Mobility
The mobility products can be tricky to navigate as the industry seems to be split into two worlds: funded and retail. Luckily, for HME providers this can lead consumers to their stores in more ways than one.
The global wheelchair market is expected to reach $6.1 billion in 2022, according to market research and consulting firm Lucintel, because of a growing elderly population, increased spinal cord injuries and continuing wheelchair needs from other mobility patient groups. Lucintel predicts that power chairs will see the most of the growth, which is great for providers as standard power scooters and chairs are sold easily in their stores.
Medicare makes the process of funding mobility difficult and lengthy leading some consumers to fund their own independence. For instance, geriatric patients have largely accepted the fact Medicare won’t pay for mobility products beyond bottom-rung options, which means they are more willing to pay out of pocket for what they want, sometimes with the help of their family.
At the same time, CRT patient needs continue to grow and are require highly specified solutions. Manufacturers in that segment of the mobility market continues to expand in terms of the types of products that they offer to serve the needs of pediatric to adult patients.
Ultimately, this means that providers looking to sustain and hopefully grow their funded and cash revenues must stock a broad variety of mobility devices, as well as accessories for users who might need to enhance their funded or cash product. Display multiple chairs around your store so that you can easily provide comparisons for customers. Above all, train your staff to be knowledgeable experts on all the products offered.
Let’s take a look at some of the most recent items on the market:
Pride Mobility Products
iRide Scooter
Full-size, four-wheel scooter provides navigation in tight spaces and around corners
The iRide Scooter by Pride Mobility features a height-adjustable,
removable seat with a foldable tiller; a lithium-ion
battery pack; an easy-to-grip tiller adjustment
knob; a twist-grip throttle; an on/off switch; and
a digital LCD display. Specifications include
a 250-lb. weight capacity; speeds of up to
3.7 mph; a turning radius of 33.5 inches; a
length of 38 inches; a width of 19 inches—20
inches; and a base weight of 32.2 lbs. when
disassembled.
Sunrise Medical (US) LLC
QUICKIE Q700-UP M
Standing wheelchair allows users to stand at up to 77 degrees
Combining its Q700 M mid-wheel drive base and
SEDEO ERGO seating system, Sunrise Medical has
launched its QUICKIE Q700-UP M standing wheelchair.
The chair enables patients to experience the positive
health benefits of standing, including maintenance of
vital organ capacity and the potential to avoid pressure
sores. The Q700 chair comes with Sunrise’s new biomechanical
standing seating system that can stand at up
to 77 degrees. Users can take advantage of up to six
programmable memory positions.
GF Health Products
Everest & Jennings Advantage Wheelchair
Low-maintenance wheelchair provides strength and durability
GF Health’s Everest & Jennings Advantage Wheelchair provides
comfort and durability at an
affordable price. Designed as
a low maintenance wheelchair,
it offers an attractive silver vein
durable hammertone steel
finish. The chair is available in 16,
18 and 20-inch seat widths, all
of which include black padded
nylon and vinyl upholstery available
with standard chart pocket.
The chair’s carbon steel frame
provides strength and durability. The wheelchair can come with swing-away footrests
or an elevating legrest.
MK Battery
VRLA AGM battery
New AGM battery supplies power for scooter applications
MK Battery has introduced a new
sealed VRLA AGM battery for scooter
applications. The economically priced
MU-1 SLD M 33 is designed for basic
consumer power and backed by the
same “no-hassle” 13-month warranty
that has differentiated MK products
in the marketplace for years. AGM
batteries supply sufficient functionality
to meet less critical needs of certain
lighter duty mobility applications. The
new battery is widely available in 20
distribution centers nationwide for
immediate delivery.
Extreme Motus
Emma X3
Off-road wheelchair designed to safely explore nature
The Emma X3 manual off-road
wheelchair aims to give users
the ability to explore terrain that
was previously inaccessible. With
a long wheelbase for stability
and a center of gravity over the
rear axle, the wheelchair can be
easily balanced on rear wheels
to make turns or descend hills in
a controlled manner with independent
rear brakes. At the end
of the adventure, the 49-pound
Emma X3 can be folded in half in seconds without tools.
Sunrise Medical (US) LLC
JAY Syncra Seating System for SEDEO Pro
New seating system specifically engineered for tilt and recline
To help wheelchair users avoid body
displacement and increase comfort
while reclining, Sunrise Medical has
launched its new JAY Syncra Seating System for SEDEO Pro seat frames. The
system combines a scalloped back shell
and a cushion with a lowered pelvic wall
and deep femoral troughs to keep the
body in the right position while the chair
is tilted or reclined. Clinicians now have
better options for adapting aftermarket seating to powered seat frames, the
company said.
American Ventures
EZ-Walk
Cane and crutch pad makes it easier to walk on sand, uneven terrain
The EZ-Walk pad is designed to provide a wider base of stability than normal crutch, cane or walker tips. A universally adaptable product designed for standard sized crutches and canes, the EZ-Walk has a 3-inch flat bottom offering parallel usage on flat surfaces. To prevent sand and water from settling on the top, the pad has beveled triangular drainage vents that reduce the product’s weight and provide smoother, uninterrupted movement. Canes that are less than one inch in diameter, users can wrap a pre-sized tape insert around the end of their cane to increase diameter before attaching the EZ-Walk. The pad can accommodate users up to 300 lbs. in weight.
WHILL
Model Ci
Power wheelchair connects with Bluetooth app to drive remotely, manage speed
Driving across rough terrain is not a problem
for the WHILL Model Ci power wheelchair,
equipped with large wheels and two powerful
motors that make for smoother rides. The
wheelchair is also connected to mobile devices
through Bluetooth app controls that allow the rider to drive remotely, lock and
unlock and manage speed settings from their phone. Users can also quickly
disassemble the chair into three components (seat, front driver base and rear
driver base) that can easily fit into a car trunk. Accessories include smart keys, lap
belts, footrest adapters, and spare batteries.
Merits Health Products, Inc.
Rehab and Pilot
Merits shines spotlight on products, plus two new divisions
In addition to its line of power wheelchairs, scooters,
manual wheelchairs and beds, Merits Health Products
items will showcase its two new divisions, Avid Rehab and Pilot. Avid Rehab is focused on developing high-end
complex rehab products. Pilot is Merits’ home
access division, which is focused on making patients’
homes accessible. Also on display will be recent offerings
from the core brand, such as its single power
option, Group 2 power wheelchair, the Vision Ultra.
Dynarex
DynaRide
New wheelchair duo offers comfort, support
Dynarex has launched two new wheelchairs: the DynaRide Series 1 & DynaRide Series 4. The Series 1 model comes with a steel frame powder-coated silver vein. The Series 4 model comes with carbon steel frame powder-coated silver vein. Both wheelchairs have black padded nylon upholstery and padded arms. They also have “push to lock brakes” and have precision sealed wheel and caster bearings. An added feature to the DynaRide Series 4 offers a seat that can be expanded from 16 in. to 18 in. and are extra lightweight for easy transporting.