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Wheelchairs Buyer's Guide

Benefits of wheelchairs

Wheelchairs provide increased independence and ease mobility for users and their carers. There are numerous types of wheelchairs, catering to varying levels of mobility restrictions and the specific needs of the user.

Wheelchairs are a great mobility aid to increase quality of life for their users. People who are able to self propel a manual wheelchair, or operate a power wheelchair independently find themselves able to enjoy a level of freedom to undertake daily activities such as work, study and social activities.

Users with reduced upper and lower body mobility, who are unable to operate a wheelchair themselves, benefit greatly from the ability to travel with ease, with the assistance of a carer.

What type of wheelchair is right for you?

To help determine which type of wheelchair will best suit your needs you should first consider how you will use it.

  • Do you have a temporary, or permanent mobility restriction, but you still have the upper body physical ability to self propel a wheelchair?
  • Do you have a mobility restriction and are unable to self propel a wheelchair, but have the ability to operate the controls on a power wheelchair?
  • Do you require assistance from a carer to propel your wheelchair?
  • Will you use your wheelchair indoors, or outdoors, or both?
  • Do you require a wheelchair with tilt in space capabilities?
  • How will you use your wheelchair for vehicle travel? Do you need a wheelchair which can fold down to fit into your car, or do you have access to a wheelchair accessible vehicle?

We recommend consulting with your Occupational Therapist for assistance with determining the most appropriate type of wheelchair to suit your mobility restrictions.

Caring for your wheelchair

Wheelchairs are designed to be low maintenance, but like any mechanical appliance components wear over time. Regular upkeep, maintenance and servicing will ensure your wheelchair remains operationally safe and running well.

Upkeep and maintenance such as checking tyre pressure, checking that nuts and bolts are tight and cleaning the chair can be done regularly by the user or their carer.

In addition you should have your wheelchair serviced annually to check and replace components such as bearings, tyres, plus the motor and electronics in power wheelchairs.

Open Mobility offer servicing and repairs for manual and power wheelchairs using quality parts and experienced technicians. We can arrange transportation for your wheelchair to and from our workshop and if required we can provide a temporary wheelchair whilst yours is being serviced.

Self propelled

  • Price bracket$595 - $3,480

Shop Self Propelled Wheel Chairs

Self propelled wheelchairs provide the user with the freedom of mobility when faced with temporary, or permanent restrictions in lower body mobility. Self propelled wheelchairs are ideal for users who may use their wheelchair in conjunction with other forms of mobility aids, they are also suitable for permanent users. Most self propelled wheelchairs have the ability to fold down for storage and travel.

Our self propelled wheelchairs come in a variety of sizes and styles, from lightweight through to bariatric.

Transit

  • Price bracket$300 - $995

Shop Transit Wheel Chairs

Transit wheelchairs are perfect for users with limited mobility, who may not have the ability to self propel, or operate a power wheelchair and they need assistance from a carer to move around.

Our transit wheelchairs come in a variety of sizes and styles such as lightweight, tilt in space and bariatric

Power Wheelchairs

  • Price bracket$1,290 - $5,290

Shop Power Wheel Chairs

Power wheelchairs, also known as electric wheelchairs are ideal for people who have difficulty walking, but also may have reduced arm, hand or upper body strength/movement.

Power wheelchairs require minimal effort to operate and are easily maneuvered indoors, creating independence for the user.

Open Mobility offers a variety of power wheelchairs, with rear and mid wheel drive options, transportable powerchairs, which can be dismantled. We even sell wheelchair power packs which are easily attached to manual wheelchairs to allow motorised attendant assistance.

Custom Solution

We recognise that in some circumstances, more complex mobility restrictions may require a custom wheelchair tailored to suit the individual. Contact us to discuss your wheelchair needs and we can work with you and your Occupational Therapist to create an individualised solution.

Contact us to discuss a custom solution