Folding Wheelchairs / Collapsible Wheelchairs

Why Someone May Need a Folding Wheelchair

There are many reasons why people use folding wheelchairs. From the caregivers’ and medical professionals’ perspective, a lightweight collapsible wheelchair is one of the most practical manual wheelchair types. Manual folding wheelchairs are extremely durable, and are easy to store away when they aren’t needed for use. Another benefit of these wheelchairs is that they often weigh less than many solid-frame wheelchairs. All these factors can make life much easier for a disabled or elderly user.

There Are Numerous Benefits of a Folding Wheelchair

When it comes to using a wheelchair, there are many different options, including some choices of powered chairs, but the truth is, when one has enough hand motor coordination, using a manual wheelchair, folding or otherwise, is more advantageous to one’s physical wellbeing.

Lightweight 

When comparing the weight of many manual wheelchairs, one will notice that folding wheelchairs are lighter, especially when compared to electric models, yet keep in mind that the lightweightedness does not detract from its sturdiness or its capacity to bear weight.

Good for One’s Health
When one goes places (without a caregiver) with this wheelchair, he is getting exercise with every push forward. Manual wheelchairs offer some mobility and motor function exercise, especially for the upper body. This provides a great way for users to get more upper body physical exercise in order to compensate for limited mobility of the legs.

Quite Compact

The fact that these wheelchairs are able to fold makes them extremely popular. They can be taken along when traveling, and will take up less packing space in the trunk. Being that the wheelchair’s portableness is a great feature that many users enjoy, it’s helpful to know that you’ll have plenty of compatible attachments for your folding wheelchair when you take it on the road.

Definitely Durable

Most folding wheelchairs are made with leather, “pleather” or vinyl seats. Some even have cloth seats, and most of them are framed with medical grade steel, aluminum, or titanium. In any case, the materials that make up your wheelchair are important when it comes to being able to provide that extra security one may need.

Hygienic

When it comes to cleaning, the fabric of wheelchairs is often removable, making cleanup a breeze. Otherwise, one can simply wipe down and sanitize the wheelchair.

No Technicians Needed

Because of their ease of use, folding wheelchairs also have excellent benefits when it comes to the need of servicing and repairing them. Most of the time, lightweight foldable chairs can be easily repaired by the user or the caregiver themselves. Simply order the replacement parts and use a few handy tools in order to make repairs when needed.

Key Features of a Folding Wheelchair

There are many ergonomic features for buyers to consider when looking to purchase a collapsible wheelchair. Further, there are more than one type of lightweight foldable wheelchairs out there. Some key features one may want to ensure that a wheelchair has are:

Armrests and Wheel Rails

Sturdy armrests are important because one will want to have a good place to rest their arms once in a while. This feature will also provide assistance to the caregiver who is pushing or helping to transport.

Wheel rails are equally important because they are the means by which the user is able to manually grip the wheel bar in order to move the wheel on the single or double axle. Sometimes, especially in cold or wet terrain, when a user may want to have a better grip, it’s best to choose to wear wheelchair gloves.

Reclining Capability

Some models are able to recline, making a more comfortable user experience altogether. These reclining wheelchair models generally have a slightly higher backrest, and a bit more flexibility in the elevating leg rests so they can be better elevated and angled.

Wheel Strength

Many popular wheelchairs have wheels, but what’s important to consider is the type of wheel included. Most often, manual folding wheelchairs with smaller wheels that don’t have handrails are designed more for those who cannot drive themselves. These people rely on a caretaker to push them with the convenient rear-handles.

Weight Capacity of the Chair

The weight capacity of a wheelchair is extremely important. The adjusted weight capacity may be different than the actual weight that a wheelchair can hold, and when you look carefully, often the seat and backrest affect how much total weight they can accommodate.

The Height of the Chair

Another thing to consider is the base height of the chair’s seat from the ground. There are many options that can allow the seats in some wheelchair models to be completely adjustable, while others are generally stationary to one certain height above the ground. Be sure the height is properly suited to the user’s needs.

The Types of Leg Rests It Has

There are many types of wheelchair legrests. Chairs with fixed footrests are fairly common, but there are many lightweight folding chairs with elevating leg rests on the market as well. This helps to keep the user’s feet off of the ground as they travel to and fro.

Get the best wheelchair that money can buy at AvaCare Medical today. Our folding wheelchairs have been recognized as some of the top rated wheelchairs in the country. 

If you live in any of the 48 contiguous U.S. states, we’d love to fill your order for you! For further clarifications, don’t hesitate to call us at 1-877-813-7799 or email us today!

DISCLAIMER: The information and product categorization on this page are not intended as a substitute for medical advice. We have made every effort to create an accurate and user-friendly category, however, it is the user's responsibility to review each product and determine its suitability for their intended use.