Five Wheel Scooters » Dexterity

A powerchair or electric wheelchair can bring independence and freedom to those currently reliant on others. Once you have decided on a powerchair rather than a mobility scooter or wheelchair, there are still plenty of other choices to be made. These include the price, the style and size of the powerchair, how portable the powerchair is, and how far it goes between charges.

A powerchair can be used by someone who hasn’t got the dexterity or mobility, perhaps, to drive a mobility scooter. A powerchair user might also have special seating or arm and leg rest requirements that are better served by a powerchair than a mobility scooter. The technology involved in electric wheelchairs is similar to that of mobility scooters and some powerchair manufacturers are offering models that look more like a mobility scooter than a traditional wheelchair.

Powerchairs are usually more customisable than disabled scooters, and can offer different types of control method, seating. For example, the range of the powerchair between charges may not be as important as it having an electric lift so that you can reach shelves or cupboards. It might be more important that it is available with a specialist seat, rather than dismantling to fit in the car. Up until recently, electric wheelchairs were predominantly designed for indoor use, this has now changed as the technology and user requirements have changed. It is now possible to buy powerchairs that are equally suited to indoor and outdoor use. Nowadays, electric wheelchairs are available with a range of well over 20 miles and a speed of up to 6mph. These powerchairs come with outdoor style wheels and tyres and look more rugged and suitable for outdoor use. They sometimes have additional rear wheels to aid stability when off road for example. These models are much more suitable for outdoor use than indoor use.

As powerchair users often spend more time in their powerchairs, the powerchair needs to be right for the environment it’s going to be used in. There is no point having a big high performance powerchair if it’s too big to use indoors, or a small compact powerchair if it is to be used primarily outdoors. The powerchair performance may be an important factor if it is to replace a car, or provide independence and allow extended journeys.

Powerchairs are usually controlled by a joystick on the armrest which can be fitted on either armrest to suit left or right handed use. The arm rest can usually be swung out of the way so that the user can get closer to a desk or table for example. If a joystick control isn’t appropriate for the user’s needs, there are other methods of operating the powerchair, including a head controller, a sip and puff tube, fingertip control or foot control.

Different users will need different sorts of seat, leg rests and armrests as they provide the user with comfort and stability. A powered seat, tilt and recline back, or electric leg rests might also be an optional accessory. If the user will be spending a lot of time in the powerchair, then a wheelchair cushion, especially a memory foam cushion will be a wise investment to ensure comfort and help to prevent pressure sores.

Powerchairs charge in the same way that mobility scooters do. The battery charger will usually plug into the powerchair control unit whilst the batteries are attached. This means that the user doesn’t have to worry about lifting or refitting batteries

Once the basics powerchair requirements have been established, you can then try some powerchairs and see which is most suitable.

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Article Tags:
powerchair, electric wheelchair, wheelchair, mobility, mobility scooter, independence, dexterity, stability

Kitchen Mobility Aids – by Handy Healthcare Staff

Five Wheel Scooters — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:00:04 +0000

If you have mobility or dexterity problems, perhaps carrying out daily kitchen tasks is proving more difficult. Kitchen mobility aids can make your life easier. Kitchen mobility aids are usually small and often relatively basic items, but can make a lot of. A jar opener or tap turner might not be an obvious purchase when compared to a mobility scooter, but it is likely to be used just as often, if not more often.
There is a diverse assortment of kitchen disability aids available, ranging from jar and bottle openers, trolleys, cutlery and crockery, tap and knob turners, kettle tippers, non-slip mats and cutting boards, to food preparation utensils, perching stools and many many more products.
Here are ten types of kitchen daily living aids that can help with food preparation and cooking.
1. Various types of jar and bottle openers are available which can be used in many situations around the house and garden, making them very versatile indeed. They work in different ways; some are a non-slip rubber cone that is placed over the jar or bottle lid, and others use a metal loop attached to a handle tightened round the lid, and then levered open.
2. Trolleys enable you to take items to and from the kitchen, can help with walking, and can also be used in other rooms as well. They can help with carrying food and all the things you need with you around the house, such as glasses, a drink and medication.
3. Those who require assistance with feeding can benefit from using cutlery with oversized or adapted handles. This style of cutlery is ideal for those with a weak or limited grip. Crockery with higher sides to prevent food spilling off the plate can help those with limited hand or muscle control. Scoop plates have angled sides to help ideal push food onto a fork or spoon, and are ideal for those who eat one handed.
4. Tap and knob turners can be fitted to kitchen and bathroom taps and cookers to make sinks and cookers easier to use. These turn conventional taps into levers, which mean that they are easier to use. Turners are also available for cooker controls to make cooking safer and easier.
5. A kettle tipper is a device that supports the weight of the kettle in a cradle and enables the kettle to be tipped, so that the user doesn’t have to take the weight of the kettle. These can be invaluable for people who haven’t
6. got the upper body strength or dexterity to pick up and hold a full kettle to make a hot drink. Mini kettles are also available which are smaller, hold a lot less water and much easier to use for those with limited upper body strength or mobility.
7. Non slip mats and coasters are ideal for placing under plates, and other items to prevent them from slipping around, when eating or preparing food for example.
8. Cutting boards are available which clamp to a work surface and often have sides to them. Sections for securing vegetables so they can be easily cut, and so that bread can be buttered safely using just one hand, for example.
9. Food preparation utensils such as spatulas, knives and graters are available with angled comfortable handles to reduce the strain on wrists and hands. These utensils allow those with mobility or dexterity problems to prepare and chop their own food without needing assistance.
10. A perching stool is invaluable for those people who aren’t able to stand up for long periods of time, and are perfect for use in the kitchen whilst preparing food, as well as in numerous other situations around the house.
These types of healthcare products are often recommended by Occupational Therapists and other healthcare experts. Kitchen mobility aids, such as these, can be the difference between somebody being able to cook for themselves and having to rely on someone else to cook for them. Many more daily living aid products are available which can benefit those with limited mobility or dexterity.
These are just a few examples of the range and variety of household mobility aids that are available. Why not see if there’s anything that could make your daily living easier?

For more information about Mobility and Disability Aids, Healthcare Products and Occupational Therapy Supplies, please visit Handy Healthcare

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GoGo Elite Traveller Plus HD 4 Wheel Travel Scooter

Five Wheel Scooters — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 08:20:14 +0000

The Go-Go Elite Traveller Plus Heavy Duty was designed to bring travel scooters to a greater range of people than ever before. An increase in length, width, and a weight capacity of 325 lbs. combine with wrap-around delta tiller allow both the larger individual and those with limited dexterity to experience the benefits of a travel specific mobility product for the first time. Feather-touch disassembly makes the Go-Go Elite Traveller Plus the easiest travel scooter to take along anywhere.

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Kitchen Mobility Aids – by Handy Healthcare Staff

Five Wheel Scooters — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:23:40 +0000

For more information about Mobility and Disability Aids, Healthcare Products and Occupational Therapy Supplies, please visit Handy Healthcare

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