an uneven surface, making it more stable on such a surface than the chair with a rigid frame. The flexible frame of the chair yields to accommodate the unevenness of the floor, ground, or terrain. On a hard floor surface, however, it is less stable than the rigid wheelchair.

The cost for keeping a wheelchair that can be folded in good condition is greater than that for a chair with a rigid frame. The parts of the folding chair that can be adjusted and removed, while making it easy to fold and transport the chair, are worn down and get lost more easily and this leads to more frequent need for repair and replacement.

Furthermore, the folding wheelchair’s relatively greater weight requires more effort to propel and maneuver the chair. Its moving parts also make the frame flexible and this flexibility absorbs much of the force exerted to propel the chair making it harder to push and control. Greater strength and dexterity is needed in propelling and maneuvering the folding chair when compared to the chair with a rigid frame.

When in a wheelchair that can be folded, there are certain activities that it is not appropriate for the user to engage in. This is because certain compromises are made in terms of stability and strength in order to have the ability to fold the chair. The desirable features of the folding chair also make it less durable and less stable at the same time.

Individuals who are from zero to four years and those who are from 60 to 90 years old are the patients for whom the folding wheelchair is appropriate. This is because it is not optimized for self-propulsion and is therefore appropriate for those who minimal or no upper body strength. A wheelchair with a rigid frame is more appropriate to those who are able to propel a wheelchair.

The folding wheelchair is suitable for transporting in smaller vehicles that have less capacity as well as for smaller living quarters that have minimal storage space because it takes up less room when folded. Even if it is relatively heavier than the wheelchair with a rigid frame, it is more convenient for the invalid’s companion to carry and keep. Its focus is portability and ease of storage.

When to Opt for a Lightweight Wheelchair

A lightweight wheelchair weighs 34 to 36 lbs. A high strength lightweight one weighs from 30 to 34 lbs. An ultra lightweight type is less than 30 lbs. And a standard wheelchair is more than 36 lbs. These are the classifications of manual wheelchairs according to their lightness or heaviness and from which an individual weighing up to 250 lbs can choose.
Standard wheelchairs are the least expensive of all the types mentioned and come with fixed back rests, foot rests, and arm rests, and thus are not adjustable. These are made from materials which have a less desirable kind of quality. These are also the hardest to propel and transport because of their weight. Users who will not need a wheelchair for a long time are the ones for which standard types are recommended.
Individuals who can not use a standard wheelchair are those for whom lightweight wheelchairs are intended. The lightweight types are usually made from materials of a higher quality and have customizations such as foot rests, back rests, and arm rests that are adjustable. Because they are light, they are easy to operate and control. They are more expensive than the standard chair types.
The most durable of the lightweight types is the high strength lightweight wheelchair. This type offers even more options, being very functional, highly adjustable, and exceedingly manoeuvrable. Those who have special needs such as atypical seat dimensions or regularly engage in activities that lightweight and standard types do not have the capacity for are the ones that need to use this type of chair.
For those who need to have a wheelchair for more than three months and must spend a considerable amount of time in it day after day, the most desirable type is the ultra lightweight wheelchair. It is durable, very easy to operate, and has optimum adjustability. Because it is made from expensive materials and can be highly customized for the needs of the users, it is the most costly.
The heavier and less customized a wheelchair is, the less expensive it is. Lightness and added features make wheelchairs more expensive. That is why the standard wheelchair is recommended for those who do not need special features, do not spend too many hours in it, and need it only temporarily.
The features of a wheelchair must be carefully weighed against the particular needs of the user. Those who definitely can not use a standard type must have a lightweight type of chair. This is because the acquisition of a lightweight wheelchair can involve a considerable amount. If an individual can use a standard wheelchair without discomfort, inconvenience, and reduced functionality and/or mobility, a lightweight type would not be necessary.
A stronger, heavier, and/or more active individual who must use a chair for an indefinite time should have a high strength lightweight wheelchair. One who is less active, lighter and/or not so strong but must also use a chair indefinitely should have an ultra lightweight chair. These two types are the most desirable kinds of chair but they are also the most expensive.