Electric wheelchairs are nice for those who don't have the mobility to get around at all without one; however, they are a luxury for a lot of other people with disabilities, especially those who are able to be mobile using less-expensive manual wheelchairs.
There comes times, though, when an electric wheelchair might come in handy, but no one wants to go to the expense of purchasing one for limited use.
If you're planning a trip or on attending some other event that makes it necessary for you to have increased mobility, you will find that an electric wheelchair rental can be your best option.
By necessity, an electric wheelchair is much heavier and bulkier than a manual chair, because it has to carry around the increased weight of the motor and battery.
Therefore, you will also find that these chairs are much sturdier for use on rough terrain.
Some of them are even equipped to climb stairs.
If you've ever priced one of these chairs, you know that the purchase price can be anywhere from $2,000 to around $30,000 depending on the type of chair you buy.
No wonder many people can't afford them and need to take advantage of electric wheelchair rentals.
To find electric wheelchair rentals in your vicinity, check in the yellow pages under the term "Medical Equipment".
Once you've found the listings you want, call several of them to find out prices and other relevant facts.
For instance, some of these companies can adjust a chair for the person who will be using it, and others expect you to use it "as is".
You might also check with your doctor's office or hospital to see if they have any recommendations as far as electric wheelchair rentals are concerned.
They may be able to steer you to a reputable company.
Be sure to check on a number of things when making inquiries about renting an electric wheelchair.
If you need an all-terrain chair, find out if the company has one available.
If you're on Medicare, be sure and ask if they will accept Medicare payments and if they'll file the paperwork for you.
Check on the availability of joysticks and which side of the chairs they come on.
You'll probably also want to know about things like battery life, up-front fees, monthly rental charges, and the cost of replacement batteries.