7 Things You Should Know About Reclining Wheelchairs

The need for wheelchairs has been around throughout the years, leading to great improvements and new developments over time. Wheelchairs have been around for centuries, if not longer, as a necessary means of transportation for many individuals. In more recent years, adaptations have been made to create self-propelling functionality, the addition of extra storage, and even cup holders.Added functionality such as these, and improvements in comfort and health advantages, like the ability to recline or tilt, have been put in place to make life a little easier. For the senior generation, any improvements made on something like a wheelchair, which is both a necessity for mobility and also a part of daily life, are especially crucial and can even drastically improve the quality of life of its user.The addition of a reclining feature in a wheelchair not only allows the comfort of a normal recliner, and the advantage of a more relaxed seating option, but also serves to combat certain health issues and provide adjustments for redistribution of pressure. Of course, there are many options available for seniors to choose from. Finding the right model in your budget can make a much-needed difference in daily life, for many health conditions and comfort reasons, to those who rely on a wheelchair for their everyday mobility.

What Is a Reclining Wheelchair

A reclining wheelchair is exactly what it sounds like, at its core. Other differences are inherent between a reclining wheelchair and a conventional one as well, and a reclining model wheelchair is rarely a run-of-the-mill wheelchair that just happens to recline. Additional safety measures are added to make the reclining feature best for its user. First, a higher back is almost always seen in the design of a reclining wheelchair, for support. Additionally, reclining wheelchairs tend to have more calf support as well, enabling a safer recline for the user. Most often a hand brake system is the means of reclining; with the lever placed on the handles near the back to prevent accidental recline while the user is mobile.It is common for those who need additional support to look to a reclining wheelchair to give them just that, and many others purchase reclining wheelchairs to prevent issues with skin breakdown. Many reclining models have additional features that these two types of users may rely on. For this reason, a tilt function is most commonly seen as an added measure of reclining wheelchairs. This function allows the seat to be pivoted through a similar hand brake, and creates a shift in weight that can redistribute uncomfortable pressure.Next