How Wheelchair Power Assist Devices Improve Daily Life for Users
For many manual wheelchair users, getting around can be physically demanding, especially over long distances or uneven terrain. That’s where wheelchair power assist devices come in.
In this post, we’ll explore how wheelchair power assist technology works, and more importantly, how it can improve your daily life in practical, meaningful ways.
What Are Power Assist Devices?
Power assist devices are motorised add-ons designed to make manual wheelchairs easier to push or propel. They may also be referred to as powerpacks, power add-ons or wheelchair attachments.
Some power add-ons, like the Smoov, attach between the rear wheels of the wheelchair and are controlled by a button. Others, like e-motion power assist wheels, replace your manual wheels and activate automatically as you push on the handrims.
These devices are ideal for both transit wheelchairs with an attendant pushing and active manual wheelchair users who want to travel farther, reduce physical strain, or manage more challenging environments — without switching to a full power wheelchair.
What are the Benefits of Wheelchair Power Assists?
1. Reduce Physical Strain and Enjoy More Energy
One of the biggest benefits of wheelchair power assist devices is reduced wear and tear on joints. Over time, manual wheelchair propulsion can put significant strain on joints such as shoulders, elbows, and wrists. Many wheelchair users experience repetitive strain injuries, pain, or fatigue that limits their independence.
Wheelchair Power Assists help to overcome these challenges by:
- Reducing the force needed to push or propel a wheelchair.
- Assisting with more challenging terrains such as hills, slopes, and thick carpet.
2. Extend Your Travel Range
With a power assist device, wheelchair users and caregivers no longer have to base where they go on how much energy it will take to get there, or whether the terrain is unmanageable in a manual wheelchair. Holidays or destinations on your bucket list may suddenly become possible!
3. Increase Your Independence
For wheelchair users, adding a power assist device to a self-propelled wheelchair empowers you to do more on your own. For example, this could mean:
- Popping to the shops without assistance.
- Keeping up with friends on a social outing.
- Commuting to fulfil a career.
What a wheelchair power add-ons enables you to do will differ between people, but ultimately this increased mobility leads to more social interaction, as well as boosting your confidence and mental well-being. It’s the freedom to do what you want!
Are Wheelchair Power Assists easy to use?
Wheelchair Power Assists are a relatively new class of mobility aid and have been designed to fit into a modern lifestyle. These devices are typically:
- Portable, with lightweight construction and easily removable
- Compact, for practical, unobtrusive use and transport
- Compatible with most rigid or folding manual wheelchairs
Many have Bluetooth connectivity with a dedicated app so you can tweak settings to suit you, and are easy to maintain with rechargeable batteries and weather-resistant design.
What to Consider Before Buying a Wheelchair Power Assist
While wheelchair attachments can offer huge benefits, they are an investment and there’s some things you should consider before buying to make sure it’s going to work for you.
- Portability: Some power assists are heavier than others. Think carefully about where you want to go and how you need to transport it.
- Compatibility: Make sure the device fits and is safe and suitable for your specific wheelchair.
- Training: Most power assists are very intuitive but you’ll need a period of learning how to use it. Make sure you ask all the questions you need to and you’re confident before exploring the big wide world!
Summary
Power assist devices offer wheelchair users and care givers the freedom to go farther, with less effort, and more confidence. When you’re ready to explore the possibilities for you, just get in touch with one of our expert advisors. More freedom awaits!