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There are various unrecognized benefits to investing in a custom wheelchair for yourself or a loved one. Custom wheelchairs present a way to relieve pressure from certain areas of the body that typically may experience the most pressure in a normal wheelchair. This also helps prevent injuries from worsening or even the development of new injuries. Wheelchair seating is especially important as it contributes to the user’s overall long-term alignment. Having inadequate seating can cause issues like chronic pain and complications with posture. Wheelchair features can be personalized to accommodate certain activities and lifestyles giving the user more independence and mobility opportunities. Wheelchairs that are used every day may wear out quickly. By choosing to design a custom wheelchair more suited for the needs of the user, it may not wear out as quickly as a non-custom one. Custom wheelchairs provide more long-term benefits than people may realize when first looking into options. UDS wants to help make sure you are making the right choice for all your daily needs.
Considerations when Choosing a Customized Wheelchair
Pressure Relief
Custom wheelchairs can assist with pressure relief for users and in turn provide more long-term comfort. Adding elements like special cushions can help relieve pressure from areas like tailbone, hips, heels, elbows, and shoulder blades. Wheelchair users have a higher chance of developing pressure sores. This is when an area of skin is exposed to a high volume of pressure for an extended period of time. Adding an adjustable backrest can also help redistribute pressure from various areas of the body, helping with overall pressure relief. Making sure that the wheelchair sizing is correct for the user is also important when trying to avoid pressure sores.
Durability
A great benefit from designing a custom wheelchair is it can be specifically built to accommodate the user’s daily life activities, making it more durable for their personal needs and long-term use. Electric wheelchairs often have a shorter lifespan than normal wheelchairs ranging from 3-5 years. By strengthening certain areas of the chair or choosing different materials to build the wheelchair, it could extend the overall lifespan of the wheelchair, cutting the cost of purchasing a new wheelchair every few years. Having a more durable wheelchair can also be more low maintenance and help contribute to less user complication. This would help buyers receive better long-term value from their purchase.
Injury Prevention
Designing a wheelchair around the potential user’s needs can help prevent them from getting worse or even help prevent new injuries from occurring. Health issues such as pressure sores, chronic pain, or even posture related complications can occur if wheelchairs are not adjusted to the user properly. These can all become ongoing issues that can make long-term care more difficult for both the patient and the caregiver. Customizable, adjustable seat heights, armrests, and leg rests can also help prevent injuries from potential falls or strains while using the wheelchair. Adjustable chairs can also help prevent strain on specific joints, making the wheelchair experience more comfortable.
Personalized Features
Custom wheelchairs offer a large variety of personalization options including, but not limited to, power wheelchairs, foldable wheelchairs, adjustable back rests, adjustable arm and footrests, and seat depths. Each feature assists with a different need the user may have, or it can solely be for comfort purposes. Seat cushions can be made of multiple different materials including foam, gel, or air, each providing a different level of comfort or support. Custom cushions or back rests can help alleviate pain or pressure from certain areas of the body. Users that suffer from spinal cord injuries or scoliosis might require these personalizations that may not be found in a standard wheelchair. Wheel configurations can also be personalized based on common terrain that the user might be traveling on. Some options could include front or rear wheel drive, specialized tires, or an adjustable camber for easier turning.
More Independence
Specially designed wheelchairs offer users more independence because they can be tailored to the user’s everyday environments. By ensuring that the wheelchair is functional in daily spaces it makes tasks easier and can help users be less reliant on others around them. Specific features can help make transferring in and out of the wheelchair easier and can also make cooking, working, hobbies, traveling, and sports less complicated and more manageable. Options like a power wheelchair allow users the ability to move more freely. Lighter weight frames can also help make moving through spaces easier with or without assistance. Less dependence on caregivers or family members can help give people a higher sense of self-confidence.
How UDS Can Help
Custom wheelchairs offer users more independence, durability, and various options for personalized features that are better suited for the user’s lifestyle. We want to help wheelchair users find the best option to suit their long-term needs as well as ensure that they are receiving a device that will bring them comfort and the most possible independence. We’ve compiled a page detailing our customizable wheelchair process that includes a video and FAQ’s for referencing. At UDS, we pride ourselves in being with you every step of the way, and making ourselves available for any questions and guidance. UDS serves most of eastern and central PA. For more information, please contact us and fill out your information to learn more about our services.