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A Guide to Acquiring a Wheelchair in Alberta

Updated: Jun 13, 2023


Buy, loan, rent? Shopping for a non-motorized wheelchair for yourself or your loved one can be a challenging experience, especially when a wheelchair is relied on daily to provide comfort, mobility, and independence. In this blog post, I will provide several options for acquiring a wheelchair in Alberta. Whether you are a first-time buyer, need a replacement wheelchair, or simply a short-term solution, I will explore new, used, and borrowed wheelchair options in this guide to help you navigate the purchasing options more easily and confidently and help you select the best wheelchair option for you or your family.



WHEELCHAIR RENTALS


Renting a wheelchair is a great option if you need a wheelchair quickly and temporarily. There are several used wheelchair rental providers in Alberta that you can find with a simple Google search. Here are a few I’d like to highlight in our two major centers – Edmonton and Calgary – as they are strictly rental outfits. Rental is a cost-effective solution for short-term requirements.





WHEELCHAIR LOAN PROGRAMS


For another cost-effective option, several equipment loan programs are accessible to Albertans that provide short-term wheelchair loans.


1. AHS Equipment Loan Program provides short-term loans of medical equipment for people who are recovering from surgery or need palliative care so they can live in their own homes.


2. The Canadian Red Cross Health Equipment Loan Program in Alberta provides loans of up to 6 months of medical and health equipment aids, including wheelchairs.



PURCHASING A WHEELCHAIR


If you require a wheelchair for long-term use, your best option is likely to purchase a wheelchair. There are three options for purchasing wheelchairs in Alberta: a funded purchase through Alberta Health Services (AHS), buying a brand-new wheelchair from a reputable supplier, or buying used.


Funded Purchase


Alberta Aids to Daily Living (AADL) program helps Albertans with long-term disabilities, chronic illness, or terminal illness by funding basic medical equipment, including a selection of wheelchairs, so that clients can live independently at home and within their communities. AADL provides wheelchairs from their recycle program first. When a wheelchair is not available from recycle, it is ordered new. Lead times for receiving a wheelchair through this program can be anywhere from several months to a year, and wheelchairs can only be moderately customized for the user; however, the AADL program is an option if you require financial support.


Purchasing Brand-New


When buying a brand-new wheelchair, you can buy a stocked product from a medical equipment supplier or a customized chair tailored to the user's needs.


There are loads of wheelchair suppliers in Alberta and online that provide a variety of wheelchair brands and types. which you can find on Google, so I suggest reading their customer reviews when searching for a reputable supplier. You’ll want to find a supplier with knowledgeable staff, a good selection of products, and amazing after-sales support.



If you want a supplier to provide a custom wheelchair with a personalized purchase experience, I highly recommend us! Here at Focused Health Products, we can provide made-to-order Broda wheelchairs customized to the specific dimensions and functionality required by the user or facility. We work closely with healthcare professionals, patients, and their families to provide products that meet the unique needs of each user, and are known for providing exceptional customer service and ongoing support.


A new Broda wheelchair will be your most expensive option; however, when you consider the important role the chair plays in a user’s daily comfort and quality of life, they are worth the investment. And you are backed by 40 years of manufacturing experience, which allows us to deliver a customized wheelchair in 4 weeks or less.



Shopping for a non-motorized wheelchair can be a daunting task, but it helps to start your acquisition journey with the right information so you can make a more informed decision. Do not hesitate to contact healthcare professionals or wheelchair experts for guidance. With these tips in mind, you can find a non-motorized wheelchair that meets your needs and allows you or your family to live a more independent and fulfilling life.


Contact a Focus Health Products wheelchair expert today!




Focus Health Products is proudly Alberta-owned, operated, and the sole authorized distributor of Broda seating in Alberta for the last decade. We sell, service, and support only Broda seating solutions which makes us the experts.


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