12 Jul Choosing Between a Manual Wheelchair and a Powerchair
According to the latest figures for the Office of National Statistics (ONS), there are approximately 10 million people in the UK who are registered as disabled. Of those, around 1.2 million have mobility issues that currently require them to use a wheelchair. Almost every wheelchair user will, at some point, have had to make the decision whether to use a manual wheelchair or an electric wheelchair (also known as a powerchair).
In this article, we’re going to look at the benefits and disadvantages of each:
Benefits of a manual wheelchair
Manual wheelchairs tend to be smaller and lighter than their powered counterparts, meaning they can be more easily transported from one place to another. This is an important consideration if you depend on public transportation or taxis to get around. Not only are they narrower than most powerchairs, but they are often easier to manoeuvre, particularly in tight spaces such as the aisles of a shop.
Manual wheelchairs require less effort to maintain and care for than powerchairs since they have fewer parts to consider and no electronics to worry about. This also means you don’t need to worry about having a handy power source to charge your chair, which can also result in savings on your energy bills.
Manual wheelchairs are typically much cheaper than a powerchair, and patients may even be entitled to a free model on the NHS.
Disadvantages of a manual wheelchair
The main disadvantage of a manual wheelchair is that you have to operate it under your own steam. This requires a certain level of balance and upper-body strength and can cause wear and tear on your shoulders. Having to power the chair yourself can also make long journeys more difficult and tiring for the user.
Benefits of a powerchair
The main benefit of a powerchair is that you can still operate it even if your mobility has been greatly reduced. There are usually several control options, including touchpads and joysticks, that mean a powerchair can be tailored to your particular mobility needs.
A powerchair tends to be faster than a manual wheelchair, with some models running at up to 8 mph. While it’s possible for a manual wheelchair to exceed this, that depends on the strength and experience of the user and normally can’t be maintained for extended periods of time.
Powerchairs are often more customisable than their manual counterparts, with a variety of optional accessories and adjustable fixtures to make life more comfortable. These include leg rests, arm rests, extended backboards, recline and tilt features, and more, depending on the model.
Disadvantages of a powerchair
Powerchairs tend to be larger than manual wheelchairs, so you may encounter difficulties getting on and off public transport, in and out of taxis, and navigating around certain shops and buildings.
Your powerchair battery needs to be charged after every journey, so you will need a suitable charging point near where the chair will be stored. Constantly having to charge your battery can also cause an increase in your energy bills.
Speaking of money, most powerchairs are more expensive than manual wheelchairs and are normally not available for free from the NHS. However, some models may be leased under the Motability scheme if you are eligible for that.
