How to Choose a Wheelchair for an Elderly Parent

If you've reached the point where you think Mum or Dad might need a wheelchair, knowing where to start isn't always easy.

For many families, it's the first time they've ever had to think about wheelchairs. You start looking online and suddenly discover hundreds of different models, enormous differences in price and terms like self-propelled, transit, attendant brakes and lightweight aluminium.

The good news is that choosing the right wheelchair doesn't need to be complicated.

At Fen Mobility Centre, we help families with this every week. Here are some of the things we recommend thinking about before you buy.

First: how will the wheelchair actually be used?

This is probably the most important question.

Someone who needs a wheelchair occasionally for a trip into town has very different requirements from someone who will spend several hours a day sitting in one.

Think about a typical week.

Will the wheelchair mainly be used for shopping trips and days out? Will it be pushed around the house? Does it need to go into the boot of a car? Will Mum or Dad propel themselves, or will somebody else usually push them?

It's tempting to start by looking at wheelchair specifications, but we prefer to start with the person and how they live.

Once you understand that, choosing the equipment becomes much easier.

Transit or self-propelled wheelchair?

This is one of the first choices you'll encounter.

A transit wheelchair has four relatively small wheels and is designed to be pushed by another person.

A self-propelled wheelchair has large rear wheels with hand rims, allowing the person sitting in the chair to propel themselves. It can also be pushed by an attendant using the handles.

https://www.fenmobility.com/wheelchairs

Don't automatically assume that a self-propelled chair is better simply because it offers more independence.

For someone who will virtually always be pushed by their partner or family, a transit wheelchair can be lighter, more compact and easier to manoeuvre.

On the other hand, being able to move yourself even short distances, perhaps around a café, at home or while visiting friends, can make a considerable difference to independence.

Don't underestimate weight

If the wheelchair is going into a car regularly, its weight matters enormously.

A difference of several kilograms might not sound significant on a website specification. It certainly can when you're lifting the chair in and out of a boot several times a day.

We often encourage the person who will actually be doing the lifting to try it.

Some wheelchairs have quick-release wheels, folding backs or removable footrests that make them much easier to transport. Lightweight aluminium chairs can also make a big difference.

And remember: the biggest, strongest person in the family isn't necessarily going to be the person loading the wheelchair every time.

Choose for real life.

The right size really matters

Wheelchairs aren't one-size-fits-all.

Seat width is particularly important. Too narrow and the chair can be uncomfortable and restrictive. Too wide and the person may have insufficient support and find self-propelling more difficult.

Seat depth, back height, armrests and footrest position can matter too.

For somebody who is only using a wheelchair occasionally, the requirements may be fairly straightforward. For somebody spending significant periods of time in their chair, positioning and pressure management become increasingly important.

This is one area where getting proper advice can make a real difference.

Think about the person pushing it too

We naturally concentrate on the person sitting in the wheelchair, but the person pushing it is part of the equation.

If Dad is going to be pushing Mum, for example, consider his strength and mobility too.

Attendant brakes can make controlling a wheelchair easier, particularly on slopes. The overall weight and balance of the chair matter, as does how easily it manoeuvres.

A wheelchair that feels perfectly manageable around a flat showroom can feel rather different on a pavement, a slope or a gravel car park.

Where will it be used?

Try to picture the places the wheelchair will encounter.

• Around the house?

• Supermarkets?

• Pavements?

• Garden centres?

• National Trust properties?

• Hospital appointments?

• Days out with the grandchildren?

Different wheelchairs behave very differently once you leave a perfectly smooth floor.

Small front castors can struggle on rough surfaces, while larger wheels generally cope better. At the same time, a larger, more substantial wheelchair may be less convenient if it constantly needs to be folded into a small car.

There is rarely a perfect wheelchair for every possible situation. The aim is to find the best compromise for the person's everyday life.

Check that it fits the car

This sounds obvious, but it's surprisingly easy to overlook.

A wheelchair may fold, but that doesn't necessarily mean it will comfortably fit into your car alongside shopping, walking aids and everything else you normally carry.

If the chair will regularly travel by car, check its folded dimensions and think about how it will actually be loaded.

At Fen Mobility Centre, we're very happy for customers to try putting a wheelchair into their own car before deciding. It's much better to discover a problem in our car park than after you've bought it.

Comfort becomes increasingly important

For occasional use, a relatively simple wheelchair may be absolutely fine.

If somebody will be sitting in the chair for longer periods, comfort and posture deserve much more attention.

A wheelchair cushion may improve comfort, but pressure care isn't simply a matter of buying the thickest cushion you can find. The person's posture, ability to reposition themselves, skin condition and amount of time spent sitting all matter.

If there are concerns about pressure sores or more complex seating needs, professional assessment is particularly important.

Does your parent actually want a wheelchair?

This can sometimes be the hardest part.

For an adult child, the solution may seem obvious: Mum can't walk very far anymore, so we'll get her a wheelchair.

Mum may see things rather differently.

A wheelchair can feel like a very visible acknowledgement that mobility has changed. Some people worry that using one means they're "giving in" or losing their independence.

In reality, the opposite can often be true.

If walking 100 metres leaves someone exhausted, worried about falling or unable to enjoy the rest of the day, a wheelchair can allow them to go shopping, attend family events, visit attractions and spend more time outside the house.

It doesn't have to replace walking altogether.

For many people, a wheelchair is simply another tool that allows them to do more.

Cheap wheelchairs aren't necessarily a bargain

There are some very inexpensive wheelchairs available online, and for very occasional use some may do the job perfectly well.

But price shouldn't be the only consideration.

Think about build quality, weight, comfort, availability of spare parts and what happens if something breaks.

Most importantly, make sure the wheelchair is actually suitable for the person using it.

Saving £50 isn't much of a saving if the chair is uncomfortable, too heavy to lift into the car or ends up sitting unused in the garage.

Try before you buy

We think this is one of the most important pieces of advice.

A wheelchair isn't just a product with a list of specifications. Somebody has to sit in it, somebody may have to push it and somebody may have to lift it into a car.

Trying different chairs can quickly reveal things that aren't obvious from photographs online.

At Fen Mobility Centre in Ely, we stock a range of wheelchairs and can help you compare different styles and sizes. Our team can talk through how the chair will be used, and our Occupational Therapist-led approach means we'll always focus on finding equipment that's appropriate for the individual rather than simply selling the most expensive option.

You can sit in them. Push them. Fold them. Lift them. And, if necessary, see whether they'll actually fit in your car.

Because the best wheelchair isn't necessarily the lightest, most expensive or most sophisticated one.

It's the one that helps Mum or Dad carry on doing the things that matter to them.

Need help choosing a wheelchair?

Visit Fen Mobility Centre in Ely and have a chat with our team. We stock wheelchairs for a wide range of needs and budgets, and we'll be happy to help you find the right one without any pressure.

We serve customers throughout Ely, Cambridge, Newmarket, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.