Empower yourself with a Powerchair
For those with long or short term disabilities affecting the ability to walk then the powerchair will help you to adjust to your disability and provide freedoms that a manual wheelchair does not provide. The addition of some of these luxuries will add to the cost but the freedoms gained may out weigh the costs.
Medicare Coverage
A basic powerchair can run anywhere from a couple of thousand dollars to a whopping $30,000 as high tech upgrades are added to the base model. The cost can be substantial but there is a program, Medicare, that has benefits to ease the burden of these costs.
In a nutshell if you are able to perform day to day tasks with only the assistance of a walker or cane then you may not qualify. Medicare stipulates that the coverage of cost of a powerchair is dependent on your ability to perform everyday tasks such as getting dressed, going to the bathroom, bathing etc.. If you are unable to do these daily functions and require assistance then you may qualify. Some private insurance companies will still cover some of the burden so it’s alway’s best to talk with your insurance specialist about your policy before committing to a powerchair.
Building a Powerchair to fit your needs
There are a number of ways the typical powerchair can be modified to fit the needs of an individual. For example, if you have a disability involving your hands then the joystick controller that powers the motorized wheelchairs movements can be modified to be used with another part of the body or through speech.
You can also have modifications made to make the chair more comfortable to sit in. Some of these enhancements include special memory foam cushions or arm rests and seats that can be used while bathing.
Safety
Remember you are responsible for keeping you and the ones around you safe. Some chairs can move at a high rate of speed and are very maneuverable so being in tune with your surroundings is of the utmost importance. The typical motorized wheelchair is very heavy and a collision with another person can result in serious injury.
With a little research and practice you can master the powerchair and get your life back on track!
