Elderly people always wanted independence in mobility. As long as they can still move, they don’t want to be tied to a chair or bed. This is the reason why elderly people prefer using a wheelchair instead of having someone assist them. Having a Karman wheelchair will allow them to move on their own without asking for assistance.
Well, shopping for a wheelchair is not as difficult as you think it is. We listed down some of the top wheelchairs that elderly people can use without a hitch.
Top Wheelchairs for Old People
1. Karman S-305 Ergonomic Wheelchair
With all the Karman wheelchair reviews on the Internet right now, it’s difficult to find a specific model that would suit you. The Karman S-305 Ergonomic Wheelchair is one of the top choices if you are looking for a manual model for elderly people.
The Karman S-305 Ergonomic Wheelchair is the best option for elderly people with a reliable assistant to help them move around. This is because the chair is manually operated, which means that the user will have to manually operate it unless they have someone to push them.
It is perfectly adjustable, which means that you can make unlimited adjustments until you get the right setting. The chair has two seat widths (16 inches and 18 inches) you can adjust the seat to floor height as well from 18 inches to 20 inches.
The backseat and the cushion are extremely comfortable and they are covered with an anti-bacterial formula that’s very easy to clean.
Pros:
- Adjustable
- Easy to clean
- Lightweight
Con:
- A bit expensive
2. Karman S-Ergo 105 Wheelchair
We’ve got another Karman wheelchair on the list and this one is the Karman S-Ergo 105. Karman wheelchairs are definitely the best of the best and the S-Ergo 105 Wheelchair is a perfect choice if you want to go around without assistance.
It features an ergonomic S-shaped seat that can provide the best shape for the human body to sit comfortably. With this type of seat, the pressure from your back can be relieved, increase stabilization, and improve weight distribution as well.
This brand can be folded if you want. It would fit almost anywhere so you won’t have to worry about traveling. The weight is under 30 lbs. so it would be very easy to lift and keep inside the trunk of your car.
Another feature that you would love is the stylish oval-shaped tubes. It can provide a more streamlined appearance to the wheelchair and it improves the strength of the structure as well. This is the reason why tons of elderly are now switching to this brand of wheelchair.
Pros:
- Stylish
- Sturdy build
- Comfortable
Con:
- A bit expensive
3. Drive Medical Cruiser III
If you’re looking for an affordable and durable wheelchair, the Drive Medical Cruiser III Light Weight is the best option in the market right now. It’s made from solid materials and the price tag is not too expensive.
This particular wheelchair uses a frame made from carbon steel. Because of this, a seat guide won’t be needed and you will be using back inserts instead. You can also add other accessories to improve the comfort and functionality of the wheelchair.
This wheelchair comes with precision-sealed wheel bearings which will ensure that the performance of the wheelchair will remain the same for the years to come. Also, the armrests can be flipped back. The footrest can be elevated based on your preference.
Take note that although this chair is sturdy, it’s heavier than most of the other models in this list. It’s true that this wheelchair is lightweight, but compared to other models, it’s already considered heavy.
If you don’t mind the weight, this would be a good pick for elderly people who are on a tight budget.
Pros:
- Sturdy build
- Affordable
- Comfortable to use
Con:
- A bit heavy
4. Foshan Ergonomic Lightweight Wheelchair
The Foshan Ergonomic Lightweight Wheelchair is a perfect choice if you plan to use wheelchairs indoors. Although you can use this outdoors, this model was made specifically to provide more benefits to you when you are going around your house.
In terms of durability, the Foshan Ergonomic Lightweight Wheelchair is on par with the other models on the list. The frame is made from aircraft aluminum, but it’s a bit heavy weighing 37.5 lbs. Well, this weight is not really a big deal because it’s still considered ideal for traveling. Since it is a bit heavy, you can expect that it can support more weight as well. It can support up to 285 pounds of weight.
The seat cushion and the backrest are machine washable, which is a big upside because you can clean the chair without any hassle. You can just pop them in your washing machine and you can clean them successfully.
Another great feature is the 20” rear wheels. Take note that most wheels are only 15” and below. This model has a giant rear wheel that you can actually use outdoors if you want. Also, it has a wider design so even people who are overweight can use this without worrying about damaging the wheelchair.
Pros:
- Comfortable to use
- Perfect for indoor use
- Large wheels
Con:
- It’s a bit heavy
5. NOVA Lightweight Transport Chair
This is currently a popular choice on the list because it is used to transport the patient. One of the most important features of this wheelchair is its weight. This chair can be found in clinics and hospitals, which is why it is manufactured to be very easy to use.
This wheelchair is not too heavy so you can fold it for safekeeping. If you want to bring it with you on your travel, this will be perfect as well since it won’t take up too much space. You can place this in the storage room or you can fold it when not in use.
This wheelchair features a patented locking hand brake. This is added to allow you to control the speed of the wheelchair with ease. The 12-inch wheels are perfect for rough terrain. This will allow you to move around without a hitch. It comes with a small storage pouch as well where you can put smaller items like your keys, cards, mobile phones, and many more.
The padded desk arms are also amazing since you can remove them anytime you want. If you don’t feel like using a padded desk arm, you can just remove it and use the wheelchair.
Pros:
- Lightweight frame
- Adjustable seat belt
- Easy to maneuver and fold
Con:
- Weak construction
6. Drive Cougar Ultralight Aluminum Wheelchair
We’ve got another Drive on the list simply because they are really amazing and they often provide lightweight options to the users. For elderly people, lightweight wheelchairs are the best choice because they can bring them with them anywhere. It’s easy to fold and not too hard to store since it is not heavy.
The Drive Cougar Ultralight Aluminum Wheelchair is packed with a wide range of features that you will surely love. Aside from being lightweight, you can add a bunch of accessories to improve its functionality. It will add to the weight, but you can always remove them if you want them to be lighter.
The swing-away footrest can help keep your feet comfortable all the time and it has a rigidity bar that will provide more support to the user when moving. It has adjustable wheel locks as well that would allow you to make adjustments anytime you want.
If you plan to bring this for traveling, the wheelchair can be folded with ease. It comes with a forward folding back feature to reduce its size for traveling purposes.
The wheelchair is made from durable and tough materials so it won’t get damaged easily. Despite its weight, it can support heavy patients.
Pros:
- Perfect for traveling
- Lightweight
- Offers more support
Con:
- Poor folding mechanism
7. Medline K4 Basic Wheelchair
The Medline K4 Basic Wheelchair is a basic wheelchair that comes with all the standard features that you need. There are no extra features and no complicated accessories so it’s extremely durable and inexpensive.
This wheelchair is crafted from carbon steel so it can handle more weight compared to other wheelchairs. This wheelchair can actually support up to 300 lbs. which is extremely amazing because most of the other wheelchairs can only handle up to 250 lbs. especially the lighter models.
The seat back and the armrests can be adjusted. You can make them higher or lower depending on your choice. If you’re a bit tall, you can adjust the back seat and the armrests to make sure that you won’t be uncomfortable while using them.
The chair only weighs around 33 lbs. so it is definitely at the same level as the other light models on this list. If you want sturdiness and basic features, the Medline K4 Basic Wheelchair is your best bet.
Pros:
- Basic features
- Lightweight
- Durable construction
Con:
- Doesn’t have advanced features
Final Thoughts
Getting a Karman wheelchair is definitely a good idea, but there are other amazing options on the market that you can check. They are the best when it comes to wheelchairs and the company has a wide range of products to boot, but it’s better to know the other brands before you decide.
If you’re looking for top-quality wheelchairs for elderly people, we’ve got a list of wheelchairs that you can choose from.