Bariatric wheelchairs

Bariatric wheelchairs range from manual to electric. The weight capacity is for people that weigh over 250 pounds up to 850 pounds. A larger wheelchair would need to be custom made. The seats come in different widths ranging from 20 inches to 34 inches with 20 inch being the standard size.

Bariatric wheelchair frames are made of stainless steel, carbon steel, or re-enforced steel and usually are chrome plated. The seat and back cushion of the wheelchair is made of many different materials. The cushion is stuffed with mesh, foam, or also special order materials if needed. They are covered in plastic, vinyl, nylon, or polypropylene. The fames weigh anywhere from 34-92 pounds.

An estimated 2.2 million Americans use wheelchairs. Adults over age 65 use 897,000 wheelchairs in the United States as of 2002. 614,000 adults’ ages 18-65 years of age use wheelchairs in the United States. The motorized and sport models are the favored styles. There are 170 wheelchair manufacturers in the United States.