How to Measure for a Wheel Chair

As wheelchair users spend such a lot of time in their chairs, it is vital that they are as comfortable as possible. If the wheelchair is the right fit for its occupant this will ensure comfort, preventing back and hip pain. To do this you will need to take careful measurements of the seat width, depth, back height, seat-to-floor height and footrest height. Once this is done it is also important to measure regularly used access ways so that the chair can easily navigate through them. Once all these measurements have been taken the wheelchair user will be able to go about their business in comfort.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Two heavy books

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Instructions

• 1

  Measure the width of the person's bottom when sitting down. An easy way to do this is to place a book on each side of the hips whilst they are seated and measure the distance between the books --- this provides the seat width.

• 2

  Measure from the back of the person's bottom to the back of their knee --- this provides the seat depth.

• 3

  Seat the person on a flat surface and measure from the top of the shoulders down to the lowest point on the person's bottom --- this will give you the back height.

• 4

  Measure from the bottom of the heel to just above the back of the knee --- this will give you the footrest height.

• 5

  Measure the seat-to-floor height of the wheelchair especially if the user will be propelling themselves with their feet. Measure from the back of the knee to the sole of the foot and add two inches for footrest clearance.

• 6

  Measure the width of doorways, passageways, elevators you have to navigate throughout your day --- this will determine the overall width of chair you purchase. Most doorways are at least 32" wide so you will need a chair narrower than this.