What are the principles and directions for selecting wheelchairs?
Firstly, it is important to clarify what is most important to choose a wheelchair. The first is safety, which means that the safety of elderly people using wheelchairs must be guaranteed. The second is comfort, which refers to whether the elderly feel comfortable sitting in a wheelchair, with support for their back and no pressure on their neck. The third is portability, which means it is worry free, labor-saving, and easy to operate when using a wheelchair, reducing the difficulty of use for the elderly.
Therefore, the principles and directions for purchasing are:
Firstly, the safety technology of wheelchairs
Secondly, the riding experience of wheelchairs
Thirdly, the convenience of wheelchairs
Are wheelchairs classified? What is the basis?
Wheelchairs need to be classified into different levels. Firstly, manual and electric wheelchairs need to be separated. Otherwise, discussing prices without looking at the classification of wheelchairs would be considered rogue.
Whether it is a manual wheelchair or an electric wheelchair, the more high-end the product, the better the hardware and software configuration.
① In terms of hardware, the more expensive the configuration, the higher the price of the product.
Frame material: carbon fiber alloy>ordinary alloy>carbon steel. The better the frame material, the lighter the weight of the wheelchair, and the greater its load-bearing strength.
Tire technology: honeycomb wheels>solid wheels>inflatable wheels. The tires used for high-end wheelchairs are mostly honeycomb wheels, which can provide good shock absorption.
Motor quality: whether the power is stable, whether the speed change is gentle, and whether the climbing is strong. The motor configuration of different grades of wheelchairs is completely different.
Battery output: whether the output is balanced, whether there is short circuit protection/overcharge protection/over discharge protection, whether the battery life is long, whether charging needs to be disassembled, etc., will all affect the pricing of a wheelchair.
② In terms of functionality (software), the more comprehensive and convenient the configuration, the higher the price of the product.
Storage and Folding: Whether storage is convenient, whether it is foldable without buckles or with buckles, whether it can stand after folding, whether the folded size can be used on airplanes, etc. The better the product, the more comprehensive it can be considered.
Comfort: The thickness and breathability of the seat surface, whether there is a headrest, whether the backrest can be raised (elderly people have more force support on their back while sitting, stronger comfort, and relieve pressure on their neck), whether there are leg guards, etc. A good product will prioritize the comfort of passengers and put more effort into the experience.
Nursing needs: For elderly people who are inconvenient to use the toilet, the demand for wheelchairs will include whether there is a pull-out toilet, and wheelchairs equipped with such functions will be relatively more expensive.
Overall, the price of a good wheelchair is not determined by any single factor. It must be good hardware configuration and user-friendly functional design to gain everyone's recognition.