One of the most important mobility aids available to people having difficulty walking is the wheelchair. As we get older, we develop many health issues that are just a natural part of the aging process. Many older people who notice that they are having some difficulty walking and getting around will first opt for a cane to use for support. As the legs get weaker, it may be necessary to use a walker to get around. The next step for people who can no longer walk more than a few steps but still want and need the ability to move about both inside and outside the home is probably a wheelchair.
While it used to be somewhat of a stigma being forced to get around in a wheelchair, with an aging population and more and more people losing mobility, wheelchairs are becoming a common sight.
An ingenious design that began more than 100 years ago, the wheelchair has developed from a simple wooden chair with wheels to a most sophisticated piece of medical equipment. Wheelchairs come in different widths and sizes and usually have leg rests that can be detached when not needed. The basics for a good wheelchair include a comfortable seat; smooth-rolling, large rubber wheels; and simple steering and brakes. Brakes are important because they lock the wheelchair in place when the user is transferring out of or getting into the chair, or when he or she wants to remain in place.
There are the traditional manual chairs, which require the user to spin the wheels in order to propel forward or back, and then there are power chairs, which allow complete control by the manipulation of a control panel (usually a joystick). Power chairs are much more expensive than traditional wheelchairs, but they also make it much easier for an individual to move about.
Many people only need a wheelchair for a short period of time. They may be recovering from an injury or may decide to move ahead to an electric scooter for their mobility needs. You will find used wheelchairs at many thrift shops that sell for well below the cost of a new wheelchair. Others choose to donate their used chairs to organizations that provide them to those who need wheelchairs but can't afford them. If you have an old but still working wheelchair, make sure it finds its way into the hands of someone who needs it.