Buyers Guide to Wheelchairs
A step-by-step guide to choosing the right wheelchair for you
Mobility devices, including wheelchairs, are an essential part of daily life for people with a mobility impairment. A wheelchair can improve access to everyday services and also greatly enhance the quality of life.
There are a few things to consider before buying a wheelchair for yourself or a loved one. In this guide, we’ve outlined the different types of wheelchairs available along with the major benefits to help you find the right wheelchair for you.
Types of Wheelchairs
The different types of wheelchairs can be broadly separated into manual wheelchairs and motorised wheelchairs. Manual wheelchairs need to be propelled or pushed by the user or a carer. As the name suggests, motorised wheelchairs have a motor and rechargeable battery and are moved using a hand control on the armrest, requiring only minimal effort from the user.
When it comes to manual wheelchairs, there are both self-propelled and transit models.
Self-propelled wheelchairs allow you to push yourself using the hand rim on the large rear wheels. These wheelchairs generally also come with a rear handle for a carer to push when appropriate.
Transit or folding wheelchairs have smaller rear wheels and can only be pushed by a carer. These models are generally lighter in weight and can be folded to fit in the boot of a car.
Is a wheelchair right for you?
A wheelchair offers increased freedom for people experiencing limited mobility as a result of disability or a health issue, whether short-term or more permanent. While there are obvious benefits to using a wheelchair, whether one is right for you ultimately comes down to a personal or family decision.
Most wheelchairs are designed to maneuver in small, tight spaces making them suitable for use at home. More robust wheelchairs are designed to be taken outside and can even be used on difficult terrain, like pavements and slopes.
A wheelchair can be used in conjunction with other mobility aids or forms of transport. Folding wheelchairs, for example, are lightweight and will fit in the boot of the car making them suitable for use when travelling or when a larger mobility aid might be too cumbersome.
Wheelchairs can also provide temporary assistance when you’re recovering from an injury or operation. This allows you to continue to maintain your independence while avoiding fatigue or a delay in recovery caused by too much physical activity.
What to consider
When buying a wheelchair for a family member it is important to think about whether they’ll need additional assistance to get around. For example, someone with limited mobility or dementia may not be able to move around at all without assistance, in which case a transit wheelchair may be the most appropriate option.
If you’d like a wheelchair in order to gain more freedom or to alleviate symptoms associated with walking, then a self-propelled wheelchair may be suitable. However, these still require some upper body strength in order to move and they can be harder to control on slopes and rough terrain.
A motorised wheelchair, which is operated by a hand control, often provides the best combination of convenience and ease of use. Designed to fit into the same space as a manual wheelchair, a motorised wheelchair can be used indoors and outdoors by people with varying levels of strength and dexterity. They allow you to navigate ramps and slopes without experiencing fatigue and the comfortable seat means you can use it for hours without discomfort.
Something else to consider when choosing a wheelchair is how you’ll use it. Will you use it only infrequently or as an adjunct to other mobility aids?
Will you use it around the house as well as outside and need to navigate small slopes and ramps? Do you have the upper body strength to propel a manual wheelchair?
If you have a carer to help you get around, will they be able to push you in the wheelchair, taking into account the weight of the chair as well as any slopes you may need to go up and down?
Wheelchair models
Once you’ve considered how and where you’ll use your wheelchair, let’s take a look at the different types available.
Travel Wheelchair
Lightweight and able to be folded up, a travel or transit wheelchair is an ideal option for people who need to use a wheelchair 
infrequently or for only short periods of time. These wheelchairs have an ultralight frame and small wheels, making them easy to lift and fold into the boot of a standard car.
A travel wheelchair also makes a good second wheelchair for those times when your standard wheelchair or mobility aid isn’t convenient. For example, when you’re going on holiday you may arrange to hire a motorised wheelchair or mobility scooter on arrival, so you only need a small wheelchair in transit. As these wheelchairs require a carer to push them, they aren’t suitable for people who want to be able to propel themselves.
Features to look for
- Lightweight frame for easy lifting
- Simple to fold for transport
- Small size to allow maneuverability around the home
- Height adjustable to suit different users
- Comfortable handles for carer to push
Self-propelled wheelchairs
A self-propelled wheelchair provides both independence and flexibility. These wheelchairs can be propelled by the user or can be pushed with the assistance of a carer.
This is an ideal option for someone who wants to be able move around without assistance at home, while gaining the features of a transit wheelchair, including being lightweight and easy to take when travelling.
Features to look for
- Lightweight yet sturdy frame
- Adjustable height, frame, wheels and backrest
- Adjustable handles for carer comfort when pushing
- Removable armrests and sides to make getting in and out of the chair easier
Motorised wheelchairs
Motorised wheelchairs reach a maximum speed of around 5km hour, allowing you to engage in activities at walking speed. They take up less space than a mo
bility scooter and are more maneuverable, making them more suited to use indoors.
Features to look out for
- Padded seat and backrest for comfort
- Adjustable padded arm and headrests
- Compact design for use indoors
- Ability to disassemble for travelling and transpor
- maneuverable, making them more suited to use indoors.
Complex wheelchair solutions
For people with more complex mobility challenges, an individualised wheelchair solution is preferable.
Complex wheelchair users often have significant mobility issues as a result of traumatic injury, neuromuscular diseases or birth disorders. For these people, the ability to completely tailor their wheelchair to suit their needs and requirements provides the optimum level of comfort and independence.
Aidacare, the parent company of MobilityHQ, provides specialised advice, service and equipment for complex wheelchair users. They have access to the leading industry brands and models, sourced from the best international providers.
Their team of consultants include qualified physiotherapists, occupational therapists, rehab engineers and field technicians. Using their years of experience and training, they identify the ideal combination of wheelchair frame and accessories to provide the best seating and positioning for the user.
To find out more about the complex wheelchair solutions, contact Aidacare on 1300 133 120 or visit the Aidacare website.
Using your wheelchair
When you first get your wheelchair home, take some time to make the necessary adjustments for comfort and fit. This might include raising or lowering the height of the seat, adjusting the angle of the wheels and moving the feet plate. Ensure you know where the brakes are and how to apply them. And practice getting in and out of the wheelchair, with or without assistance.
If you’re using a motorised wheelchair, familiarise yourself with the controls and practice moving forward, turning and reversing on a clear, flat surface.
Consider where you’ll store your wheelchair when it’s not being used. If you have a motorised wheelchair, you’ll need to have handy access to a powerpoint so you can charge it between uses.
It’s important you have insurance to protect against damage, theft and loss. Your current home and contents policy may cover you – although not all policies will extend to use outside of the house and some providers will require an additional premium. Otherwise, shop around for separate wheelchair insurance. Make sure your policy covers theft and damage to your wheelchair, as well as damage to other people or property.
Your wheelchair should be serviced regularly. Motorised wheelchairs should be serviced annually, while manual wheelchairs should be serviced in line with use. Aidacare offer wheelchair servicing and repairs – contact 1300 133 120 to find your local service centre.
Accessories
Consider whether you’ll need to install any aids around the house so ensure you’re able to use your wheelchair safely and easily indoors and outside.
Small ramps allow you to navigate doorsteps and small steps within your house. Look for ramps with a rubber or textured surface to help prevent slips or slides.
Portable ramps will allow you to take them with you when necessary, such as on holiday
Charging your motorised wheelchair
To get the most out of your electric wheelchair it’s important to fully charge the batteries between use, and especially before heading outside.
- Turn the wheelchair power switch to the OFF position
- Plug the charger into the charging port and then connect the cord to a power outlet
- The red/orange LED light indicates that the wheelchair is charging
- A green light will appear when the wheelchair’s battery is fully charged
- Once charged, disconnect the charger from the charging port and then from the power outlet
It will take approximately 8-10 hours to fully charge the motorised wheelchair battery – charge it overnight so it’s ready for you to use the next day. You should also recharge the battery once a week if the wheelchair is being kept in storage.
Getting Around
Before using your wheelchair, check the tires are inflated and everything is secure. Make any adjustments to the footrest or arm rests to ensure a safe and comfortable journey. If you’re using a motorised wheelchair, check the battery is fully charged.
Ensure you don’t overload the wheelchair with bags that could cause it to tip. If you’re going to be travelling on hills or slopes, consider adding a sash belt to avoid falling forward.
Finally, plan your route and know where you’re going. If you’ll be taking public transport, check what accessible services are available. If you can, avoid busy roads and narrow pavements and cross the road at marked pedestrian crossings.
If you’re using a motorised wheelchair and plan to head outdoors often, consider breakdown coverage, which you can get from your state breakdown service for a nominal fee. This service provides call out assistance if you breakdown and often includes emergency taxi transport for you and your wheelchair if things go wrong.
Generally you won’t need to register your motorised wheelchair. The exception is Queensland, where you will need to register with the Department of Transport and Main Roads if you’ll be using it outside. Registration is free and includes third party insurance.
It is recommended you check the regulations in your state regarding the use of motorised wheelchairs as they may have changed.
Public transport and wheelchairs
The majority of public transport services are wheelchair accessible and both manual and motorised wheelchairs can be taken on board. If you need to travel with a companion or carer at all times, the Companion Card scheme – operated under each state and territory – allows your carer to travel for free on public transport.
When travelling by train, position yourself at the front of the platform where the first carriage will stop and make sure you’re visible to the driver. They will lower a ramp for you to get on, then ask which station you’re travelling to so they can help you disembark.
If travelling by bus or tram, see if your route offers accessible services. Sometimes the operator will add an accessible service if you request it in advance – so it doesn’t hurt to check.
Wait at the tram or bus stop where you are visible. The driver will extend a ramp to help you get from the kerb onto the bus or tram. When it comes time to disembark, they’ll extend the ramp for you again.
While restrictions vary between states and transport, generally all mobility aids including motorised wheelchairs should:
- fit within a space of 1300mm (length) by 800mm (width)
- be no more than 750mm wide
- have a maximum height of 1500mm
