There is a wonderful option available for people who have a difficult time walking from place to place, an option that many people just don’t know about. The product is called a “Transport” or “Companion” Chair, and they are gaining quickly in popularity. How is a Transport chair different from a wheelchair?
A wheelchair enables a person who cannot walk to get from place to place while seated by propelling themselves forward using two large rear “drive” wheels
which they push with their arms to move forward. This allows the individual to get around independently.
Wheelchairs are usually made of steel, and are built to withstand the rigors of all day, every day use. Accordingly, they weigh about 40 lbs, which makes them bulky and difficult to take anywhere.
A Transport Chair serves a different purpose, so it is constructed without the two large rear wheels. Instead it has only four small wheels, which are generally about 8 to 10 inches in diameter. When seated, a person is not able to self-propel in a transport chair, since there is no where to push with their arms. So what would be the advantage? Well, often times an individual who can walk around in their home just fine cannot manage walking longer distances. Getting to and from the car, into Church, Doctors offices and stores is impossible in a timely manner. By the time they get in they are exhausted, and their companion is worn out too! A transport chair is meant for that purpose. The best ones are constructed of lightweight aluminum, and weigh less than 20 lbs –about half the weight of even a “lightweight” wheelchair. They fold up to fit conveniently into the trunk or back seat of a car.
Most insurance companies do not cover the expense of a transport chair, since they are regarded more as a convenience item instead of a medical necessity, but models which can accommodate users of under 275 lbs can be purchased for less than $200.
So get up and go! A transport chair is a great way to make your life easier, making it so much more pleasant to get out and about…and all the while saving the back of your companion. Transport chairs are available and on display at the Freedom Medical Solutions showroom on Georgia Highway 85 in the Hudson Plaza Shopping Center in Fayetteville. For more information call 678-817-7281.
