Wheelchair for Home Use: Choosing the Best Option

Enhancing mobility and independence, a wheelchair for home use is essential for individuals with limited movement. Whether due to a temporary injury or a chronic condition, a wheelchair designed specifically for home environments offers comfort and easy access to all areas of the house. With a wide variety of options available, it is crucial to choose a wheelchair for home use that best meets the user's specific needs and preferences. Investing in the right wheelchair can significantly improve the quality of life by ensuring comfort, accessibility, and ease of movement within the home.

The Best Wheelchairs for Home Use

Transport Wheelchairs

Designed specifically to be pushed by a caregiver, this small wheelchair for home use has smaller rear wheels and is compact and lightweight. It is often equipped with a foldable frame, making it perfect for homes with limited spaces. The ASTRA Steel Transport Wheelchair is a great example, which uses a compact, lightweight design.

Transport wheelchairs have a back-release hinge that folds the chair flat when storing or transporting it. It also comes with a seat belt, tool-free swing-away composite footrests and heel loops to secure the user in place.

Standard Manual Wheelchairs

These are the most common types of wheelchairs, in which a person can move themselves using large rear wheels and hand rims or be pushed by a caregiver. These traditional wheelchairs usually have a foldable frame for easy storage and transportation. If you're looking for a specific type of standard wheelchair, you may consider the Invacare® Tracer EX2 Wheelchair offered by Aracent Healthcare.

It's a long-lasting and durable wheelchair with a heavy-duty seat inner liner and a low-maintenance carbon steel frame. Overall, the entire wheelchair only weighs 36 lbs., which makes propelling a bit easier for an average person. When you pair it with 24" Urethane rear tires mounted on "no flex" wheels, you get enough traction to move around most surfaces in your home.

Lightweight Manual Wheelchairs

Similar to standard manual wheelchairs, they are made with lighter materials like aluminum or titanium, making them easier to maneuver and transport. These are ideal for individuals who need to move around frequently within the home. Fortunately, Aracent Healthcare has the Chariot IV XTC High-Strength Lightweight Wheelchair.

While it weighs only less than 35 lbs. (excluding front rigging). It also has an adjustable angle back that users can easily adjust from 5 to 20 degrees, and an adjustable height back that goes from 17” to 19” in 1” increments. This is an excellent adaptable feature that will satisfy various patient needs.

Compact Power Wheelchairs

These narrow wheelchairs for home use are smaller and lighter versions of standard electric variants. They are designed for superior maneuverability within the home and can often navigate better in tight or crowded spaces. Power wheelchairs are great for home use, especially if the user does not have anyone to help them move around.

Reclining Wheelchairs

Recliner wheelchairs allow the user to adjust the backrest to various angles, offering comfort and pressure relief for extended periods of sitting. These are particularly beneficial for individuals with severe mobility issues or those who spend a lot of time in wheelchairs. The Chariot IV XTC-RC Reclining Wheelchair is one option you can get from Aracent Healthcare.

It roughly weighs around 47 lbs., and it comes with a carbon steel frame with double-coated chrome for an appealing, chip-proof, and maintainable finish. It also has a hydraulic reclining mechanism that provides infinite adjustments up to 180 degrees. Users can sit comfortably thanks to its durable nylon upholstery resists mildew and bacteria that’s also flame retardant.

Tilt-in-Space Wheelchairs

This type of wheelchair allows for the whole seating system to tilt back, including the backrest and seat. This redistributes pressure and aids in comfort and positioning, making it beneficial for individuals who suffer from severe muscle spasms or require long-term seating. The Invacare® Solara 3G Tilt-in-Space Wheelchair is one model that users can get for home use.

You can initiate the -5° to 50° tilt range using traditional hand or cable-free foot release. It also has an adjustable back angle from 0° to 30° in 5° increments. Wheelchair users at home will need this feature to reduce the effects of gravity on the trunk and upper body, eliminating postural deviations.

Heavy-Duty Wheelchairs

These bariatric wheelchairs are designed to support greater weight capacities (usually over 300 pounds), providing a wider seat and reinforced frame. They ensure safety and comfort for larger users. If you're looking for a strong home-use model, Aracent Healthcare has the Titus Heavy-Duty Wheelchair.

It features an ultra-sturdy design to aid patients with wider seats and higher weight capacity requirements. It has a 22 to 30-inch seat width and a weight capacity of 500-700 lbs. because of the heavy-duty slide tube frame design. Bariatric patients can greatly benefit from these wheelchairs if they want to increase their mobility at home.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Wheelchair for Home Use

When selecting a wheelchair for use at home, you should consider multiple factors to ensure the selected model meets the user's needs. Some key considerations include:

• User's Mobility Level.

  Determine the level of assistance the user needs. A more autonomous user may prefer a manual wheelchair, while someone with less mobility might benefit from an electric wheelchair for home use.

• Wheelchair Weight.

  Consider the weight of the wheelchair, especially if it needs to be moved or transported frequently. Lightweight options can make daily handling easier at home.

• Navigation Requirements.

  Assess the home's layout for tight spaces and obstacles. A narrow wheelchair for home with smaller turning radiuses or tilting functions can provide better navigation through narrow doorways and hallways.

• Safety Features.

  Check for safety features like seat belts, anti-tip wheels and wheel locks. You can also purchase additional features if you feel the wheelchair lacks safety.

Trust Aracent Healthcare's Reliable Wheelchairs for Home Use

A wheelchair should be strong, functional and reliable enough for every user, and that's what Aracent Healthcare can provide. You can browse our extensive selection of wheelchairs that may work well for home use. We also offer upgrades and features to make your wheelchair more comfortable and functional.

Contact us today if you have more questions about our wheelchairs for home use.