Accessories for wheelchairs allow wheelchair-bound patients more freedom by giving them a way to carry things with them when they travel more comfortably. Custom wheelchair accessories can include special backpacks, clothes protectors, cane holders, and and oxygen tank clamps, all of which are beneficial to patient mobility. Nurses and home health aides should learn about power and manual wheelchair accessories and how to use them safely.

Assisting patients with using power wheelchair accessories can include fitting the accessories on the wheelchair and making sure clients use them correctly. Nurses and health care workers need to know about the many kinds of wheelchair accessories and how they're used. Wheelchair accessories education and training should include:

1. Learning how to install and use motorized wheelchair accessories.

2. Determining how electric wheelchair accessories enhance the chair.

3. Finding out about new power wheelchair accessory technology.

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Get training to use a manual wheelchair accessory correctly

Wheelchair accessories improve the mobility and safety of wheelchair-bound patients by allowing them to safely transport necessary items like canes and oxygen tanks while keeping their hands free. Nurses and therapists need to learn which manual or motorized wheelchair accessory options will benefit patients and how they're used.

I recommend: Wheelchair University offers an informative online slide show focused on mobility technology and wheelchair accessories like specialty cushions and tie-downs. The Methodist Rehabilitation Center offers training courses for nurses in wheelchair seating and specialty accessories.

Find wheelchair accessories training online

Wheelchairs and wheelchair accessories are used in hospitals and nursing homes as well as by home health aides in private residences. Continuing education courses for health care providers will help you learn about each type of accessory for wheelchairs. Learn about wheelchair accessories to be able to use them in your facilities. Many courses also offer continuing education credits for nurses and doctors.

I recommend: The American Association of Managed Care Nurses provides training courses to learn to use wheelchairs and manual or power wheelchair accessories. The site also lists resources for vendors selling wheelchair accessories and training guides. Wheelchair Gear provides easy instructions for attaching a wheelchair bag or backpack to a manual or electric wheelchair. Learn to attach these commonly used wheelchair accessories.

Learn about new trends and technology in wheelchair accessories

Wheelchair accessories are adapted and updated as new models of manual and power wheelchairs are developed. New wheelchairs accessory technology can keep patients safer and more comfortable. Learn about new innovations and trends by attending industry expos and conferences, which usually feature wheelchair accessory vendors as well as training seminars.

I recommend: Attend the annual Canadian Seating and Mobility Conference, which features workshops and seminars about mobility related issues and equipment like wheelchair accessories. The International Seating Symposium offers workshops about mobility technology, including electric wheelchair accessories.

Wheelchair accessories offer convenience, security, and independence for those who need a wheelchair to get around. By offering accessories to your patients or residents, you can assist your patients with a wider range of needs while feeling good about offering them the security they need without limiting their movement.

Wheelchair accessories come in a large variety of wheelchairs and features, including electric wheelchair accessory, folding power wheelchair extras, manual wheelchair accessory, and custom wheelchair accessories. When determining the right wheelchair accessories for your assisted living or medical rental business, you should:

1. Survey your clients and patients to learn what accessories they would find most useful.

2. Purchase wheelchair accessories meeting your identified specifications from reputable manufacturers and distributors.

3. Look for expansive warranties, solid return policies and flexible financing options when purchasing wheelchair accessories for your operation.

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Decide on the accessories for wheelchairs you use at your facility or that you rent out

There's a wide assortment of wheelchair accessories available including baskets or bags (for carrying items, such as groceries), heel steps (for legs and foot stability) and armrests (for comfort). You should have a variety of wheelchair accessories for the chairs you offer your patients and residents. Many accessories are interchangeable, allowing you to customize the chair to the patient.

I recommend: Join the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) to talk with other members and ask about wheelchair accessories they offer and the honest truth about quality, price and ease of use. Also, consider talking with a medical professional about the types of wheelchair accessories that are best for the needs of patients and residents. Whirlwind Wheelchairs offers an extensive guide for matching the patients specific needs to the perfect wheelchair and likewise, the accessories to the wheelchair.

Purchase wheelchair accessories from reputable, proven manufacturers and distributors

When looking for a reputable company that manufacturers or distributes wheelchair accessories, find a company that has been in business a long time, keeps up with the wheelchair accessory technology and industry and has great references.

I recommend: Convaid, Inc. carries a large supply of adult and pediatric portable wheelchairs and strollers. They offer such features as removable fabric (for easy cleaning) and outdoor tires. Colours Wheelchair manufactures sport wheelchairs designed for rugged outdoor use. These are generally custom made for athletes, but they also offer a selection of everyday and children's chairs. Also, check out their extensive accessories area.

Look for favorable warranties and financing from suppliers of wheelchair accessories

When you find the wheelchair accessories you want, it's time to take a look at the pricing, warranties and policies. You want a company that covers damage, repairs and offers the parts needed for the repair. You also want a test period during which you can return a wheelchair accessory that is not going to work for your resident or customer. Remember, electric wheelchair accessories are necessary for the optimal wheelchair usage. Since you will likely need many of them, you might need financing.

I recommend: Drive Medical Design & Manufacturing offers a large variety of manual wheelchair accessories and is offered through a variety of dealers, so you may be able to find a local representative, saving on time and shipping costs. Hoveround is one of the most well-known names in power wheelchairs and offers many financing options as well as a representative to come out and show you how the power wheelchair accessories work. They also offer an extensive warranty and in-house service center.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider having a representative from the suppliers of wheelchair accessories train your staff and patients on how to properly use the accessories for wheelchairs.

When it comes to buying accessoriesfor wheelchairs, there are a lot of different items and parts for optimizing these transport chair solutions. New electric wheelchairs have their own sets of control options and features, as well as storage, carrying and handling accessories for adding comfort and functionality. Learning about some of the basic terms for accessories helps users or others make informed buying decisions. Take a look at some of the general kinds of wheelchair accessories on the market to make a business decision about outfitting chair types, whether powered or manual.

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Power wheelchair accessories

There are a number of high-tech accessories for power wheelchairs, including electronic control parts, voice-control systems and laptop computer features. These kinds of accessories represent how wheelchair use is adapting to a computerized century.

I recommend: Read up on some general high-tech power wheelchair devices and find out which type of powered chair fits your purchasing needs at this Electric Wheelchair Future Technology page.

Wheelchair cooling pad

The wheelchair cooling pad or cushion is for those who spend a long time confined to a chair. These solutions help provide comfort for a chair.

I recommend: Find out more about wheelchair cooling pads and cushions at Wheelchair Connections.

Wheelchair bags and baskets

The kind of accessories known as wheelchair bags and baskets provide the container solutions for those who want to carry any supplies or equipment on their chair.

I recommend: Get Q&A on wheelchair bags and baskets from the Wheelchair Site.

Oxygen tanks clamps and holders

These neat solutions, including clamps and vinyl mesh items, are perfect for helping to keep oxygen tanks connected to a wheelchair.

I recommend: Get a visual on oxygen tank holder models at Mobility Aids.

Foot rests and leg rests

Accessories such as foot rests and leg rests come in various shapes and sizes. These help wheelchair users to adjust their bodies to the requirements of the chair for safe and convenient transport.

I recommend: Find out more about the general "specs" for foot rests and leg rests at Wheelchair Medical Information and Resources.

Tie-downs

Another choice accessory for a wheelchair is a set of tie-downs for portability. Tie-downs help users and others deal with wheelchair storage when the chair is not in use.

I recommend: Learn more about wheelchair tie-downs at Assistive Tech.

If your facility or business provides wheelchairs for your clients, you may also need to consider the purchase of wheelchair accessories to improve the comfort, function and safety of manual and electric wheelchairs. Manual wheelchair accessories can include wheelchair trays, arm rests, elevating foot rests, extended brakes and anti-tip devices. Electric wheelchair accessories also offer similar equipment as well as wheelchair batteries and chargers.

Similar accessories for wheelchairs vary in function and price. Simple bags to hang on the back of wheelchairs can range from $15 to $60 while wheelchair cushions can range in price from $40 to $350 depending on the materials used. When evaluating wheelchair accessories pricing and costs, consider the following:

1. Wheelchair accessories that can improve comfort

2. Wheelchair accessories that can enhance function

3. Wheelchair accessories that can increase safety

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Look for wheelchair accessories that can improve comfort

In order to maximize comfort and positioning in wheelchairs, wheelchair accessories such as seat and back cushions can be purchased. Wheelchair seat and back cushions can be made of various materials to suit various needs. As most users will be sitting in wheelchairs for long periods of time, a comfortable seat can be a very important wheelchair accessory.

I recommend: At the Wheelchair Depot, air cushions for wheelchairs range in price from $215 to $350. Edmund Wheelchair Repair and Supply offers wheelchair back cushions starting from about $55 all the way up to $650.

Consider power wheelchair accessories for maximizing the function of your power wheelchair

A battery charger or an additional battery can be a good power wheelchair accessory as it can allow the power wheelchair to run more efficiently. While most power wheelchairs come with a battery and battery charger, having extras provides flexibility through an additional place to charge the battery as well as a back-up battery to help users get the most out of their wheelchair.

I recommend: 1800wheelchair.com offers wheelchair batteries ranging in price from $115 to $435. Spinlife.com has a selection of wheelchair batteries that start around $120 and go up to $400.

Find manual wheelchair accessories that increase wheelchair safety

A manual wheelchair accessory such as wheel-lock extensions can allow the user to access the wheelchair brakes easily for safe transfers in and out of the chair. Anti-tippers prevent manual wheelchairs from tipping over when maneuvering over obstacles.

I recommend: Wheel lock extensions at MobilityDirect.com range in price from $5 to $10 for one individual extension; scroll down the page to view. Anti-tippers found at EveryDay Medical start at $45-50 for a pair up to $60-65.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Check with suppliers of wheelchair accessories to see whether they offer volume discounts for businesses. Some offer 5% to 10% off for orders of 5 or more or 10 or more of the same item.