Over the last few decades, power chairs have made a great degree of difference to the lives of the disabled.

Power Chairs, which are otherwise called motorized wheelchairs, have given disabled a great degree of independence. With power chairs, disabled people are able to lead almost independent lives. They are able to move freely about their homes and outside with no assistance.

Medicare spends around $1.5 Billion annually on power chairs and power operated vehicles (mobility scooters). Most disabled people get power chairs through their Medicare benefits. Otherwise, power chairs tend to be expensive.

To be eligible for a power chairs under Medicare, the individual has to show that he or she is not able to manage with other assistive devices such as a cane and a walker. Most often physicians need to declare that an individual requires power chairs.  Once this is done, individuals need to go in for examination and trials for power chairs.

There are several different designs of power chairs available. Most power chairs can be operated through a joystick like device. However, for individuals who have weak or no use of their hands there are some power chairs that can be operated through chin and leg movements.

To qualify for a free power chair, the person must require assistance with one or more activities of daily living listed by Medicare, which are dressing and grooming, using the toilet, bathing and eating in the home’s dining area. In addition, qualification for power chairs also requires the person to be unable to walk using a cane, a walker or a manual wheelchair.

Power chairs are great way for disabled people to lead an independent life or a life with minimum assistance. Most of the power chairs have a great range of motions and individuals on them can move easily through small areas and navigate sharp corners.

Although power chairs offer disabled individuals with a great degree of freedom, caution should be exercised while using them on the roads. It may be difficult to navigate power chairs through narrow and crowded streets.

Individuals on power chairs should also be careful while crossing an open ground, a dirt road, or any soft surface, to prevent sinking the tires into the ground. Snow-covered grounds are dangerous because it is very hard to control a motorized wheelchair on an icy surface.

Because of the power of power chairs, extra care is necessary when around children and seniors.

In the last 15 years, the motorized wheelchair (also known as the power wheelchair) has made it possible for hundreds of thousands of Americans to regain their mobility and live their lives independently. The vast majority of these power wheelchair owners received their equipment through Medicare’s power mobility benefit. What is the power mobility benefit and how does a person qualify for an power wheelchair? The next few paragraphs will give you some insight into Medicare’s guidelines.

Medicare considers a beneficiary's ability to safely participate in one or more Mobility Related Activities of Daily Living (MRADLs). These activities of daily living include dressing, grooming, toileting, bathing and eating in customary locations within the home (which can include assisted living centers). In order to qualify for an power wheelchair, a person must need assistance with one or more of these daily living activities.

This means if a person only needs help going to the grocery store, the shopping mall or someplace else outside the home, Medicare will not pay for an power wheelchair. The person must have at least one daily living activity need inside the home to be considered for an power wheelchair.

If a person needs mobility assistance inside the home to perform daily living activities, the next thing Medicare is going to examine is if a person can get by safely with a cane, walker or manual wheelchair. Since these are less expensive items, Medicare wants to try them first. Many people may be able to get around with a cane or walker for part of the day, but then weaken or get tired as the day goes on. Others may not be able to safely walk the home with a cane or walker due to frequent falls. Many people will not be able to propel themselves in a manual wheelchair due to lack of strength or other upper body conditions.

Once a person has determined that he or she needs additional mobility assistance inside the home and other mobility aids (cane, walker, wheelchair, etc.) have been ruled out, it is time to consult a physician or medical equipment company to initiate the power wheelchair evaluation and approval process.

A motorized wheelchair as the name implies is a motor-powered wheelchair, hence it is often referred to as a power wheelchair. To operate a motorized wheelchair outdoors, make sure first to use the seatbelt. You should install a seatbelt if the unit does not have one. Likewise, attach wheelie bars if the unit has none.

A motorized wheelchair offers great speed that is why you need to be careful when moving. You do not want your arms or feet extending out during a high-speed maneuver. Foot-support straps are necessary to avoid injuries should your foot falls from a pedal. In addition, take extra care when heading down short and sharp turns so as not jam the foot pedals. These wheelchairs feature automatic brakes but avoid sudden stops as this can damage your motorized wheelchair. Should you need to go fast, you can use the joystick control to keep the brakes from engaging.

Medicare “Power Mobility” Benefit

For Medicare beneficiaries, it is possible to get a motorized wheelchair free but of course there are certain qualifications that the person must meet to get this Medicare benefit.

Being Safe