What is a companion wheelchair?

A companion wheelchair, also called a transport wheelchair, is a short-term mobility device for people who are unable to walk because of illness, injury, or disability.

What are the two types of wheelchairs?

How wide is a companion chair?

Transport chairs come in 3 Sizes: Narrow – a 17” wide seat – for users under 120 lbs. Medium – a 19” wide seat – for users between 120 and 300 lbs. Wide – a 22” wide seat or wider – for users over 300 lbs.

What is a transporter wheelchair?

Transport wheelchairs are lightweight mobility chairs that combine the function of a wheelchair with the portability of a rollator. They are meant to be pushed by a family member or caregiver, as their small wheels make it impossible for the user to propel herself.

What are the most comfortable wheelchair for elderly?

Understanding Folding Wheelchairs - The Companion Range

Is wheelchair covered by Medicare?

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.

What is a geriatric wheelchair?

Geriatric Wheelchairs (or Geri Chairs as they are often called) are a comfortable, fully reclining chair with wheels so that they can be used for mobility. These chairs are great for older users with limited mobility as they allow for easier assistance from a caregiver or attendant.

What is the difference between a wheelchair and a transport wheelchair?

Transport chairs have 8”-12” rear wheels that cannot be reached while sitting in the chair. Wheelchairs, however, are built with larger 18”-24” wheels topped with an easy-to-grip, rotating handrail that allow users to propel themselves forward.

Can you push yourself in a transport chair?

The primary difference is that in a standard wheelchair you can propel yourself, while a transport chair requires another person to push it from behind.

What is the difference between a travel wheelchair and a transit wheelchair?

A Transit Wheelchair, or sometimes known as a transport wheelchair, is normally attendant propelled and therefore unlike a self-propelling wheelchair has smaller back wheels. This means that the carer or family member can quickly and easily enable the wheelchair user to move locations.

Are transport wheelchairs hard to push?

Transport wheelchairs are also convenient easy to push wheelchairs, since they come with small wheels, one of the reasons to buy this type of Wheelchair is so that the caregiver can effectively push the user without exerting too much energy with each push.

What is the narrowest wheelchair available?

The narrowest wheelchair is the Drive Medical Lightweight Transport Chair which is only 21 inches wide from edge to edge with a 17″ seat width. The narrowest self-propelled wheelchair though is the Medline Excel K4 which is only 23.5 inches wide from wheel to wheel with a 16″ seat width.

What is a Type 3 wheelchair?

Manual Wheelchair Type 3

These lightweight wheelchairs offer a modular design with clean modern lines and configurability. It provides you with a personalized fit and superior performance. Most models in this category can conveniently fold to fit into small spaces and vehicle. View manual wheelchair type 3 models.

What is a wheelchair with small wheels called?

Transit wheelchairs with small wheels

Remember, transit wheelchairs (otherwise known as transport wheelchairs) are usually designed to be pushed by a caregiver, rather than being self-propelled. So they're a great option for those who rely on someone else pushing the chair.

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 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.

Are lightweight wheelchairs easier to push?

Light in weight The first feature of this type of Wheelchair is that it must be light in weight. This would include the frame itself, components, and the wheels of the chair. The lighter it is, the easier it will be to move it from one place to another.

What's the difference between a lightweight wheelchair and a standard wheelchair?

Standard wheelchairs are commonly steel, weighing 15kg+ and are sometimes foldable but with limited adjustability beyond size. Lightweight wheelchairs are made of aluminium or steel alloys, weigh 13-16kg, are often foldable and offer adjustable features, such as removable armrests.

Can a transport wheelchair be used as a regular wheelchair?

Transport Chair Overview

Transport chairs are used to move people around who cannot propel themselves using a standard wheelchair. A second person is required for mobility. For those who find a regular Wheelchair too big or heavy to move around, transport wheelchairs are a great alternative.

Can you use a transport chair as a walker?

Rollator transport chairs and regular rollators can both be used as a walker and as a chair to sit on to rest, but rollator transport chairs have an added benefit. Rollator transport chairs, unlike regular rollators, can be pushed by a caregiver whenever the need arises.

Which is easier to push a wheelchair or a transport chair?

Wheelchairs have larger back wheels and are meant to be propelled by the person using the chair and they can also be pushed by a companion. Wheelchairs are heavier and with the larger back wheels they can used on outside terrain easier than transport chairs.

Can you sleep in a geri chair?

Popular for use in hospitals and long-term care facilities, these geri chairs can convert from an upright position, to a reclined position, to a completely flat position. They provide convenient, comfortable support for sitting, relaxing, and sleeping.

What is a reclining wheelchair?

Recline wheelchairs are designed to allow the user to recline comfortably at incremental angle positions, without exerting so much energy. These types of chairs offer a change in positioning, allowing the user to open the seat to back angle, which is a lot more comfortable than a conventional seating system.

How do elderly choose a wheelchair?

When purchasing a wheelchair for a senior, it's important to consider the weight of the user and the weight of the chair itself. Heavier seniors may require heavy duty chairs that are tip resistant and built to support larger people.