Wheelchairs make the daily life of people with limited mobility easier. But, since there’s a decline in physical strength as you get older, certain types of wheelchairs might not be as useful as they're supposed to. That’s where lightweight wheelchairs come in.
This article aims to provide comprehensive insights into various aspects of these wheelchairs, including those designed for individuals with physical disabilities. Discover the distinctions between a lightweight wheelchair and a standard one, and explore the advantages that lightweight manual wheelchairs offer, particularly for the elderly and those with limited mobility.
Standard vs. Lightweight Manual Wheelchair
Not all manual wheelchairs are lightweight. Generally, you can identify them between standard manual wheelchairs and lightweight ones. Their main difference is their builds:
- Lightweight wheelchairs are made of lighter materials and thinner frames.
- Most lightweight wheelchairs can be folded up for easier storage and transportation.
- Lightweight wheelchairs typically weigh between 25 to 40 lbs, while standard wheelchairs can weigh at least 50 lbs.
Ultimately, because of the difference in their construction or build, they aren’t suited to be used by certain wheelchair users:
- Lightweight wheelchairs aren’t for people who weigh more than 250 lbs.
- They aren’t suitable for full-time wheelchair users.
Ultimately, lightweight wheelchairs are ideal for older people. People who need extra support to move around and travel longer distances.
6 Benefits of Lightweight Manual Wheelchairs
Lightweight wheelchairs are made for mobility-challenged people. They enable people with age to take part in everyday activities with ease. Aside from that, these wheelchairs also offer many advantages to the elderly, including:
1. Increases Independence and Self-Esteem
Older people tend to get tired faster, hindering their ability to do things independently. The elderly are prone to lose their self-esteem and sense of independence. This is true when other people help them do daily activities, even just moving.
With lightweight wheelchairs, older people don’t necessarily need a caretaker to use them. These are designed so that even older users can propel and maneuver themselves without a problem.
Being able to move by themselves can give users a sense of independence. When they can do things for themselves, whatever the user’s age is, their self-esteem is boosted.
2. Made With High-Quality Materials
A common misconception about lightweight wheelchairs is that they don’t last long simply because they’re lightweight. But this isn’t really true.
Lightweight manual wheelchairs are made of aluminum. It’s a strong material, comparable to other industrial-grade materials. You can also find ones made with titanium, lighter than aluminum. These titanium ones also have shock-absorbing abilities for a smoother ride, even on rough terrains.
The main difference between the two is their market price. Aluminum lightweight wheelchairs are less expensive and more budget-friendly.
3. Ease of Storage and Transportation
Lightweight manual wheelchairs are made with lightweight yet durable materials, like aluminum. This makes them easy to use and bring with you even when traveling. They’re easy to use when using different modes of transportation, like planes or trains.
Additionally, most of these lightweight wheelchairs are foldable. This makes them easy for older people and their families to bring with them when traveling. They can be easily folded up to a more compact size. This also makes them easy to store even in small spaces, like the trunk of a car, on an airplane, in your closet, in a case, etc.
4. Allows Self-Propulsion
Lightweight wheelchairs feature prominently sized rear wheels that facilitate self-propulsion. These substantial wheels enhance maneuverability, catering to individuals across various age groups, including those with physical disabilities.
As previously noted, these wheelchairs are crafted from aluminum, a material lighter than steel. This attribute allows for effortless navigation, particularly for individuals who might experience fatigue quickly or possess weaker muscles, such as older adults or those with physical impairments.
5. Comes With Convenient Features
Aside from their portability, lightweight wheelchairs also come with many features. Features that make them easy and comfortable to use by the elderly. Some of these features include the following:
-
Cushioning: This offers added comfort in a wheelchair. You can get lightweight wheelchairs with extra seat cushions and leg rests. Shock absorbers can also be added to the chair’s framework for an enhanced seating experience.
-
Armrests: These can come in desk-length sizes or full-length ones. Desk length is ideal for using a wheelchair while sitting at a table or desk. Moreover, armrests can also be fixed or movable. You can opt for foldable and down armrests. This is ideal if you want a more convenient chair when transferring to the bed or toilet.
-
Leg Rests: The leg rests on lightweight wheelchairs offer versatile configurations, including swingaways or click-off mechanisms, and can be designed for standard sitting posture or elevation. Elevated leg rests, in particular, hold significant appeal, especially for individuals dealing with circulation issues or recovering from injuries.
-
Wheels: For easy propulsion, most lightweight wheelchairs come with large back wheels. They’re easier to turn and need less energy to move, which is a great advantage for old users.
-
Safety Features: Lightweight wheelchairs also come with safety features like anti-tip guards. These are anti-tip protections in the rear part. They prevent the user and the chair from flipping backward when propelling themselves. If older people will use a wheelchair, this would be an ideal feature.
6. More Room for Customization
Depending on the user’s needs, lightweight wheelchairs can be tailored to how they need theirs to be. This benefits older people who might have specific requirements for their wheelchairs.
Users can add extra features like head and armrests and attachable storage bags. This can offer more comfort and convenience. So, depending on the user’s ideal wheelchair, they can customize the wheelchairs they’ll get.
Conclusion
Older people are prone to experiencing limited mobility. This is mainly due to their weakening body due to age. They can easily get tired walking and moving around, which makes having a wheelchair useful. Luckily, there are now lightweight manual wheelchairs. They're designed for comfort and convenience. They're the perfect choice for the elderly!
Take a look at some quality options with our massive wheelchair collection. We offer all kinds of wheelchairs with amazing features and from high-quality brands!