Power AND Portability. The Advantages Of Power In Your Folding Or Non-Folding Wheelchair.

If you’ve ever wondered, “can you fold up an electric wheelchair?” the answer is yes. Power-assisted wheelchairs are a great choice for people seeking a little extra power while using a lightweight foldable manual wheelchair for easy transport and storage.

Less heavy than a traditional powered chair, it is perfect for users on the go. There are many power add-ons available in the market. Some use a compact battery system with an in-wheel motor, some use a joystick for control and others use a boost system where the occupant manually gives the wheel a light push and the electric motor uses a far greater proportional boost to smoothly propel the wheelchair along.

Glide offers both a joystick-controlled power-assist chair (called the JoyGlide) and a boost model (called the BoostGlide, of course!). Both are foldable, lightweight, and portable wheelchairs. They are highly manoeuvrable and easy to navigate through tight spaces like crowded cafes. The JoyGlide has a battery system and in-wheel motor located on one side, making it easy to fold the chair for transport or storage. The BoostGlide has a power-assist motor so when the hand rim is pushed, the drive motor takes over. Both can travel 15kms on a single charge.

If an individual already has a manual wheelchair, Glide has a big range of power add-ons available to virtually turn most existing chairs into an electric wheelchair.

For more information on power add-ons, read our article or check out the full range on the Glide website here.

The advantages are powerful.

As their name suggests, power-assist wheelchairs benefit from their own power source. With advances in technology and innovation over the years, power-assist wheelchairs now offer users a new level of independence. By improving mobility, the right wheelchair can also help improve social participation and quality of life while simultaneously reducing pain and discomfort.

Providing the perfect alternative for manual wheelchairs, it’s easy to see why power-assist solutions are becoming such a popular choice for wheelchair users wanting to live life on their own terms.

One of the disadvantages of large, powered wheelchairs is their bulk and weight, which often requires vehicle modifications or maxi-cabs for transport. This can have a knock-on effect, restricting your ability to visit loved ones or travel, thus restricting social interactions.

A foldable manual wheelchair with a power add-on delivers both power and portability.

No car modifications

The number one reason why folding power-assist chairs are becoming such a popular choice amongst manual wheelchair users is the fact that costly car modifications aren’t required, making transport and travel so much easier.

Without the need for ramps or hoists, folding powered chairs are both lightweight and easy to take apart, making them easy to stow and remove from a vehicle.

Easy storage

Simplicity when it comes to storage is also a big benefit for folding power-assist chairs. Taking up much less space than conventional powered chairs, they can be folded up and stored at an office desk or inside the home without the need for a dedicated storage area. If you have a power add-onto your manual wheelchair, you can easily remove the wheels or batteries to save even more space.

Carer convenience

The ability to fold or dismantle the wheelchair also makes it easier for carers. As a result of the lightweight frame and the ability to easily add and remove batteries or the wheels when required, the chair is much easier to move and handle.

Offering all the benefits of a conventional powered wheelchair, mixed with the flexibility of a manual chair, folding power-assist wheelchairs are a great option for wheelchair users due to their ease of transport, storage and use.

Your chair. Your way.

As one of Australia’s leading wheelchair manufacturers, Glide offers a range of power-assisted chairs, together with power add-on kits for manual models, designed to give you an extra boost of power whenever you need it.

With options such as Bluetooth Mobile Phone controllers, motorbike-style handlebars, rear jockey-wheel drive systems and other innovations, there’s a power add-on solution that can be tailored for any wheelchair user. And, when you order a power-assist wheelchair from Glide, the customisation options are almost limitless.

Explore our range of power add-ons or contact us for more information.