ALS
The Best Wheelchairs for ALS Patients
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with ALS, you probably have many questions. What can you expect? How can I get help? First, it's important to understand the condition.
ALS: An Overview
ALS, also sometimes referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a neurodegenerative disease affecting nerve cells and motor neurons. As cells degenerate over time, the motor neurons controlled by those cells begin to die off. When this happens, the brain is no longer able to control the affected muscle tissue. Patients experience a progressive loss of muscle control.
There is no cure for ALS disease, and symptoms will eventually progress. Early symptoms include simple to severe muscle weakness and stiffness that worsens over time. As the disease progresses, patients will begin experiencing wasting and paralysis. In the late stages, patients lose muscle control over critical body systems. Speech, swallowing, and breathing begin to be affected. Click to learn more about ALS symptoms.
ALS is a challenging diagnosis. But living with ALS is easier with the right tools. Let’s discuss two of the best wheelchairs for ALS patients.
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Request to be Contacted Find a Local DealerEdge 3 ALS Wheelchair
One of the best wheelchairs for ALS patients is the Edge 3 Power Chair. The Edge 3 is a mid-wheel drive power chair with upgraded SRS (Smooth Ride Suspension). Standard with fender lights and a USB charger, this chair is available in 19 color options and includes drive wheel color accents to make for a sharp looking power chair. Multiple seat options are available, including TRU-Balance® 3 Power Positioning Systems. A WC-19 crash-test approved transit kit is also available.
One of the best features available on the Edge 3 Power Chair is optional iLevel® technology. Power chairs equipped with iLevel can help those living with ALS by improving their mobility even further. When the Edge 3 is equipped with iLevel, users can lift their seat 12 inches at the press of a button, enabling them to reach higher, transfer more easily, and enjoy living life at conversation height. iLevel-equipped chairs come with patented Extra Stability Technology®, for enhanced safety. The Edge 3 with iLevel drives at 4.5 mph while elevated.
4Front® ALS Wheelchair
The 4Front® is another great ALS wheelchair with features that help to improve quality of life for those living with Lou Gehrig’s Disease. The 4Front is a quieter, more responsive power wheelchair featuring a front-wheel drive design. Front-wheel drive is a feature many users prefer, but this feature often comes at the expense of smooth handling. Not so with the 4Front. Its automotive-grade SRS (Smooth Ride Suspension) offers a comfortable and smooth ride, and it comes equipped with CASE (Caster Angle Sensor Encoder) technology for smooth obstacle transitions. The 4Front also comes standard with front and rear LED fender lights and Q-Logic 3 Advanced Drive Controls, which is adaptable and expandable as your condition progresses.
The 4Front is available with optional safe seat elevation. This allows users to raise their seat height, up to 10 inches, for greater environmental access and face-to-face interaction with family and friends. The 4Front Power Chair can travel up to 3.2 mph in the elevated position. With all these great features, the 4Front Power Wheelchair is another one of the best wheelchairs for ALS patients.
We hope this guide helps you understand the nature of ALS disease and how an ALS wheelchair can help. Check out any of the corresponding links throughout this article for additional information.