Services: Repair and Maintenance
Wheelchair Repair and Service
The REM Maintenance and Repair services staff is certified to repair Invacare, Sunrise Medical/Quickie, Amigo and Pride products. All equipment is serviced according to manufacturers specifications and safety recommendations.
Clinical Services vs. Repair and Maintenance
Manufacturers recommend that wheelchairs be serviced on a yearly basis. These services are available from the vendor who sold the chair or the Refurbished Equipment Marketplace (REM). Maintenance issues include: loose wheel locks, worn or loose arm rests, dirty or loose casters, loose wheels or poorly inflated tires, etc.
The needs of the individual dictate the frequency of clinical appointments. For example, growth issues often require that a child be seen every six months. Additionally, degenerative conditions also require more frequent visits. However, it is generally recommended that a person using a wheelchair visit their clinician at least once every three years.
Additional indicators for clinical intervention include:
- Skin breakdown or chronic redness
- Decreased ability to tolerate sitting
- Experiencing pain while sitting
- Poor or worsening posture that has not been successfully addressed
- Inability to perform pressure reliefs (repositioning techniques)
- A weight gain/loss of 10 pounds or more
- An accurate weight has been difficult to obtain
- Recent or anticipated orthopedic surgery
- Swelling or edema (especially in legs or feet)
- A degenerative medical condition
- Compromised respiration
- A change in neurological status, resulting in changes in posture and/or tone
- A decrease in independent mobility or self propulsion
- Difficulty using an existing wheelchair ramp
- Difficulty accessing desks, lab/library/cafeteria tables or computer workstations
- Difficulty reaching or activating electrical switches or controls such as elevator buttons, light switches, or computer controls
- The wheelchair tips over
- The wheelchair appears or feels too small/large
- Unable to use the wheelchair to perform outside activities
- The wheelchair does not accommodate auto, bed, chair, and/or toilet transfers
- Difficulty using a power wheelchair
- Difficulty using a power scooter
- Difficulty in using the wheelchair on rough terrain
- The wheelchair is difficult to transport