Homepro Medical Supplies

For those with mobility issues, your home is your safe place. You are familiar with the layout, where trouble spots are and have a way to contact someone if something goes wrong.

But outside of your home is another matter.

Whether because of a past fall or the fear of a fall, you need assistance getting around outside of your home for going to the doctor or to the grocery store. But what are your options? An electric wheelchair or scooter is too much, and a regular wheelchair even seems like more assistance than you actually need. This is where relying on a transport wheelchair is your best solution.

“What is a transport wheelchair?”

When most people think of wheelchairs they picture two large wheels in back and two small wheels in front. Transport wheelchairs have four smaller wheels. That is because transport wheelchairs are meant to be pushed from behind by a family member or caregiver rather than propelled by the user.

Transport wheelchairs are not meant for long-term use, but for assistance doing tasks such as going to a doctor’s appointment, going grocery shopping or any situation where there would be too much walking for the wheelchair user.

“What is the difference between transport wheelchairs and standard wheelchairs?”

There are a few key differences between transport and standard wheelchairs:

• Wheel size– again, the smaller size of all four wheels means the user relies on a family member or caregiver to push them rather than propelling themselves.
• Extremely lightweight– made of lightweight aluminum and steel, most transport wheelchairs tip the scales at less than 20 lbs. Steel transport wheelchairs weigh slightly more, about four to six pounds on average.
• Easy to transport– in addition to being lightweight, transport wheelchairs fold up easily to fit into the backseat or trunk of your car. Standard wheelchairs can be heavier and more difficult to manage.
• More colorful options– aluminum transport wheelchairs offer different options for colors other than standard wheelchairs.
• Inexpensive for rent or purchase- compared to standard wheelchairs, transport wheelchairs are fairly inexpensive whether you are renting or purchasing one.

“Should I or my aging parent be using a transport wheelchair?”

Transport wheelchairs are not a good solution for everyone. For example, if you or a parent requires daily use of a wheelchair for a majority of the day, a standard wheelchair would be a more suitable solution. Transport wheelchair users only need to use a wheelchair for short periods of time, mostly outside of the home when going from one place to another.

“What should I look for when purchasing a transport wheelchair?”

There are four key criteria you need to look for when buying a transport wheelchair for yourself or a loved one:

1. Weight- the lower the weight, the easier the wheelchair will be to transport and get in and out of a car.
2. Wheel size- smaller wheels will work great on smooth surfaces, while larger wheels (8” in diameter or more) will be better suited for rougher terrain like a gravel driveway.
3. Seat design- seat designs vary across models of transport wheelchairs, so look for things like metal braces under the seat, padding or seams that could be uncomfortable.
4. Seat width- this involves both the person using the wheelchair as much as the environment they will use it in. It should be wide enough without being too cumbersome to navigate tight areas if needed.

Now that you know more about transport wheelchairs you can make an informed decision as to whether it is the best solution for you or an aging parent. If you believe a transport wheelchair is what you need for purchase or to rent, Homepro Medical Supplies offers numerous models to choose from. We also offer heavy duty transport wheelchairs with higher weight capacities.

Browse our selection and use our quick and easy online checkout to purchase and ship your transport wheelchair today!

Traveling to the New York metro area, Connecticut or northern New Jersey? You can rent a transport wheelchair from Homepro Medical Supplies! Click here to learn more.