Guide to Pediatric Wheelchairs

Offer stable, easy-to-use pediatric wheelchairs to your facility's patients or your rental business customers
By Niki Hampton

Pediatric wheelchairs offer convenience, independence and security for kids who need wheelchairs to get around. By offering these to your patients or customers, you can assist them with a wider range of needs and feel good offering them the security they need while enhancing their ease of use.

Pediatric power wheelchairs come in a large variety of materials, styles and features, including pediatric power wheelchairs, used pediatric wheelchairs, pediatric manual wheelchairs, and sport pediatric wheelchairs. When determining the right pediatric wheelchairs for your assisted living or medical rental business, you should:

1. Survey your clients and patients to learn what features and accessories they would find most useful in pediatric wheelchairs you would make available to them.

2. Purchase pediatric wheelchairs meeting your identified specifications from reputable manufacturers and distributors.

3. Look for expansive warranties, solid return policies and flexible financing options when purchasing pediatric wheelchairs.

Action Steps

The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Decide on the features and accessories you want for the pediatric wheelchairs you'll offer There are many different materials, features and accessories available for pediatric wheelchair. This includes titanium (for strength), lightweight (for easier portability by the user) and baskets or bags (for carrying items, such as groceries). The pediatric wheelchair could be either electric powered or manual, so you might choose to have a couple of each to meet the different needs of your patients.

I recommend: Find reviews of pediatric power wheelchairs and pediatric manual wheelchairs, plus guidance on finding suppliers of pediatric wheelchairs at The Wheelchair Site and the United Spinal Association. Also, consider talking with a medical professional about the types of pediatric wheelchairs that are best physically for those that use them. Whirlwind Wheelchairs offers an extensive guide for matching the patients specific needs to the perfect wheelchair.

Purchase pediatric wheelchairs from reputable, proven manufacturers and distributors When looking for suppliers of pediatric wheelchairs, find a company that has been in business a long time, keeps up with the wheelchair technology and industry and has great references.

I recommend: Convaid, Inc. carries a large supply of adult and pediatric portable wheelchairs and strollers. They offer such features as removable fabric (for easy cleaning) and outdoor tires. Colours Wheelchair manufactures sport wheelchairs designed for rugged outdoor use. These are generally custom made for athletes, but they also offer a selection of everyday and children's chairs. Also, check out their extensive accessories area.

Look for a favorable warranty and financing from a supplier of pediatric wheelchairs When you find the wheelchair styles and accessories you want, it's time to take a look at the pricing, warranties and policies. You want a company that covers damage, repairs and offers the parts needed for the repair. You also want a test time where if the chair is not going to work for your residents, you can return it. Remember, pediatric wheelchairs are not cheap, especially if you need more than one, so unless you have equipment start-up money in the bank, you are going to need financing.

I recommend: Drive Medical Design & Manufacturing offers a large variety of folding and portable wheelchairs and is offered through a variety of dealers, so you can find a local representative which saves on time and shipping costs. American Wheelchairs offers used pediatric wheelchair that were either returned for cosmetic (not mechanical) reasons, or where showroom floor models.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

Consider having a representative from the pediatric wheelchair manufacturer train your staff and patients on how to properly use the wheelchair.