Wheelchairs are great mobility devices for individuals who suffer from illnesses like arthritis and muscular dystrophy as well as for those recovering from injuries and operations.
However, wheelchairs are not exactly on the lower end of the price spectrum with the manual types going for $200-$4000 and the electric kinds for $1600 to $7000.
It is a good thing then that wheelchair rental can be had easily, quickly and affordably.
Finding the Wheelchair Before even searching for the companies that offer wheelchairs for rent, you must determine the purpose, period and plans you have for using it.
This way, you have clear-cut criteria of the features you want to pay for in a rental wheelchair.
For purpose and plan, you have to ascertain the places and events where you will be using the wheelchair.
If you are going to travel with it, then you have to make sure that it is foldable, portable and usable.
If you are just going to go around the neighborhood, then a fixed wheelchair may be more suited to the task.
You also need to determine the period of use for the wheelchair rental unit.
Keep in mind that, by virtue of economics, the longer you rent the wheelchair, the more you have to pay for it.
If you are not the one using the wheelchair, then you must consider the needs of the user.
You must ensure that he/she will be comfortable sitting in it and, maybe, even operating it.
Of course, this means that you have to ascertain if the user will be able to use a manual wheelchair or will be more comfortable in an electric wheelchair.
After you have set your basic criteria, you can then start looking for facilities that offer wheelchair rental.
You can start with offline and online Yellow Pages directories, with keywords like "wheelchairs for rent", "medical and hospital equipment" and "mobility devices", to name a few possibilities.
From your initial list of suppliers, you can then start making phone calls.
If you are traveling to an exotic destination, it is good idea to check with the airport and the resort about their policies and availability of wheelchairs for rent.
You should be able to get confirmations or, at the very least, get recommendations to reputable local companies offering the service.
Features Desired in a Wheelchair The criteria for a good quality wheelchair rental unit will vary depending on the mobility needs, the physical condition of the user, the purpose for use, and the budget, to name a few factors.
There are, however, certain criteria that specify the type of wheelchair necessary to be called satisfactory, thus: * Lightweight wheelchairs are suitable for people who have severe difficulty in maneuvering the standard wheelchair.
* Detachable side arms are perfect for individuals who require assisted transfer from wheelchair to bed and vice versa as well as to other places like the commode.
* Wheelchairs with tilting capacity are great for individuals who require relief from painful pressure sores.
* Heavy-duty frames and extra-wide seats are musts for obese individuals You must carefully assess your needs in a wheelchair rental unit in relation to the physical condition.
You want to make sure that the wheelchair will carry your weight instead of you carrying the burden of paying for its rental fees for naught.