By Maurice
Chronic health conditions, such as arthritis, are common among the elderly. Muscles, joints, bones, and tissue all weaken and degenerate as humans age. Thus, you see the elderly using mobility aids such as walking canes and wheelchairs.
Where canes may be ideal for short distances, they are not suitable for long distances or for bed-bound individuals. You will have to get a wheelchair for older adults unable to take a single step without assistance.
In this article, we review some of the best available wheelchairs for the elderly. Here you will find their features, pros and cons, as well as buying advice to help determine which one is right for you.
Best Wheelchairs for Elderly
The Carex transport chair is a lightweight steel frame wheelchair. It is foldable, which ensures ease of portability. It comes with a safety belt and removable footrests, making it a functional mobility aid for seniors.
Features include:
Pros
Cons
Who is it Best For?
It is the perfect medical transport wheelchair. It is ideal for seniors who need to make regular visits to the hospital.
The Drive Medical wheelchair features an ergonomic design to ensure optimal functionality and comfort. The wheelchair is foldable, allowing you to carry it with you wherever you need to go. The arm and leg rests are padded and movable. You can adjust the leg rest to the position that suits and can even keep one leg elevated at 180 degrees to aid recovery.
Features include:
Pros
Cons
Who is it Best For?
The wheelchair by Drive Medical is ideal for those recovering from injuries. It is also ideal for wheelchair-bound individuals as its movable arms and adjustable leg rests ensure optimal comfort for the user.
Cruiser III by Drive Medical is a more advanced wheelchair with a higher weight capacity. Its dual axle, removable, safety lock, and flippable armrests provide additional ease of transfer. The chair features a wide seat, and the padded and adjustable leg and footrests provide optimal comfort to the user.
Features include:
Pros
Cons
Who is it Best For?
The model is ideal for those who seek a lightweight, durable, and functional chair. Cruiser III by Drive Medical is the chair to buy if you are looking for something to use for the long-term.
The expedition Transport Wheelchair by Drive Medical is an excellent lightweight chair for the elderly who require regular check-ups. It is foldable into a compact piece ensuring ease of portability. It also comes with hand brakes, companion activated wheel lock, and a safety seat belt.
Features include:
Pros
Cons
Who is it Best For?
The chair is ideal for aged individuals who need to make regular visits to the hospital with their caretaker.
The Sport 2 Wheelchair is another ideal option for those looking for a wheelchair for long-term use. It features a wide, comfortable seat with a carry pocket on the back for storing your essentials. The removable footrests, padded arms, and easy to use wheel lock system all make it an excellent option for the elderly.
Features include:
Pros
Cons
Who is it Best For?
It is ideal for those looking for a daily use wheelchair for the long run.
The TR37E-SV is another transport wheelchair by Drive Medical. Its superb design allows the user to steer the wheelchair effortlessly. It is ideal for both indoor and outdoor use. It comes with swing-away footrests for ease of patient transfer and a seat belt for security.
Features include:
Pros
Cons
Who is it Best For?
It is best for those who need a lightweight transport wheelchair that is easy to steer.
If you seek a more independent lifestyle, this is the wheelchair for you. It is remote controlled and waterproof. The chair has a 13-mile travel range and features memory foam cushioning for optimal comfort. The arms are movable for ease of use. You can easily flip them up when getting in or getting out.
Features include:
Pros
Cons
Who is it Best For?
The wheelchair doesn’t come with a seat belt, which you may have to purchase separately as an accessory.
You can take customizable comfort to the next level with Medline’s lightweight wheelchair. It is easy to use and steer and comes with various customizable features that provide optimal comfort to the user. You can flip and move the arm and footrests out of the way when transferring the patient. You can also elevate the leg rest, which is ideal for those with swollen feet or those who are recovering from an injury.
Features include:
Pros
Cons
Who is it Best For?
It is best for those looking for a wheelchair with a wide seat. You can choose from one of the three available seat widths.
The transport wheelchair by Medline is ultra-light, weighing only 15 pounds. You can fold it into one flat piece and stow it away in the trunk of the car. The chair also comes with a few additional features such as a cup holder, a seat belt, and hand grips providing optimal comfort to the user.
Features include:
Pros
Cons
Who is it Best For?
It is best for seniors looking for a comfortable, functional, and lightweight wheelchair.
The handbrakes on this transport wheelchair by Medline take it to the next level. The seat belt, removable footrests, and handbrakes all make this an exceptionally safe to use transport wheelchair. It features a rust-resistant, lightweight yet sturdy aluminum frame, making it a very durable wheelchair for the elderly.
Features include:
Pros
Cons
Who is it Best For?
It is ideal for those looking for a weather-resistant wheelchair for outdoor use.
The bariatric wheelchair is ideal for those recovering from bariatric surgery. It features an extra-wide seat and has removable desk arms. You can remove them during patient transfer or when the patient needs extra space and reattach them whenever the elderly need support.
Features include:
Pros
Cons
Who is it Best For?
It is ideal for people with bariatric problems or those who have a heavy frame.
If you are looking for something sturdy, this is the wheelchair for you. It features a TIG-welded frame, which makes it ideal for use by people with heavier frames. The nylon upholstery is also durable, so you can use it both indoor and outdoor without worrying about wear and tear.
Features include:
Pros
Cons
Who is it Best For?
It is ideal for those who need something extremely durable for long-term use.
The Medline Comfort Driven Wheelchair offers an ideal combination of comfort, functionality, and durability. Its premium welded frame makes it a strong and sturdy wheelchair ideal for long-term use. The chair features full length, padded desk arms that provide support to the entire arm. You can also adjust the height of the seat to suit your requirements.
Features include:
Pros
Cons
Who is it Best For?
This is ideal for people looking for something durable and functional for outdoor use.
The ProBasics Standard Wheelchair features high-quality vinyl upholstery that is not just easy to clean but also resists mildew and bacteria formation, making it extremely hygienic. It comes with elevating leg rests that are padded for extra comfort. The swing-away footrests also feature help hoops as an additional safety feature to keep the patient’s feet firmly planted.
Features include:
Pros
Cons
Who is it Best For?
It is ideal for those who sweat a lot and would like a wheelchair that is hygienic and low maintenance.
If you want to lead an independent lifestyle, this is the wheelchair for you. It offers a 15 miles range, joystick control, cruising option, all on a sturdy frame with a powerful motor, providing optimal comfort to the user. You can flip the arms away and get in your chair and take a stroll in the park or go grocery shopping.
Features include:
Pros
Cons
Who is it Best For?
It is ideal for those who are looking for a long-range electric wheelchair.
The Porto Mobility Ranger is a lightweight yet durable electric wheelchair. It is perfect for those who travel frequently. It has a long travel range, adjustable speed, and a detachable joystick remote control. It also comes with dual storage pockets, ensuring the elderly has all their essentials with them at all times.
Features include:
Pros
Cons
Who is it Best For?
The chair only supports up to 265lbs, which is a lower weight capacity than many others.
The wheelchair’s recline features set it apart from its competitors. The chair’s back reclines up to 180 degrees. It also features detachable armrests and swing-away footrests for ease of patient transfer. The wheelchairs additional safety features include a push to lock wheel locking system and anti-trippers.
Features include:
Pros
Cons
Who is it Best For?
It is ideal for lightweight individuals looking for a bariatric wheelchair. The chair is wide enough to be comfortable and also features a reclining function that enhances the user’s comfort.
If you want the functionality of a wheelchair but the ease of use of a transport chair, this is the one for you. The chair is durable and features an anti-bacterial seat covering, making it ideal for long-term use. The footrests are removable and come with a safety edge. Other features include companion brakes, shaped seat framing, and flat-free tires.
Features include:
Pros
Cons
Who is it Best For?
It is ideal for those looking for a lightweight wheelchair
The Eagle HD by Quick N Mobile is truly a mobility aid that improves the user’s life. It has a long travel range, quick-charging battery, folds within one second, and features a weather-resistant coating protecting it from wear and tear.
Features include:
Pros
Cons
Who is it Best For?
It is ideal for those looking for an electric wheelchair with a long travel range and fast-charging battery for daily use.
The IQ-8000 features a shock-absorbent mechanism that keeps the user super comfortable and prevents the risk of accidents or injuries. The chair’s joystick remote control is easy to use, allowing the user to travel at a speed of 4mph. The chair folds into one compact piece within 3 seconds.
Features include:
Pros
Cons
Who is it Best For?
It is ideal for those who want a compact, medium travel range wheelchair
The All-Terrain Power Wheelchair is ideal for all your picnic trips. The chair can travel up to 20 to 30 km on an 8-hour-long charge. Its electromagnetic braking system makes the chair safe to use, and its joystick control system makes it easy to use. The chair’s elongated backrest with a headrest keep the user comfortable and also double as a normal sitting chair when parked.
Features include:
Pros
Cons