Power Plus Mobility Blog - Power Plus Mobiliy Blog Site

December 30, 2020December 30, 2020

Outdoor Wheelchairs. Whats best?

magic-plus-maple-power-leaf-plus-toronto-wheelchair

Outdoor wheelchairs are great for those who are looking to improve their way of life with being mobile or simply moving around the house. If you face issues with your mobility needs, being able to enjoy the simple pleasures of life can be challenging. If you are a person who enjoys outdoor activities, then being mobile is a requirement. Fulfilling mobility needs outdoors is quite challenging. That is where the solution to buy an outdoor wheelchair comes in place.

For instance, an outdoor wheelchair gives you the opportunities of feeling confidence, social bonding and independence. With a different type of features added to it, outdoor wheelchairs are the best to enjoy life and gain independence. As usual, wheelchairs have some limitations.

Similarly, an outdoor wheelchair gives the boost in confidence. It allows its user to engage in different types of outdoor activities from themselves. As these wheelchairs gives you the best opportunity to enjoy your life, they are perfect to choose for outdoor life. In other words. what is an outdoor wheelchair? Here we bring you a set of outdoor wheelchairs to enjoy your life at your best.

Outdoor Wheelchairs – All-terrain Outdoor wheelchairs

These wheelchairs have a unique feature to go around different surfaces like water, ice, sand and different terrains. The one that makes this wheelchair unique is its wheels.

When you choose an all-terrain outdoor wheelchair, it will be useful to choose a manual one as they are easily transportable and have the ability to go through more tight places. These manual all-terrain wheelchairs have fewer parts leading you to have the chance to a less cost and maintenance. There will be no fear of running out of battery, and these outdoor wheelchairs can give you some exercise from your day to day life.

Outdoor Wheelchairs – Beach Wheelchair

Having issues in mobilities do not define you as a person that cannot go to the beach. We all love the beach, and a regular standard wheelchair will not give you the ability to landing on the beach. That is why you need outdoor wheelchairs like the beach wheelchair. Therefore, if you are one who frequently goes to the beach, you can easily rent a beach wheelchair and enjoy your life at best.

Outdoor Wheelchairs – Wheelchairs for pools

A pool wheelchair, also known as an Aquatic wheelchair is a perfect choice for outdoor wheelchairs. This pool wheelchair allows users to safely access and take showers, spas as normal.

A pool wheelchair is specially designed with waterproof corrosion materials that have resistance to corrosion. Also these are very good at working at slippery and wet surfaces. It will not spot tire marks in the pool, and you can use these outdoor wheelchairs to enjoy your life to the fullest at pools, aquatic places, showers and for the beach sides.

Outdoor Wheelchairs – Sports Wheelchair with Lightweight design

People who are facing disabilities can shouldn’t have restrictions to engage in some sports activities. There are different types of sports they can participate, and they need a special wheelchair for these activities with some additional features. Sports wheelchairs are designed with harsh, non-folding, and lightweight features. It’s stronger than a standard wheelchair.

They also got some different kinds of wheels lightweight aerodynamic wheels. The rear wheels are angled and front casters are smaller. These wheelchairs are designed to perform fast and easy to maneuver at speed with added features to different sports.

The various sports have different featured wheelchairs designed best for that sports activities. So you have to choose a sports wheelchair depending on the sport you engage with.

Conclusion

It will be great for one who is facing disabilities and difficulties in mobility to choose outdoor wheelchairs as they perform well in those scenarios. Indoor wheelchairs will not give the ability you expect from an outdoor wheelchair. If you choose the correct outdoor wheelchair for your needs, you can enjoy the real-world adventures and enjoy the world as it seems with sports or any activities. In conclusion, if you are searching for a wheelchair to engage in outdoor activities, these will be the perfect choices for you.

Proudly Canadian Manufacturer

December 24, 2020December 24, 2020

Wheelchair – 10 things to consider before buying

A wheelchair is a given wing for the user who cannot stand for themselves by their own feet. It is merely a device for the mobility purpose for the transportation of the client who cannot walk by injured, disabled, or illness reasons. So a wheelchair helps a person with disability to transport wherever he or she wants without other’s support.

The wheelchair user sits in the chair and controls it by his/her hand or by using an automatic system. It helps a person to more mobile. This device will come to the market in various versions, but there are some primary things to consider when buying one as this is a device you are going to use continuously in your lifetime. So what do you have to consider when choosing a new wheelchair? Let’s find out.

Manual or Power Wheelchair?

The first thing to look for when choosing a wheelchair is its requirement for you. Every person’s medical condition is not the same. Some may find it easier to control his/her wheelchair by using hands adequately, and some may encounter difficulties in moving their hands due to their conditions. For those who got issues in controlling themselves can use Electric devices. That will be the main thing to consider when you buy a new wheelchair and choose either manual or electric based on your conditions.

Measurements on your Body

An adult can’t use children’s wheelchairs. At the same time, children can’t handle a big adult device as usual. So when choosing a new one, consider buying it according to your measurements and find them in Adults, teenagers or Children section on your choice. Consider purchasing a new one that goes 1 to 4cm width than your hips.

Weight of the Wheelchair

As wheelchairs come in different sizes and weights, handling one device can be varied according to the physical strength. Some may find it hard to manage a more weighted device while some may find easiness on weight products. A good example of a light weight chair is our Magic Plus Manual Wheelchair. Weight of the wheelchair will be useful to consider when buying a new one with the perception of its weight.

Capabilities

You may need a wheelchair that can be folded into space or held in the same condition. Consider about your needing capabilities when choosing a wheelchair. A right wheelchair must offer you the facilities you expect from it. So it will be easier to select a new device that can be folded up and kept in a little space. If you need to do sports with it, consider finding a lighter one. It’s up to you for looking for the capabilities you like.

The material of the wheelchair made

A wheelchair is a device that you are going to use in the lifetime of yours. So it must not feel uncomfortable or bad fittings when you use it. In that case, a sheet is playing the leading role. Manual wheelchairs are made out of four types of sheets as

Steel
Titanium
Aluminum
Carbon Fiber

Steel sheets are somewhat heavier and with resistant qualities and aluminum ones are the lights, transportable sheets. If you seek for more lightweight, it is better to choose titanium or the carbon fiber ones. The decision has to make by you. Choose what you feel more comfortable and buy what you exactly want.

Surrounding you are going to be

You can’t buy the same ones to both indoor uses and outdoor uses. A wheelchair must be chosen by considering the environment you live in. Urban areas fitted devices may not fit into rural areas. Living in a wet zone, your wheelchair will always be prone to rust, and because of that, the climate should have to be considered when choosing a new one.

The accessories you need

A wheelchair user may be likely to add the features and accessories to his device to find comfort and the developed mobility. The user may need gears, bags or spoke guards in your device and your chosen new on having to be made with the compatibility of them. Customization ability of your wheelchair is a must-include feature for a new one.

Medical Needs and the Diagnoses of yours

Individuals who have the conditions of getting rashes and bedsores by using a wheelchair have to consider them when buying a new one. It is up to your medical counsellor, and you have to choose your device according to his recommendations. When purchasing a new wheelchair, look at whether it has the features your doctor recommended and help you prevent the long-term problems you may cause by your condition.

The wheels

Find whether your wheels are matching with your need for mobility or not. If you use your wheelchair at outdoor places for a long time, you may need a highly durable tire with your device as it faces various land surfaces. Also a tire should not seek continuous maintenance at all. Consider about using foam-filled tires as wheels as they are not likely to float on surfaces.

Maintenance and the Service of the wheelchair

You have to check whether your new wheelchair is capable of repairing it at home. You can’t send it to third parties as this device is the one you are using to transport. So a less service and maintenance is a must feature to include in the best wheelchair. It has to be more durable.

Wheelchairs are the devices you are using daily to your needs. Consider these ten points when you are buying a new wheelchair, and it will surely help you buy the best match for your condition.

Proudly Canadian Manufacturer

Power Plus Mobility is a proudly Canadian wheelchair manufacturer. We provide FREE education based training and up-to-date information in the wheelchair industry. Click here to join our newsletter to keep updated with FREE training and giveaways! If you wish to schedule a free in-house training session of our wheelchairs to your workplace, students, or an institution. Call us Toll Free at 1-(855)-614-0333 or email us at csr@powerplusmobility.com.

November 25, 2020November 26, 2020

What is an STP Wheelchair?

The word “STP”, is basically an abbreviation for “Super Tilt Plus”. Designed and manufactured by Power Plus Mobility Inc., a proudly Canadian company. In addition, The STP wheelchair is one of the highly sought after and greatest selling wheelchairs in Canada.

Tilting the STP Wheelchair

The STP tilts when you press on the tilting mechanism on the stroller handle. We can adjust the tilt angle to a maximum of 50 degrees. There is an indicator with a roll ball on the side of the wheelchair that measures the amount of tilt degree in the wheelchair. The standard tilt off the factory floor is 32 degrees. Normally, you don’t need more than the standard tilt but it can be achieved. There is a little lockout collar with an Allen key for tilt adjustment. We can adjust the tilt angle to a maximum of 50 degrees by adjusting the locking collar on the cylinder. We can also achieve a lower tilt angle by doing the same and adjusting the collar on the cylinder with an Allen key.

STP Wheelchair Smaller turning radius

We try to keep the footprint of the wheelchair as tight as possible so there is a small turning radius. Basically, this can be achieved it by taking the rear axle and moving it forward. Then mounting the caster journals inside the frame to achieve a very tight turning radius.

Predrilled holes on the upper frame for seat belts in STP Wheelchair

Upper frame predrilled holes:The upper frame of the STP has pre-drilled holes at the left and right sides of the frame. Basically, these holes are for the optional seat belt configuration. You no longer need to drill into the frame or mount the seat belts through the back canes. We can mount the seat belt to the frame by securing them to the pre-drilled holes. In conclusion, the option of a 2-point or a 4-point seat belt mounting point is achieved with this feature.

Key Features of the STP wheelchair:

Weight capacity

The STP wheelchair has many key features. STP wheelchair comes standard with a maximum weight capacity of 350lbs, but it can be upgraded to a higher weight capacity up to 600lbs with the heavy-duty package.

Seat-to-floor (STF) configuration

One of the key features of the STP wheelchair is that we can get to 12.25-inch seat to floor height. This is a low seat to floor height for a tilt wheelchair. We can achieve this by giving users an option to self propel the wheelchair with larger rear wheel and still achieve the lowest seat to floor in the market.

Back Angle

We can adjust the back angle of the wheelchair up to 15 degrees. If the STP wheelchair back angle cannot be achieved through the back hardware, we can still adjust it further through the wheelchair back canes.

Back Cane

The STP has a standard back cane height of 26 inches with the capability of adjusting the stroller handles. Basically, we can adjust the stroller handle by pressing the two buttons on the side of the handles. Even with the wheelchair tilted, you can have a comfortable position to handle it in any angle with this option.

Rear Axle

We can move the rear axle of the STP all the way back. The rear axle of the STP wheelchair is also height adjustable. This give s the ability to achieve many different seat-to-floor configurations without any compromises.

Caster and caster journal

We are able to mount the casters on the inside of the wheelchair. This gives the wheelchair a greater footprint for a greater turning radius. This is an ideal setup for a user that is tall and helps stabilize the wheelchair based on their unique accommodation.

Key options of the STP Wheelchair

Front rigging Footrest

There is a latching mechanism at the front of the STP wheelchair that is easy to push. When this mechanism is pushed, it unlocks the front footrest swing it in or out. If you are in a tight area and cannot swing the legs outwards. The front rigging can easily swing in to provide access for the user to get in or out of the wheelchair.

Colors

STP comes in black and silver as standard no cost colours. We can achieve any preferred colour if a colour code is available. Basically, there is no limit in colour preferences and customizing the wheelchair for a unique look.

Arms

The arm configuration is a no tool adjustment for easy height configuration. Simply pull the trigger under the arm and then adjust the arm height.

Anti-Tippers

The Anti-Tippers have a great option of retracting when not needed. We can retract the anti-tippers down so it avoids the wheelchair from tipping.

Fully removable arms

The arms are also fully removable from the STP wheelchair upper frame. We can achieve this by pressing the pin on the side of the arm closer to the frame and pulling it right up and away. This avoids any interference from the frame while moving the user from a bed to the chair easily from a side transfer perspective.

Brakes

We have two types of brakes in the STP Wheelchair.

Aluminum Braking system: This type of brakes is great to achieve a lightweight configuration on a wheelchair that isn’t used for any heavy-duty purposes. In other words, its light, easy and provides great braking power when required.

Steel Braking system: The steel braking system adds a bit more weight to the wheelchair but its very durable and great for heavy duty wheelchair configurations.

There are two different configurations for the brakes.

Pull to Lock Braking system: Pull to Lock Braking system allows the user to pull the brake handle up to engage the brakes. Therefore, this configuration would be ideal for users that prefer the pulling action to lock brakes. This brake system comes with 3 different lengths. We can configure this with a 3, 6, or 9-inch extension based on the user preference.

Push to Lock Braking system: This is the opposite of the pull to lock braking system. The user pushes on the brake handles to engage the brakes. This brake system comes with 3 different lengths. We can configure this with a 3, 6, or 9-inch extension based on the user preference.

How to order an STP Wheelchair?

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As a user, you can order an STP wheelchair from any of the authorized Power Plus dealers in Canada. Simply enter your postal code in the link here and search. This will give you all the closest dealers to you. If you are a dealer, simply download the STP wheelchair order form here or on the STP page. The order form is located at the bottom of the page along with other documentations.

Proudly Canadian Manufacturer

April 29, 2020April 29, 2020

We are here for you during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Update: April 29th 2020

Dear friend,

During this time of the COVID-19 pandemic and the global response to it is affecting all of us in some way or another. For those of you that are working in frontlines and to all our customers, we wanted to let you know that we are here for you during these times. We understand that this can be a difficult time for you and your loved ones, and we are trying to make things easier for you.

While we had to change many of our practices to ensure the safety of our employees and our clients, you can be assured its business as usual at Power Plus Mobility and we will continue to serve all our clients and their customers during this global pandemic.

To all our customers, if you have any concerns that are directly related to the Wheelchair and Seating products we encourage you to speak directly with our customer service representatives by calling us Toll Free 1-(855)-614-0333 or emailing us at csr@powerplusmobility.com. We had already been working on ways to make the process of ordering a wheelchair easier since early 2019. To add to it, we have now created more tools to help you through the process so you can work from home or in field a bit easier. Please visit our support page to access these tools. https://powerplusmobility.com/support

Our Sales Representatives are currently in field trying their best to work during this time and do their best with following good Personal Protective Measures using proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). You can also contact them directly for any assistance or questions you may have.

To all frontline workers, we wanted to thank you for your service during these times and we wanted to let you know that we are here for you. We are here to help with any orders or support you might need from us, whether its PPE equipment or any other emergency needs that we are able to provide as a proudly Canadian wheelchair manufacturer. Please contact us if you need us.

We are actively monitoring updates being provided by Public Health Canada, our Canadian government and other COVID-19 sources to stay informed about this situation. We will continue to post through our social media platforms as we hear any new updates that you may find useful.

Consider staying home during these times to avoid getting unwell and if you are unwell with the known symptoms of COVID-19: fever, cough, sore throat, headache and chills. Please try to quarantine yourself and get immediate medical help or contact your doctor for further advice on your situation. Always be diligent with standard hygiene practices.

March 19, 2020

COVID-19 pandemic

Announcement to all our Customers – March 19, 2020

Earlier this week, we announced changes to how Power Plus Mobility will run our business in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. I wanted to share some of these changes and some of my thoughts about what we’re facing and how we are responding.

Right now, our role as a medical device manufacturer is rapidly shifting, and we are striving to make the best decisions with two goals in mind: the first is to protect our customers, employees,

and their families. The second is to do the best we can to serve the Canadians who are looking to us for their mobility and independence needs.

With our commitment to our customers and our protection of our employees, we have reduced our working hours from 8 AM to 3 PM Monday to Friday.
As for our employees, we are currently running with 65% of our standard staff capacity.
Our internal stock levels to produce and manufacture products are very healthy; unfortunately, we are at the mercy of some of our local Canadian business partners and their business models that may influence our production timelines.
At this time, with the previous statements, we currently unable to provide an accurate ETA to orders on hand. We will do our best to communicate with you through out the process and provide our products in a timely manner.
To help minimize the spread and reduce the risk, we have introduced a NO demo or no return on demos policy, this will apply to anything with a manufacturing date stamp of March 2020.
Please contact your local account manager, our customer service department or me if you would like to discuss the clarity of the changes to our business model.

The situation and severity of this virus is changing day by day and hour by hour, I will inform you if we have made any further changes or if anything new arises.

Everyone is in the same place of uncertainty, as we are all looking for clarity. I remind you that we are all in this together. My best wishes to you and your families as we move forward together in strength.

Sincerely,

Jason Mohan

President | Power Plus Mobility Inc.