Standing wheelchairs are a type of assistive device, similar to a standing frame which enables wheelchair users to raise the chair from a seated position to a standing position.

These power standing mobility wheelchair allows the user to be in a sitting position and also use to go upright into a standing position, providing an eye-level interaction between people.

Stand wheelchairs are used by people with either paraplegia or quadriplegia as a variety of different standing options are available to accommodate persons with mild to severe disabilities including spinal cord injury, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, stroke, Rett syndrome, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, post-polio syndrome and more.

The heavy-duty sit to stand wheelchair are typically used for environmental access and pressure relief. You can control the speed of the chair through the easy to access joy-stick controller, which is positioned perfectly within reach of any type of user. You can also easily adjust the length of the arms in order to better suit your needs. According to Harvard Medical School, Professor Robert H. Shmerling has stated that long hours of sitting down can be linked with:

• obesity
• diabetes
• cardiovascular disease
• cancer (especially cancers of the colon or breast)
• premature death.

Powered Mobility Standing wheelchair

The physical health benefits of a standing wheelchair:

• Improvement in breathing

Standard wheelchair users tend to develop raspatory compromise due to having a restrictive function on the upper part of the body, it also can be due to being in a seated position for a long period of time which means that the respiratory area is affected by pressure and gravity.

The standing lightweight, adjustable wheelchairs allow for a more secure way of evenly breathing due to being in a standing position which enables the spin to be stabilised and the pressure on the respiratory system is reduced. Thus, allowing the oxygen to flow better throughout the body. As a result, the body feels less tired when breathing and improves the overall function of the body.

• Enhancement in blood flow circulation

The circulatory system has a strong connection with the respiratory system. As a result, standing enhances the respiratory system to breathe better and thus allows the oxygen to spread more effectively around the body.

When sitting down for a long period of time, the blood in your body usually stagnated. This is why it is recommended by doctors and scientists to keep moving around and not to stay in one position for too long. The standing wheelchair enables users to move from a sitting position to a standing position and vice versa, enabling the significant improvement of blood flow circulation in lower limbs and reduce the risk of thrombosis.

Recliner wheelchair

• Reduction of skeletal deformities and pressure sores

A recent study by the Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology of North America (RESNA) has mentioned that is it strongly believed that people who are constantly in a sitting position can benefit from routine passive standing. Routine passive standing refers to moving from a sitting position and vice versa. It also demonstrated that the use of routine passive standing can reduce skeletal deformities and pressure sores as standing wheelchairs enable users to move rather than sit in one position and put unnecessary pressure on a certain point of their body.

• Maintains bone mineral density

By moving from a sitting and standing position, your body is maintaining bone mineral as the body uses the bones to go from sitting to standing. Standard wheelchair users can lessen their bone density due to not moving around as much which may weaken the bone strength and cause the risk of osteoporosis.

Standing wheelchairs can also be advantageous due to strengthen your posture with little or less effort.

• Enhances bladder and bowel function

Gravity plays a major role when it comes to getting rid of bad bodily fluids. Standing wheelchairs aid in emptying the bladder and bowel.

The standing position of the mobility aid device reduces the risk of infections to incomplete urine draining, avoiding kidney and ladder stone at the same time in the case of the bladder.

In reference to the bowel, the effect of being able to extend the trunk will make the whole system function more efferently and regularly.

Standing Electric Wheelchair

• Reduces spasticity and contractures

Spasticity which is also known as the high muscular tone is an imbalance of the central nervous system, which affects movement in different body areas. It is an exaggerated tension affecting muscles when no contractions are occurring (immobility) and causes rigidity. Additionally, spasticity induces muscle contracture.

Changing position will cause muscles in lower limbs to stretch and may help to loosen them, reducing spasms and spasticity-induced contractures. If the user has a powerchair without standing function, they will need someone to help them stretch their muscles, but with a standing powerchair, they can do it independently and more times throughout the day.

Other benefits of standing wheelchairs:

• Independence

The independence of a person with a disability can be increased due to standing wheelchairs. As it enables a wheelchair user to perform activities that a standard wheelchair couldn’t. For example, being able to reach higher levels of cabinets rather than relying on somebody to help. It also lessens the need for home modifications reduces the level of attended care.

• Safe and easy transfers

The standing wheelchair allows for easy and safe transfers due to the wheelchair going into a standing position. This provides assistance to family members and caregivers.

Standing Reclining Electric Heavy-duty Wheelchair Stand Transformer 80Ah! -GILANI ENGINEERING

• Social participation and engagement

Having a new height when standing can give powerchair users more confidence when it comes to engaging in social activities. They can interact whilst making eye contact with the people in their environment, making them feel more integrated into social situations and society.

Standing power chairs have many benefits, which are together with the benefits of seat elevation, often perceived as a luxury.

Feel free to contact our team to rent a standing wheelchair before you buy!