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Wheelchairs, scooters, and other mobility devices are crucial for many stroke survivors’ rehabilitation and recovery, but it’s essential to select a product that meets your unique situation. Technology is constantly improving, so it’s important to talk with a professional before purchasing, renting, or using any mobility device. Even a manual wheelchair will require some fitting and training to avoid accidents and injuries.

“If possible, go to a clinic that specializes in mobility products,” said Rory Cooper, a professor of rehabilitation engineering at University of Pittsburgh and director of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Center of Excellence for Wheelchair and Related Technology. “These products are complex, your needs are complex, and your needs are likely to change.”

Recently developed guidelines for manual wheelchairs stress the importance of proper fit, the benefits of selecting the lightest possible wheelchair, and the necessity for training, Cooper said. Manual wheelchairs now are made with titanium and other lighter materials to reduce overall weight. Some wheelchairs made from metal-like materials provide the added benefit of not activating metal detection devices at airport security.

 “These chairs are easier to propel and easier to transfer,” Cooper said. “Weight may be especially relevant for stroke patients because many times the person pushing the chair, or loading or unloading the chair, may be a spouse or caretaker who is older.”

Besides weighing less, many newer wheelchairs are designed with special rear axles that make them easier to steer, Cooper said. The best powered wheelchairs utilize mid-wheel drive, Cooper said.

“Mid-wheel drive chairs are easier to operate and allow more maneuverability, especially in the home,” Cooper said.

The new PAPAWs (push-rim activated power assisted wheelchairs) are combinations of manual and electric chairs, and may be ideally suited for many stroke patients. When a person pushes on one or both wheel rims, a battery-powered motor helps propel and steer the chair. Each wheel can be adjusted separately to accommodate a patient with weakness or paralysis on one side. PAPAWs can be used as manual wheelchairs, and sometimes are incorporated into a patient’s physical therapy. In addition, they are lighter and easier to transport than traditional power chairs.

Certainly, one of the most exciting developments in power wheelchairs is the introduction of robotic mobility devices such as the iBOT 4000. Developed by the inventor of the Segway human transporter and manufactured by Johnson & Johnson, iBOTs can travel easily over uneven terrain such as gravel and grass, climb over curbs and even up stairs. The iBOT’s seat also rises so users can converse at eye level or reach items from a shelf. Other robotic mobility devices are on the market and are being developed, but Cooper said none have as many features as the iBOT.

Electric scooters, traditionally used for transportation outdoors, now are easier to use inside the home or office. And, if you’re traveling, companies like Scootaround rent scooters, wheelchairs, or other mobility devices and can deliver them to your final destination.

In addition to design improvements, the electronics and batteries of power wheelchairs and scooters have improved making them safer and easier to use, Cooper said.

Reprinted with permission from the National Stroke Association