Innovation and technology have led to creations that fit the needs of every individual. One of the greatest inventions of these technological advancements is stair-climbing wheelchairs. They give accessibility to disabled people to move easily on stairways and other obstacles.
The purpose of these chairs goes beyond providing mobility. They facilitate people with many safety and health benefits. With no assistance required to complete daily tasks, these chairs give a sense of independence that is crucial for the emotional and psychological well-being of everyone.
If you are someone looking to buy a stair-climbing chair, it is important to weigh the benefits and know the basic features.
In this guide, we will walk you through the benefits of having a stair-climbing wheelchair and the characteristics you should prioritize before finalizing a purchase.
Why Stair-Climbing Wheelchairs?
Mobility is one of the components that make life independent. Social contact, public interaction, daily chores, and maintaining the overall quality of life mobility are essential.
Stair-climbing wheelchairs are designed to provide freedom of movement to people with mobility impairments. They have a system that helps them navigate the obstacles in the stairway and make their way through it.
These wheelchairs give independence to disabled individuals that have to access buildings, work areas, or any other place that doesn’t have a ramp.
They have special attachments such as a pair of wheels that can be attached to the platform of the chair, and it can be leveled according to the stairs. This allows them to travel up and down a platform without worrying about anything blocking their path.
Moreover, they have other features, such as seating adjustments and built-in safety belts, that reduce the risk of any injury-inducing accidents. They come in different designs for easy transport and portability.
Is a stair climbing wheelchair Better Than a Stair Lift?
When it comes to stair mobility, there are two prominent options available in the market, stair lift and stair climbing wheelchair. Both of them are designed to provide easy movement around hard-to-climb stairs, but they serve this purpose differently.
A stair lift is a motorized chair attached to a track that runs along the staircase. It can be used without any assistance and is perfect for climbing the stairs of your house or any other place where this is installed. They are mostly used by old people who are in no need of a wheelchair and only need assistance while climbing a staircase.
A stair climbing wheelchair, on the other hand, is equipped with a permanent seat or can be attached to the rear end of a wheelchair. The device is easy to assemble and easy to take to the town and can be used on all sorts of stairs. They can be used to climb even narrow or even stairs with ease.
Stair climbing wheelchairs are designed for disabled people who use a wheelchair in their daily life and want to independently carry out their life chores. They are versatile, portable, easy to carry, and made to suit everyone. They don’t require specific tracks to be installed for their work. Whereas stair lifts are functional only for those stairways where they are installed. They cannot be carried anywhere else and limit the person using them.
Furthermore, the cost of installing stairlifts varies on the number of stairs and the type of stairs. stair climbing wheelchairs give their users easy movement and freedom of using all types of stairs. It is a one-time investment rather than a continuous expenditure.
How To Choose The Best stair climbing wheelchair? The Ultimate Guide
stair climbing wheelchairs have become important equipment for people who require help with their daily mobility. They make the daunting task of climbing stairs easy and help them maintain the independence they seek in their life.
Each person has specific needs, and there are different stair climbing wheelchair models which focus on the specific needs of every individual. Stair-climbing wheelchairs come in a variety of models, some larger, some with a greater battery backup, and some featuring better mobility.
The main purpose of these climbers is to make the life of the person using them easy, so they are detachable and compact in style to be easily stored. But with so many options, designs, and variants in the market, it is perplexing to choose one that fits all standards.
To ease this decision for you, we have compiled a list of features that you should prioritize while looking for a stair-climbing wheelchair.
Stick around till the end to learn everything about stair climbing wheelchairs and find out our top pick!
Measure Your Staircase
Stair climbing wheelchairs are designed to fit in every staircase and work efficiently. But to be on the safe side, you should measure the width of the staircase you use mostly. It can be your office stairways, any underground bus stations, stairs to your apartments, or the stairs in your house.
Doing this would ensure that you won’t end up buying a stair-climber that doesn’t fit the staircase you use most of the time. Also, measure the turning area if you have to ascend multiple staircases in a single go. These measurements will help you narrow down a device that is most appropriate for your daily life.
Easy Installation
As a device that is going to be a part of your daily routine, the first thing you should keep in mind is whether it can be assembled and disassembled quickly. You won’t have time to take the device out and spend a good amount of time just putting it together.
It should be something that eases up your life and doesn’t make it difficult. Look for devices and models that offer easy installation and check customer reviews before finalizing.
Adjustable
Adjustable settings are important to consider. They are for two people :
● The operator
● The passenger
The operator controls can be in the hands of the person sitting on the chair, or it can be in the hands of someone assisting the passengers. The settings should be easy to handle and comfortable for the passenger so that he can easily and safely climb up the staircase.
Safe To Use
Safety is a non-negotiable feature for a stair climbing wheelchair. The driver should accommodate the safety of the passenger. It should have safety belts, comfortable seating, and a braking system.
Maximum Weight Load
Different climbers have different weight capacities. Make sure that you check the maximum load the climber can carry, as it can vary depending on the manufacturer and mode. To be on the safe side, go for a model that can easily carry a normal person’s body weight.
Battery Life
Most stair climbing wheelchairs are battery-operated; check how long it takes for the device to charge and how long does the battery last. Look for climbers that come with a lithium battery instead of a lead-acid one because they are lightweight and have longer and better backups.
Consider Your Budget
Consider your budget before selecting a model. Compare different products and models to get the best value for your money.
Features of Modern stair climbing wheelchairs
With the advancements in technology and innovations, stair climbing wheelchairs have been modified to give their users the best facilities and provide them with the utmost comfort. Here are some of the features available in modern stair climbing wheelchairs:
User-Friendly Controls
Most modern climbers are designed to have one-press control and easy settings that can be managed by the operator and the passenger without any difficulty.
Safety Features
Safety is a heavily focused feature in all modern stair climbing wheelchairs; they have better-braking systems and secure seatbelts to secure their passengers.
Smooth and Comfortable Ride
Modern climbers are designed to reduce resistance and climb as smoothly as possible over a staircase, ensuring its user a comfortable ride.
Space-Saving Design
Compact design is one of the things manufacturers greatly focus on these days. The devices have a strong yet compact style that can be detached and stored easily.
Battery Backup
Most companies have now turned to the use of lithium batteries to provide better battery backup. This leads to less worrying about charging time and more focus on other important things.
Noise Reduction
Old stair climbing wheelchairs used to make a lot of noise. This was disturbing for the user and the people around as well. Modern stair climbing wheelchairs operate without making much noise and don’t cause any such discomfort.
Customization Options
As the needs of every person are different, devices nowadays provide customization to their users. This can include weight settings, seating adjustments, and height adjustments for different stairs.
Easy Installation
As they are meant to be a device of daily use, manufacturers have put effort into making the installation process as hassle-free as possible.
Weight Capacity and Size Options
Designed to fit everybody, modern stair climbing wheelchairs have a weight capacity of up to 160 kg and can be attached to wheelchairs of all kinds.
Durability and Reliability
As more people became aware of stair climbing wheelchairs, the more their needs grew. Manufacturers now put a heavy focus on creating quality stair climbing wheelchairs. These devices are made to withstand heavy use and still maintain their functionality for a long period of time.
Looking for the Best Stair-Climbing Wheelchair? Meet XSTO TR140C
Aiming to give freedom and mobility to its user XSTO TR140C has all that you need in an efficient and durable stair-climbing wheelchair. The lightweight design, long battery backup, adjustability, and easy management are incorporated into a single device to assist you in every way.
The device has a foldable design that can easily fit in your car trunk or in your store room. It has a total weight of 37kg, making it super lightweight and easy to carry everywhere.
Despite its compact design and less weight, the device is immensely strong. It can carry a total weight of 140kg with ease and still move at a speed of 17 MPH.
This stair-climber is water resistant, meaning you don’t have to worry about taking it out on a rainy day. The XSTO TR140C takes into complete account the comfort of our users.
The seat has comfortable leather seats and an adjustable headrest to keep your neck in a neutral position and avoid injury due to any shock. The device has an anti-misuse feature that lets it turn off automatically within 10 minutes of no activity.
Furthermore, to make your movement secure, the device has an automatic braking system that controls the movement of the device when it approaches the edge of the stairs. The safety feature is activated when the body of the device tilts slightly backward.
The control features are easy to manage, and even the elderly can use them without any assistance. Freedom of movement is something everyone should have the opportunity to avail, and XSTO TR140C is built to give independence to all people with mobility impairments.
Additional Source: How To Choose Stair Climbers For Disabled – XSTO Climbers
