Powered Wheelchairs

A power wheelchair is for someone who cannot propel a manual chair far enough, often enough, or safely enough to get through their day. That includes people who could push a manual chair but should not, because years of propelling damages shoulders, and preserving them matters more than the exercise.

Power wheelchair or scooter

These are different things. A scooter suits someone who can walk short distances, has good trunk control and sits reasonably upright, and mainly needs help covering ground. A power wheelchair suits someone who needs support to sit well, has limited arm or hand function, or uses the chair all day. Power chairs turn in tighter spaces, take positioning and seating systems, and can be driven by controls other than a standard joystick.

Where the drive wheels sit

Front, mid and rear wheel drive chairs behave differently, and it is one of the first things decided at assessment. Mid wheel drive turns in the tightest circle, which suits indoor use. Front wheel drive climbs obstacles and handles soft ground well. Rear wheel drive tracks straighter at speed and feels most predictable outdoors. None is simply better, and the right answer depends on where the chair will spend its time.

Power seating

Tilt, recline, seat elevation and powered legrests are not luxuries on a chair someone sits in all day. Tilt shifts weight off the sitting bones for pressure relief, and being able to do that without asking anyone is the difference between it happening on schedule and not happening. Seat elevation changes what a person can reach, and who they can talk to at eye level.

Funding and assessment

Power wheelchairs are assessed and specified by an occupational therapist or physiotherapist, who determines which ADP category applies. ADP funds up to 75 percent of the approved price for eligible Ontario residents. Contact us to talk through the options or to arrange an assessment.