Wheelchairs For Sale

Benefits of Owning a Wheelchair

People with mobility difficulties find it tough to participate fully in community life and they often have to depend on others for their day-to-day activities. With an appropriate wheelchair, people with mobility difficulties gain a significant level of independence and live a superior quality of life.

They are able to lead an active lifestyle which helps in reducing risks of health issues associated with a sedentary lifestyle. It also gives them an increased level of independence and more control over their own life. A comfortable and functional wheelchair can have a tremendously positive impact on the user's health.

With more independence, users also gain self-confidence and have a higher sense of self. Many research studies have confirmed that wheelchair users have higher self-esteem which leads to a more active lifestyle and a reduction in the risk of certain health issues.

Find the Right Wheelchair for You

With so many options, it can be challenging to find the right wheelchair. It's all about personal comfort. Here is how you should go about choosing the right wheelchair for you:

• There are various types of wheelchairs including lightweight wheelchairs, standard wheelchairs, reclining wheelchairs, and transport wheelchairs, among others. Transport wheelchairs are best for short-term transportation. You will need a caregiver to propel it.
• Lightweight wheelchairs are easier to transport and fold, and often come equipped with a variety of removable components. The most common type of wheelchair is the standard wheelchair. It has high durability and is affordable. There are also tilted and reclining wheelchairs meant for pressure redistribution and provide relief from a whole range of conditions.
• For choosing the right size, you need to consider seat depth, seat width, seat to floor height, and back height. All these parameters depend on an individual's requirements.

Wheelchair FAQs

How much does it cost to buy a wheelchair?

There is no standard price for a wheelchair. It depends on a variety of factors. You can spend anywhere from $400 to more than $4,500 on a wheelchair depending on its features, level of comfort, and ease of use. An international brand will obviously cost more due to the high cost of shipping.

The cost also depends on the number of accessories you choose. Some of the common accessories include backrest, headrests, frame angles, cushioning, wheel size, seat adjustment, ergonomics, and a lot more. Wheelchair users in Australia may qualify for government funding through National Disability Insurance Scheme.

How much is a simple wheelchair?

As far as the average cost of a simple wheelchair is concerned, you can buy one for less than $400. Lightweight wheelchairs are often cheaper compared to the other options. An aluminium transporter wheelchair can be bought for less than $350 but you can also choose to spend thousands of dollars on a wheelchair with a ton of accessories.

How much does a wheelchair cost in Australia?

The average price of a standard wheelchair in Australia is around $500. For a battery-powered wheelchair, you should expect to spend upwards of $6,000-$7,000. In short, there is a huge price range and the price depends on the material of the wheelchair, accessories, durability, domestic or imported, and brand.

Are portable wheelchairs covered by Medicare?

If you have read anywhere that the cost of wheelchairs is covered by Medicare in Australia, it is not true. However, there is no need to lose hope as Australian users needing wheelchairs are often covered by the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

This scheme is designed to help Australians who need mobility assistance devices. Any Australian with a disability and between the ages of 7 and 65 may apply. There are local community partners in all parts of Australia that can help you take advantage of this scheme.

Wheelchairs come under assistive technologies under the NDIS. This includes both manual as well as powered wheelchairs. In order to become eligible for funding by the NDIS, an assistive technologies assessor will determine the right solution for your particular requirements. They may choose to fund a part or cover the complete cost of your wheelchair.

What kind of wheelchair is best?

There is no standard answer to this question as everybody has different requirements. A wheelchair is a mobility aid and should be chosen based on the particular requirements of an individual. There are a lot of choices such as upright or reclining, self-propelled or motorised, and whether accessories are needed.

For instance, there are also portable wheelchairs that are easy to fold and assemble. Similarly, there are special wheelchairs that are designed for outdoor activities. If you are at risk of skin breakdown or pressure ulcers, there are specific accessories as well as wheelchairs that are designed to prevent such issues.

How long should a manual wheelchair last?

As far as the average lifespan of a manual wheelchair is concerned, it is typically 2 to 3 years and a maximum of 5 years. Keep in mind that the usable lifespan depends on the time for which the wheelchair is used. If it is used occasionally, it will obviously last much longer.

A wheelchair that is used daily will suffer a lot of wear and tear which means it won't last as long as a sporadically used wheelchair. The usable lifespan depends on a number of factors such as the materials from which it is made. Lightweight wheelchairs made of aluminium have an average life span of 2 years whereas wheelchairs made of steel typically last anywhere from 3 to 4 years.