How do I know what size wheelchair to buy?

Are wheelchairs One size fits all?

Typical wheelchair seat widths:

Standard wheelchairs widths are 16″ (narrow adult), 18″ (average adult) and 20″ (wide adult). For children and small adult sizes as small as 8” are available. Adults with wider body frames can get seats from 28” and wider.

What size is a standard size wheelchair?

There is no uniform standard for wheelchair dimensions. Much like a piece of clothing, a wheelchair user needs to find the right fit for their chair. However, the typical wheelchair is around 36 inches tall, 25 inches wide and 32 inches long.

What is the most common wheelchair size?

A typical wheelchair has a length of 42” (106.7 cm), a height of 36” (91.4 cm), seat heights around 19.5” (49.5 cm), and a width of 25” (63.5 cm). Wheelchairs are chairs with wheels designed to serve users that are unable to, or have difficulty with, walking due to injury, illness, or disability.

How do I pick the right wheelchair?

Therefore, choosing one wheelchair or another will depend on three very personal factors: adequacy for the user, for the use, and for the surroundings. Generally, all wheelchairs are configurable in terms of the size and position of the seat and back, and have adjustable and detachable armrests and footrests.

How to Buy a Wheelchair: A Guide to Type, Size, and Price

How wide is a 22 inch wheelchair?

Wheelchairs that are considered “22 inch” come standard with a seat width of 22”. This is considered extra wide when it comes to manual Wheelchairs. The most common seat width for a wheelchair is 18 inches, while 16” inch chairs are the second most used.

What color wheelchair should I get?

Simple care and most effective look of a wheelchair's surface finish in the long run is essential to most people, and color selection plays an important part. Shades of silver are one of the most forgiving, considerably less prone to revealing dirt and scuff marks.

Will a wheelchair fit through a 32 inch door?

ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) sets forth the following recommendations: A door requires a minimum of 32” with a maximum of 48” which would accommodate most wheelchairs. (Hallways require 36”). The height of a door should be 80”.

Can a wheelchair fit through a 24 inch door?

Recommended Door Width for wheelchair Access

Most wheelchairs measure 24 to 27 inches wide from wheel to wheel. so as for a wheelchair to be operated and move freely through a door, the doorway should be a minimum of 32 inches in breadth .

How wide is a 18 inch wheelchair?

Standard wheelchair with 18" wide seat would be: 18" seat width + 8" = 26" overall width). Consult with each product's specifications page to get exact dimensions.

Does Medicare pay for wheelchair?

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers power-operated vehicles (scooters), walkers, and wheelchairs as durable medical equipment (DME). Medicare helps cover DME if: The doctor treating your condition submits a written order stating that you have a medical need for a wheelchair or scooter for use in your home.

How wide is an oversized wheelchair?

Standard wheelchairs are usually either 16 or 18 inches, but wide wheelchairs start at 20 inches and many bariatric models can come in 20, 22, or 24 inches.

What is seat depth on a wheelchair?

Standard wheelchair size seat depth is 16 inches.

Can a wheelchair fit through a 28 inch door?

A: Most wheelchairs have an average seat width of about 18in-22in and wheel-base of 23in-26in, so those sizes can fit through standard doorways that are 30-32″.

How wide does a doorway need to be for a wheelchair?

By ADA standards, the clear width of a door opening must be a minimum of 32 inches. This clear width measurement is taken between the face of the door and the stop of the frame with the door open to 90 degrees (Figure A). In pairs, at least one of the active leaves must comply with this clear width requirement.

What is the smallest width of a wheelchair?

Figure 1. Minimum Clear Width for Single Wheelchair. The minimum clear width for single wheelchair passage shall be 32 inches (815 mm) at a point for a maximum length of 24 inches and 36 inches (915 mm) continuously.

Do wheelchairs come in different heights?

Regular wheelchairs don't vary much in height selection and is usually 19″ to 20″ high. For lightweight and custom wheelchairs, the heights can vary from as low as 14″ up to as high as 21″.

What is a bariatric wheelchair?

With weight capacities of up to 700 lbs and seat sizes up to 30,” bariatric wheelchairs (often referred to as extra wide wheelchairs or heavy duty wheelchairs) are strong enough to accommodate almost any user.

What is the easiest wheelchair to push?

The two easiest wheelchair types to push are transport chairs and travel wheelchairs. These wheelchair styles are specifically designed to be pushed by a companion, and both rely on a lightweight frame, simple construction, and narrow seat to make them easier to maneuver while pushing.

Do I need a prescription to buy a wheelchair?

Though your doctor may suggest you to use a wheelchair after assessing your physical condition there's no requirement of a prescription for purchasing or using a wheelchair. So, if you feel that you need a wheelchair, you can get one without a doctor's prescription.

What is the difference between a standard and custom built wheelchair?

Most commonly prescribed wheelchairs can come in various types: standard or custom-built. A standard type can be purchased without a therapist's assessment. A custom one may be prescribed by a physiotherapist or occupational therapist to meet your specific needs.

What is a 22 wheelchair?

22″ Steel Wheelchair Detachable Full Arms & Footrests

The Steel Wheelchair 22 inch (5221S) comes equipped with detachable and reversible full arms and swing away footrests. It also features dual axle positions for quick seat height conversion and flame retardant black vinyl upholstery.