Transport wheelchairs are a lightweight, portable mobility solution for people with limited mobility or stability due to age, injury or disability. Nurses, home care aides, physical therapists and vendors selling transport wheelchairs for sale all need to know about transport chairs to better function in their respective industries.

It's important to learn how to correctly use and maintain a lightweight transport wheelchair. It will also benefit nurses and health care workers to know how to trouble shoot problems with a transport wheel chair and be informed about related news and trends. Transport wheelchairs education and training should include:

1. Learning to properly use a transport wheelchair.

2. Discovering how to fix and troubleshoot compact transport wheelchair problems.

3. Becoming knowledgeable about transport wheelchair innovations and technology.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Gather sources for proper transport wheelchair operation training

Using a lightweight transport chair is pretty simple, but it's important to know how to properly operate one in order to keep both the person in the chair and the person operating it safe. Learn how to maneuver, steer, and brake a transport chair correctly.

I recommend: The Med Supply Guide offers a guide to transport wheelchairs that will help you learn the difference between manual and electric chairs. Mobility Advisor provides information on using both manual and power transport wheelchairs safely and correctly.

Find training for troubleshooting transport wheelchairs

Problems can occur with transport wheelchairs as with any other medical equipment. These can include sticking wheels, loose bolts or hard brakes. It's important for health care industry workers to learn how to trouble shoot problems with transport travel wheelchairs. Learn basic maintenance and cleaning tips for folding transport wheelchairs and how to deal with potential operating problems.

I recommend: Spinlife offers a great resource for learning basic maintenance for manual and electric transport wheelchairs. The Wheelchair Info Source provides basic maintenance and repair tips, along with suggestions on when is the right time to seek some professional repair help.

Attend industry events to learn about new technology and trends for transport wheelchairs

There are new models of regular and heavy duty transport wheelchairs being introduced regularly, along with new technology to make them safer and easier to use. It's important as a member of the health care industry to stay informed about the news and trends related to transport wheelchairs.

I recommend: Attend the Canadian Seating and Mobility Conference. The annual conference addresses news and innovations in the world of mobility. You can also attend a seminar offered by PDG Mobility Technologies that focuses on mobility equipment like transport wheelchairs and allows you to continue your education.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Earn continued education credits as a nurse or doctor by attending approved seminars that include education about transport wheelchairs and their use.

As a business owner, you may want to have a lightweight transport chair available for customers especially if you have patrons who would be assisted by using one. Doctors' offices and other businesses that assist older and mobility-impaired clients on a regular basis could also benefit from having a wheelchair on hand. You also may have to advise patients or help them locate a wheelchair for their own at-home needs.

You'll want to consider the patient's weight, width and how they will use their folding transport wheelchairs to determine the best model. The client's physical limitations will also affect what type of wheelchair he or she will need.

Consider the following transport wheelchair information:

1. If you visit transport wheelchair stores, make sure you're dealing with an educated and qualified dealer. Wheelchairs are highly specialized and require much input to match a chair to the user.

2. Make sure to factor in maintenance costs or accessories that may be added when looking at the purchase price.

3. Although some insurance plans will pay for transport travel wheelchairs, most will only pay if it is deemed medically necessary.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find a lightweight transport wheelchair

Transport wheelchairs are especially designed for easy storage and fitting in a vehicle truck. They also have folding mechanisms and are light weight for easier use. It is the ideal model for caregivers to take their loved one shopping or for other errands.

I recommend: PHC and Associates offers a number of transport chairs that are lightweight and easily transportable. Check out reviews and specifications for transport chairs provided by Dynamic Living.

Consider power transport wheelchairs

A transportable motorized wheelchair can be an obvious option for users to gain independent mobility. Lightweight chairs have become more and more popular but a motor and battery will also mean it will weigh more than a manual chair.

I recommend: U.S. Medical Supplies offers a number of power chairs. Compare weights, turning radius, speed and other functions. Browse power folding wheelchairs at SpinLife.com.

Buy used transport wheelchairs

Wheelchairs are individually made and usually not suitable for re-sale. However, some users have gone to looking into this method to cut costs. Keep in mind that you'll need to ensure the weight and size of the patient is within the capacities of the used chair. Also keep in mind that chair warranties are non-transferable.

I recommend: Choose from used or new models of transport wheelchairs from World Wide Wheelchairs & Used Medical Equipment. Check out the used chair inventory at Used-Wheelchairs-USA.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When looking at the price for a compact transport wheelchair, decipher which features are included in the price and which are extra. The manufacturer should provide a price list indicating which options are standard and which are custom modifications.

Transport wheelchairs are a necessity for disabled people who want to have a mobile life style. These chairs are portable, lightweight and transport easily. Learning the key terms regarding how to use these types of mobile chairs correctly will benefit not only the disabled person, but the health-care workers and family involved in the overall care and transport of these people. It will also aid in troubleshooting any issues related to their use.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Folding transport wheelchairs

Folding wheelchairs have collapsible frames and detachable leg rests. These are very easily stored or taken when traveling. These types of wheelchairs can be made from titanium or other lightweight materials to make storage and use easy.

I recommend: Additional information on folding types of wheelchairs and the benefits of using them is available at The Wheelchair Site.

Self-propelled wheelchairs

Manual types of wheelchairs known as self-propelled wheelchairs are used with the help of upper limbs and hands by the person utilizing them or by the person's caregiver.

I recommend: The Wheelchair Guide has extensive information about manual self-propelled wheelchairs, as well as attendant-propelled wheelchairs.

Electric wheelchairs

Many electric wheelchairs come with a motor and battery to move the chair. These are heavier than wheelchairs that are manual and easily maneuvered. Electric wheelchairs may come with transfer seats to make moving in and out of them an easy process and can be taken along on while traveling.

I recommend: Electric wheelchairs are fast becoming a necessity for those who need to conserve energy while remaining mobile. Access wheelchair-guide.com to see complete information on electric wheelchairs and their accessories.

Mobility scooter

Portable mobility scooters are a good choice for people who need to use a a scooter regularly. They can be folded up easily for transport and are great shopping and use around the home.They can be assembled and disassembled without tools.

I recommend: Mobility scooters are ideal for those on the go. Their easy use helps those who are mildly disabled maintain a normal lifestyle. Information can be found at Help My Mobility.

Lightweight wheelchairs

Lightweight wheelchairs are usually made from light metals, such as aluminum, making them not only durable and strong but easy to use and light. The ultra-lightweight frame is great for traveling and in most cases is foldable for easy storage.

I recommend: The many benefits of ultra-lightweight wheelchairs are explained at Quick Find Wheelchairs. Models of wheelchairs are shown as well.

Portable wheelchair ramps

Wheelchair ramps are designed to be assembled easily, provide access to people who utilize wheelchairs, and come in many styles. When considering ramps, it is important to find those that are consistent with ADA regulations, as well as specialized for the use intended. They can travel with the users and are light enough to be stored easily.

I recommend: Handi-Ramp is a producer of all types of ramps. In order to help customers be compliant with ADA regulations, it has specialists to help with a buyer's decision.

If you’re looking for transport chairs for your customers to use while they shop in your business, you should have a good understanding of the basic transport wheelchairs types and styles. If you want to stock power transport wheelchairs and other transport wheelchairs for sale in your establishment, it helps to know what the various styles and models can and cannot do.

Typically as you look for a transport wheel chair, whether for your use or to sell, you need to consider a variety of factors before you make your final choice. You should consider:

1. The type of frame you want: standard, heavy duty or lightweight.

2. The weight of the wheelchair. Look for transport chairs that are easy to fold and load into vehicles.

3. The weight of the person using the chair. Heavy duty chairs are going to weigh more because of the extra structural support built into them.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Pick a lightweight transport wheelchair

A lightweight transport wheelchair not only weighs less, it's also more compact. This makes it easier for a caregiver to push and lift the wheelchair patient into a vehicle. You can expect this type of compact transport wheelchair to cost more. It is possible to find lightweight wheelchairs with numerous options available.

I recommend: WholesaleWheelchair.com offers lightweight transport wheelchairs for sale. It carries transport wheelchairs with removable arms as well as a variety of other options. There is a large selection of lightweight transport chair options at EveryDay Medical Products.

Select standard transport chairs

These are the most common type transport chairs. They usually weigh more than 26 pounds and come with a variety of options and accessories. It is possible for find good used transport wheelchairs in this category if you shop around.

I recommend: You can find standard folding transport wheelchairs at WheelchairDepot.com. In addition to standard models, it also carries specialty items like shower/commode transport wheelchair models. ImproveLife.com also has standard transport travel wheelchairs, along with other specialty transport wheelchairs types and styles.

Find heavy duty transport chairs

If your users are plus size, or if the transport chairs are going to see a lot of use, you may want to consider heavy duty transport chairs. These chairs have extra support built into them and can carry extra weight. Because of the extra metal in the construction, these chairs are also heavier to lift in and out of vehicles. It is also possible to find heavy duty transport chairs with special features and accessories.

I recommend: You can find heavy duty transport wheelchairs at 1800wheelchair.com. They have models with solid metal construction as well as additional features for bariatric patients. SpinLife.com offers heavy duty transport chairs as well.