| There are many things that can be used to help | | | | using an electric wheelchair. Many of those who are |
| improve the mobility of a person who is mobility | | | | able to operate a manual wheelchair, choose not to, |
| challenged, but the wheelchair has been, for decades, | | | | because usually an electric wheelchair will generally |
| the most common type of mobility equipment | | | | provide much more functionality. |
| available. | | | | Maintaining an electric wheelchair does not generally |
| Manual wheelchairs are still very popular, and thanks | | | | require too much effort. One of the most important |
| to innovations during the 1920's and 1930's, today's | | | | things is often the easiest and that is to make sure |
| manual wheelchairs are very compact, lightweight, | | | | that you follow a proper charging regiment. If you |
| and dependable. Electric wheelchairs have also | | | | use your electric wheelchair constantly throughout |
| changed significantly since the first Electric Klien Chair, | | | | the day, then you will want to start charging it as |
| which is named for its inventor George Klien. | | | | soon as you are done and leave it charging all night. |
| The modern electric wheelchair is much more durable | | | | On the other hand, if you only use your chair once or |
| and rugged than the first electric wheelchairs | | | | twice a week, you will probably not need to charge |
| developed during the 1950's. Many use a mid wheel | | | | the chair every night, but can likely get by only |
| drive system that helps increase stability and | | | | charging it every 3 or 4 days. Overcharging the chair |
| maneuverability. They also have a much larger range, | | | | or undercharging the chair can greatly reduce the life |
| with many able to travel over 20 miles on a single | | | | of the battery. |
| charge. | | | | In addition to maintaining a proper charging regiment, |
| Most of these types of mobility vehicles still utilize | | | | it is also very important to check the battery |
| the joystick control system, which can be configured | | | | connections periodically. You should be checking for |
| for use on either side of the chair. While this is still | | | | loose connections and tightening any that you find. |
| the most common type of control, several other | | | | You should not experience corrosion, like you often |
| options are available for those that can not easily | | | | see on a car battery, but if you do make certain you |
| operate the control with their hands. There are also | | | | clean it away. A solution of baking soda and water is |
| remote control devices available that allow the | | | | usually as effective as anything you could buy in a |
| electric wheelchair to be controlled by a third party, | | | | store to clean corrosion. Just apply the baking soda |
| such as a nurse. | | | | paste and let it sit on the corroded area for several |
| The electric wheelchair is popular among those old | | | | minutes, before scrubbing the area with a small brush. |
| and young, as well as those that have varied mobility. | | | | An electric or manual wheelchair can provide a great |
| Many of those who could not operate a manual | | | | way to improve mobility and improve the |
| wheelchair, are allowed greatly increased mobility by | | | | independence and freedom of its rider. |