Heavy Duty Wheelchair

When To Order:

Heavy duty wheelchairs improve individual’s mobility and independence.

Transitioning an individual from a bariatric walker to a heavy wheelchair should be considered when:

The individual’s low level of endurance makes walking the distance required to accomplish daily goals too taxing.
The individual has limited lower extremity strength.
The individual can no longer walk frequently or at all.
The individual has significant light headedness, seizures, dizziness and other conditions creating a fall risk.

The clinical care team needs to document in the individual’s medical record the following:

The individual has a mobility limitation that impairs performance of mobility related activities of daily living (MRADL).
The individual has not expressed an unwillingness to use the wheelchair.
The individual can not use a cane or walker to resolve the mobility limitation.
The individual has sufficient upper extremity strength to self-propel in the wheel chair or has a caregiver to assist.
The individual can safely use the wheelchair in the home to accomplish their activities of daily living (ADL).
The individual weighs in excess of 250 pounds and the weight is documented.
The individual’s provider (MD, DO, NP or PA) must complete a written order.

The following considerations impact the selection of equipment:

Heavy duty wheelchairs come in seat widths of 22 and 24 inches.
Individuals with a weight between 250lb and 300lb qualify for a 22 inch seat width. Individuals with a weight over 300lbs qualify for a 24” seat width.
Measure the individual’s seated width at the widest point while the individual is seated in order to ensure the seat width will be appropriate.
Wheelchairs need to provide the individual access to different parts of the home, such as the bathroom and kitchen. Measure the doors to determine the size of the wheelchair that will fit through the door. The overall width of a wheelchair is the seat width plus 8 inches.
Ensure the individual has sufficient upper extremity strength, or a caregiver, to propel the wheelchair without being overly taxed.
Ensure individuals have seat cushions and back cushions to ensure proper seating and pressure sore prevention.

Select the correct accessories for the individual’s safety, proper seating and clinical needs: