Choosing the right pediatric wheelchair is important. And often this can be an overwhelming task for parents and caregivers. Especially as there are so many options and factors to consider, so let’s take a look at five essential tips that can help guide you in choosing the right pediatric wheelchair for your child’s needs.
Finding the perfect wheelchairs for kids can transform your child’s daily life. It can be essential in providing them with independence, helping to make activities more accessible, as well as reducing caregiver strain.
1. Comfort and fit for long-term use
One of the most important factors to consider is comfort. It’s essential to ensure the chair will provide a proper fit. This is not only essential for your child’s comfort but also important in promoting good posture and helping to prevent long-term physical issues.
Measuring your child’s seat width, depth and back height can help you to choose the right size. Look for models that provide sufficient support for the back, hips, and legs. You could also consider other features such as footrests, armrests, and seat cushions too.
These can provide extra comfort, which can be important if you’re child spends long periods of time in their chair. It’s a good idea to choose a pediatric wheelchair that offers adjustable features like seat width and backrest height. This gives you the chance to make adjustments, especially as your child grows.
2. Consult a healthcare professional
Consulting with a professional is a good way to ensure you’re choosing the best wheelchair for your child. Not only will they be familiar with models and what to look for in a wheelchair. They also have extensive medical knowledge.
These specialists can help asses your child’s mobility, strength, and posture and provide you with expert recommendations on which features will be more beneficial. They can help you to find the option that’s suited to their needs the most. Booking a consultant with your child’s therapist or doctor beforehand can help you to enter the process of purchasing a wheelchair more informed.
These professionals can help you beyond purchasing the chair too. This includes guiding you through the fitting process to ensure that the chair is set up properly. This is essential to ensure a fully functional chair and comfort for your child.
3. Evaluate Adjustability and Growth Potential
When considering your options for a kid’s wheelchair, it’s really important that you’re thinking about the future too. Children grow quickly, both their bodies and their minds. Choosing a chair that can adapt to these changes will mean that you don’t have to purchase a new one every few years. This can end up being costly as well as disruptive.
Looking for a kid wheelchair that has an adjustable seat width, depth, backrest angle and leg rests. This range of features will allow the chair to grow with your child to accommodate changes in posture and physical development.
Features that are customizable will also allow the chair to adapt to different activities, providing more flexibility to adapt to your child’s everyday life as well as their short-term and long-term needs.
4. Maintenance and Durability
A child’s wheelchair is an investment. So it’s important to ensure that it’s durable and easy to maintain. Quality needs to be a top priority, especially if you’re relying on a wheelchair lasting a long time. Look for a wheelchair made from high-quality materials that are able to withstand everyday use.
Lightweight frames, puncture-resistant tires, and long-lasting upholstery can help ensure that the wheelchair remains functional and safe for years. While these materials may cost more, opting for quality will mean your wheelchair lasts longer.
Maintenance is often a factor that many people forget about until it’s too late. Before purchasing a wheelchair, make sure that it’s easy to maintain. This means easy-to-remove parts for cleaning for example, or features that allow for simple repair. Regularly maintaining your wheelchair will help it to run smoothly, safely, and efficiently.
5. Manual vs. Powered
One of the biggest things to consider when choosing a wheelchair is manual vs. powered (electric). This choice will depend on your child’s physical abilities and the level of independence that they need. Both come with their own benefits and weaknesses, it’s important to consider these before making a decision.
Manual wheelchairs are typically lighter, which can make them easier to maneuver. This can be useful when it comes to travel. They are ideal for a child who has sufficient upper body strength to wheel the chair on their own. Manual wheelchairs tend to be more affordable and versatile, suitable for both indoors and outdoors.
Whereas a powered wheelchair is better suited for a child who has limited strength or who might find it difficult to wheel a manual chair. Powered wheelchairs are better for navigating longer distances with ease and can be customized to suit different needs.
Powered wheelchairs tend ot be heavier and more expensive. However, they can provide a significant amount of independence for children who have more severe challenges with mobility.
Choosing the perfect wheelchair for your child requires you to consider a number of different factors. By taking the time to carefully consider your situation as well as the options available, you can make the right decision for your child and their quality of life.