GlobalA lot of the time, caregivers for the elderly are an elderly spouse. KARMA have taken this into consideration and designed chairs with the elderly caregiver in mind. Here are our top picks of wheelchairs for elderly users with elderly caregivers.
What wheelchair is best for a caregiver?
Ergo Lite Series
The Ergo Lite series is an excellent example of a KARMA wheelchair that was designed specifically with a caregiver in mind. In some cases, the caregiver is the spouse of the elderly wheelchair user, in which case it is necessary to take this into consideration when choosing a wheelchair.
When the caregiver is also elderly, it’s imperative to select a wheelchair that is ultra lightweight, easy to use, and easy to push. The weight of the Ergo Lite series start at just 8.6 kg, making it convenient for an elderly caregiver to lift for travel or storage. The Ergo Lite is equipped with a Push and Pull brake on the push handles to make braking and parking the wheelchair easier on the caregiver. They no longer have to continuously bend down to stop the chair. The Ergo Lite 2 has featured removable and swing away footrests for safe and easy transfers in and out of the wheelchair for both the elderly user and caregiver. The optional self propel rear wheels give the option for the user to propel and move around themselves, offering a chance for independence and freedom.
VIP2
VIP2 is the 2-in-1 positioning wheelchair that removes the burden of changing the user’s sitting position for caregivers. The VIP2 can be tilted in space as well as reclined with a simple push handle operation.
Elderly caregivers often don’t have the physical capacity to continuously reposition the wheelchair user to ensure their comfort and prevent pressure ulcers. The positioning options also remove the burden of having to transfer the user to a bed when the user wants to lie down, instead they can be reclined or tilted back. The optional J hook push handles also make the wheelchair easier to push for the elderly caregiver when the wheelchair has been repositioned.
The swing away, detachable footrests and detachable armrests make it possible for the user to be transferred into a bed in the lying down position. This method requires less effort on the caregivers part and can be safer.
Whichever wheelchair you choose, the needs of the user as well as the caregiver should be taken into consideration. Picking the right wheelchair can make life easier and most importantly, safer. Contact your local KARMA dealer to discuss your wheelchair needs, they can help you find the best wheelchair for you. If you are unsure if your elderly loved one needs a caregiver, here are some signs to look out for. If you are unsure about the benefits of hiring a caregiver, you can read our blog here.
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