Wheelchair Accessories

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.