Wheelchairs are mobility aids that provide a means of safe transportation for people who cannot walk independently. Some wheelchairs are manual, meaning the user pushes themself, while others move via an electric motor. Transport chairs are lightweight, portable chairs that are meant to be pushed by a caregiver rather than the user. Other wheelchairs have a commode built in for people that cannot use a traditional toilet. Many chairs have adjustable seats, arms, and foot rests for increased comfort.
If you use a manual push wheelchair, wearing wheelchair gloves can protect your hands from wear and tear. Full-finger styles help protect the entire hand, while half-finger styles provide extra dexterity. Many gloves are made of durable leather, which provides traction, while others are made of a spandex material for flexibility. Rubber pads on the palms help improve grip and prevent the hands from slipping. Several Hatch wheelchair gloves contain LiquiCell, which is a fluid that helps relieve pressure in the palms without adding bulk. We also carry gloves that have a nylon mesh back to help keep your hands cool. If you experience friction burns around the wrist, gloves with extended cuffs help protect that area.
Wheelchair ramps are designed for wheelchair users to transition over obstacles such as door tracks and stairs smoothly and with ease. The threshold ramps are available in different heighths to go over door entrances and will not interfere with the door track itself. The surface of the ramps feature tread or rubber for extra traction. An item such as an EZ-Access wheelchair ramp is also helpful when it comes to transporting the wheelchair in and out of the car. These trifold ramps utilize a top lip extension that allows you to easily clear the bumper of your vehicle with damage.
Other helpful items for those in wheelchairs with limited range of movement are reachers and grabbers. These tools extend your arm range and can help you grab items off the floor or on a shelf that are further away. This lightweight reacher has rotating jaws to easily fit into hard-to-reach spaces. A folding reacher grabber is available for easy storage. We also carry a leg and foot lifter, which is used to position your legs when you are seated or when getting into bed. The device consists of a 32" aluminum rod with loops at each end. You place your foot through one loop and grab onto the other loop to help lift your foot off the ground. All of these tools help prevent injury and make daily tasks more convenient.
