People with walking difficulties who can no longer stand and walk upright are available as an aid wheelchair to disposal. A wheelchair enables a handicapped person to have a better quality of life, since mobility can be maintained or regained. There are many different types and shapes of wheelchairs, adapted to the particular purpose and needs of the user. However, the basic structure of all wheelchairs is the same.
What is a wheelchair?
A wheelchair enables a disabled person to maintain their mobility. However, it is not a therapeutic device. A wheelchair is an aid for locomotion, transport and, if necessary, for active projects of the user concerned.
A wheelchair is an ergonomically shaped chair with two large, side wheels and two small support wheels in the front.Since every person is different, a wheelchair should always be individually and professionally adapted. The right wheelchair model should be selected according to personal needs and range of use.
Depending on the personal possibilities of the user, the wheelchair can either be driven manually or by an integrated electric motor (electric wheelchair). In the basic version, there are two handles on the back of the wheelchair that make it easier to push. Furthermore, a wheelchair is provided with footrests so that the user can support his feet there.
Shapes, types & types
Wheelchairs have been around for several centuries. In 1869 the first patent was issued for a wheelchair in the USA. Wheelchairs differ according to the type of frame, type of drive and specific uses.
There are wheelchair frames that can be folded accordingly. The frame is then equipped with a foldable cross brace. In terms of construction, the backrest and the seat are made of a flexible fabric material or the seat surface is rigid and removable. Folding wheelchairs are easier to transport, but are significantly heavier and have less good handling characteristics than wheelchairs with a rigid frame. With a rigid frame, the wheelchair is more difficult to transport, but has less weight and better handling characteristics.
There are push wheelchairs that are only suitable for transporting a passive patient. Push rim wheelchairs are more common. They can be moved by hand drive of the user. With a triple wheelchair, movement is possible by tripping your feet. The active wheelchairs also include wheelchairs with one-handed operation. With them, you can drive yourself with just one hand. The hand-lever wheelchairs, which work by means of a lever drive, are less common.
If the functionality of the arms and hands is restricted, a wheelchair with an electric motor drive can support mobility. In addition to the standard wheelchair, there are also particularly light models. There are also wheelchairs for sporting activities or special shower wheelchairs for personal hygiene. For special needs, there are also care wheelchairs that enable particularly safe or semi-recumbent sitting.
Structure & functionality
The function of a wheelchair is to transport a person. It is an aid that should support the residual mobility of people with disabilities as much as possible. The chassis and seat unit must be selected based on the individual needs of the user.
A wheelchair consists of the following components: a back belt and a seat belt, the push handles and the side panels. A wheelchair also has a brake lever or a pressure brake, two large drive wheels and two smaller steering wheels. If a hand drive is provided, there may be hand rims on the drive wheels.
The components of a wheelchair also include a foot plate, actuating lever for the leg support lock, cross brace, wheel adapter, control head and the wheelchair frame.
Wheelchairs can be moved manually with a hand drive. To do this, the wheelchair user uses the push rims that are placed on the drive wheels. Compared to a standard wheelchair, a lightweight wheelchair has the advantage of having more setting options and different equipment features. It is lighter and the seat height is adjustable.
There are also wheelchairs with extended functions and special models. They can usually be adjusted in the back angle by means of a gas pressure spring. Often these are purely sliding wheelchairs, as they are significantly heavier due to the various components. Furthermore, they are more likely to be used for wheelchair users with multiple disabilities. These special wheelchairs are designed to facilitate patient care.
The electric wheelchairs (also known as e-wheelchairs) are equipped with a motor that moves the large wheels directly. They also have a control in the hand or head area that enables users to navigate.
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A wheelchair is often an essential aid for people with walking difficulties, as their mobility is secured and a corresponding movement is made possible in the first place. There are now wheelchairs for a wide range of uses, including sports wheelchairs, racing wheelchairs, shower wheelchairs and beach wheelchairs.
Each of these types of wheelchairs enable the wheelchair user to participate in life as actively as possible. The wheelchair thus prevents the dangerous isolation of the handicapped person and therefore plays an extremely important role in maintaining mental health.
The wheelchair can also have therapeutic benefits if it is used temporarily as an aid until a patient's ability to walk can be restored. However, wheelchairs are predominantly used by people who are permanently disabled.
In order to move actively with a hand-operated wheelchair, a wheelchair user has to use around twice as much force as a cyclist. In many cases, this movement and the effort required is beneficial to the health of the user.
