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A Brief History Of Electric Wheelchairs

June 28th, 2010 No comments

Perhaps the greatest scientific contribution that Canada has made to the entire world is that of the electric wheelchair. Developed by Dr. George Johann Klein in the 1950s, this has been considered as a wonder invention in the field.

The electric wheelchair came as a great relief to the second World War veterans. Thousands of war victims were benefited by it. The electric wheelchair of Dr. Klein underwent many modifications. Today, there are many enhanced variants of it catering to specific customer needs.

Until the coming of the electric wheelchair, the existing chairs catered only to the needs of paraplegic individuals. But Dr. Klein's invention stands apart in that it can also be used by quadriplegics. The wheelchair had benefited thousands of Second World War veterans and will hence be remembered forever.

The electric powered wheelchair can be used not only by paraplegics and quadriplegics; doctors now advise patients with cardiovascular problems to use them. The wheelchair has become customized. It is equipped to be used both indoors and outdoors. Some wheelchairs are portable.

The main functions of an electric wheelchair are to help in movement. Besides going forward and backwards, movements like stretching and titling can also be done. Its movement is controlled by joy sticks; chin controls or sip/puff controls. We can control the wheelchair's direction, speed or other parameters by these joysticks.

The price of an electric powered wheelchair can be immense. The prices range from $1000 to $3000 for ordinary models while advanced models can cost $10,000 or more. They also may need frequent upkeep and repair work done. These are some of the disadvantages that electric wheelchairs present.

Are you looking for a power wheelchair? If so, head over to the electric powered wheelchairs web site.

Things To Consider Before You Buy A Chair Stair Lift

June 5th, 2010 No comments

In terms of prices for chair lifts for stairs their is a wide range of difference between brands. The costs fluctuate because of several reasons. A few of those reasons are the style or brand of stair lift you are looking at, and also the shape and style of stairs you currently have in your house.

Prices of chair lifts for stairs will differ depending on if one will obtain some sort of financial assistance from the government or other. Also, several opt for a pre-owned or renovated model compared to a brand new stair lift. After a little bit of careful research it is safe to say that investing above $2,500 is common for a simple straight stair lift. However, anticipate spending more than $10,000 should you have curved stairs and you are having the lift installed by a professional.

This is a major decision which is why you need to carefully research before you buy and evaluate manufacturer prices. Once again from my research it is a complicated purchase decision since most manufacturers aren't always willing to give you a price estimate over the telephone. There are a couple of obvious reasons for this. First, they have to assess your requirements to consider what stairway lift might be best suited for you. Second, they have to determine the size and shape of your stairs along with figuring out whether or not they will do the unit installation.

If I were to provide you with top tips on how to handle this situation, it would be this: Try to get the vendor to provide you with a "ballpark" range based on your situation and needs. If they are unable to supply you this number, then simply proceed to another company.

One of the very best methods to decrease your stairway lift cost is to locate and buy a used or refurbished one. A few of the ideal areas to look are by asking the manufacturers themselves, classifieds, as well as auction sites like Ebay.com. If, however, you chose to follow this path then negotiating a warranty with your purchase is highly advisable. By doing this you can get some security of your chair lift for stairs purchase if for whatever reason something happens to it.

Another option you might want to consider is leasing a stairway lift. This might very well be a great option if your manufacturer will support this option. So, by now you may be all anxious because these things are quite expensive. However, research has told me that these companies are flexible on how you finance your purchase. Some options might be by refinancing your home or any other loan arrangements.

It is unfortunate, but I have not found many agencies or subsidies that grant funding for this type of purchase. That being said, it does not hurt to ask your insurance company if they cover some of the cost of a chair lift for stairs.

For more info concerning chair lifts for stairs please check out: http://www.liftsfordisabled.com. This is a fantastic site regarding both stairway lifts, chair lifts, scooter lifts, and even wheelchair lifts. The information is clearly laid out and extremely useful.

categories: stair lifts,lifts for disabled,lifts for stairs,disability,handicap,mobility,health,mobility,disability