Your Guide To The Wheels you Need

The need for a wheelchair arises either due to growing age or to prevent temporary disability or to assist a permanent disability factor. If this is your first time you are looking for a new wheelchair or if planning to upgrade the current version of your wheelchair, the process of finding an appropriate one will be a bit overwhelming to know where to start your search. Considering the fact that there is a wide range of wheelchairs, because different users have different preferences and there is a wide range of disabilities, each wheel chair comes with their own pros and cons.

Here is the quick guide to make your buying decision easier:

The Basic Wheels 

These wheelchairs are the most basic version, which can be used by the user himself or an attendant my assist him. People with good muscular strength find this wheelchair as the best solution. It can be termed as most durable wheelchair that includes leg and foot rests. It sometimes comes with a version that offers elevating leg rests and either desk-length or fill-length arms. They are portable and easily foldable, ideal for those who travel often. The seat width ranges from 16 – 20 inches.

Wheels that don’t Feel

Lightweight wheelchairs are much less demanding to move than the more heavyweight basic traditional wheelchairs you might have come across. These seats are foldable and made with a material that is lighter, which allows you to effortlessly perform routine chores.

The Every Day Wheels

Made with steel frame these standard wheelchairs are durable and strong, offers different features such as permanent arms or removable arms, elevating leg rests, detachable footrests, variable seat widths, full or desk length arms.

Wheels that Recline

Recliner Wheelchairs are made to assist in severe hip extension contractures, pressure re-distribution for prevention of skin breakdown and orthostatic hypotension. These seats are best utilized alongside raising leg rests, which will permit the client to reposition their legs and feet too.

Wheels that Help

Designed specifically for an attendant or a companion to push, this version is actually meant others to help one rather than the user himself. Small-sized wheels make it impossible for the user to use it independently; it can only be used with the support of a companion. They are light-weight and compact in size.  Ideal for those who don’t use wheelchair often but need assistance during strenuous activities.

The Modern Wheels

Motorized or electric wheelchairs are quite often loaded with electronic control frameworks to help in controlling and speed. People with weak health conditions, critical breathing and heart conditions, and in permanent state of disability or any state that makes it impossible for them move a manual wheelchair are greatly benefitted with electric wheel chairs. In other words, these wheelchairs are suitable for any individual lacks the ability or strength to cope with a manual chair. There are power wheelchairs made particularly for indoor and open air utilized and some intended to be utilized for both.

There is a wide range of wheelchairs catering to different need of users. To determine a perfect fit to cater your need a thorough research prior is necessary. Get opinion from your doctors, wheelchair users in your circle to assure yourself that whichever version you will opt for, shall meet your needs. If you are fully dependent on a wheelchair, it is essential to find the right option.

How to Choose the Best Wheelchair

A wheelchair is a supportive aid to mobilize a patient who is unable to move without support. It is an essential requirement in any hospital, laboratory, an airport, a railway station in fact every public place should be invariably equipped with a wheelchair. Individuals, who are ill and need support for moving, need it for personal use, in their homes as well. Therefore, it is very important to have a complete guide about how to choose the appropriate wheel chair as per the need of the patient.



Wheelchairs are of different types depending upon the weight, size, age and condition of the patient. However, primarily there are three types of wheel chair according to the need of the patient.

• Wheelchair that is self propelled i.e. the patient himself or herself controls the movement of the wheelchair
• Wheelchair that is steered by an attendant
• Wheelchair that is electrically powered and is used for pavements and for road use.

Points to Ponder While Choosing a Wheel Chair

• Whether the wheel chair is required for short term use or is permanently required
• Whether the wheel chair is to be used by the patient himself or herself or is going to be used with the assistance of an attendant  
• Whether the need of the wheel chair is for outdoor use or indoor use
• Whether the wheel chair needs to be carried in and out of the car boot
• Whether the wheel chair is for a disabled person, a child , or an old age person
• The weight and size of the body frame of the person for whom the wheel chair is needed

Once, you have the above points in mind, you can choose from the different types of wheel chairs available in the market.

Different Types of Wheel Chairs

• Standard Wheelchair - A Standard wheel chair has a seat width of 18” and a depth of 16”
• Narrow Wheelchair - Narrow wheel chair have a width less than 18’’ and are meant for people with thin body frame
• Wide Wheelchair - Many wheel chairs have a width with seats width up to 24” meant for people with large body frames
• Reclining Wheelchair - A reclining wheel chair gives the patient the options to convert it into reclining comfort position
• Transport Wheelchair - These wheel chairs cannot be self propelled and need the assistance of an attendant for its use
• Heavy Duty Wheelchair - This type of wheel chair is required for people who exceed the normal weight limit of standard wheel chairs
• Pediatric Wheelchair - Children and people with small body frames and light weight require this type of wheel chair
• Hemi Wheelchair - Hemi Wheel Chairs have a lower seat to floor height than standard wheel chairs

Tips that Will Help You Choose the Right Wheel Chair

• If you are going for a manual wheel chair there is either a standard or an active- user type wheel chair
• A standard wheel chair cannot be modified  whereas an active-user wheel chair can be adapted and adjusted according to the requirement of the patient
• Larger rear wheels make the wheelchair easier to maneuver
• Lightweight wheel chairs that can be folded and adjusted and put in the rear seat of the car are good for patients who travel outdoors
• Look out for wheels positioned further forward on an adjustable axle which makes the wheel chair easier to move and with less efforts
• The position of the foot, the arm rest and the size of the chair should all be well evaluated before choosing the right wheel chair
• It is very important to read the instructions given with the wheel chair to be cautious about the safety of the patient
• For disabled people the wheel chair should be purchased as per the condition of the patient
• The weight of the wheel chair and the flexibility of it should also be kept in mind while purchasing it
• Before finalizing the specific type of wheel chair, make sure that you take it around the house or road to see whether this is the right wheel chair required for your patient

When buying the wheel chair you should be aware of the best price available with the required features of the wheel chair. We recommend GPC Medical wheel chairs that are not only tested and tried by a large number of patients, hospitals, and community centers but also give you good after sales service and the best price.