Maintenance Tips for the Lift Chair, Scooter, and Wheelchair
You rely on your home medical mobility equipment to improve your quality of life.
Just as car owners recognize the need for preventative maintenance on their vehicle to keep it running smoothly and reliably, medical mobility equipment users need to provide regular preventative maintenance to their equipment.
Keeping your lift chair, power scooter, power wheelchair and other equipment in tip-top condition is essential for your safety and wellbeing.
Preventative maintenance is a proactive way to make sure your medical equipment is always efficient and reliable.
Regular check-ins with a licensed service technician will help keep your equipment working properly.
Here are some specific maintenance measures to take with the lift chair, power scooter, and power wheelchair.
Preventative Maintenance Tips for Your Lift Chair
Once a month, the motor, hand control, and cord should be vacuumed or wiped down with a wet rag to prevent dust buildup.
For easy access to the motor, put your chair into an upright position.
Unplug the chair during cleaning.
Do not allow any liquids to come in contact with electrical components.
If you notice any fraying on your hand control cord, call your retailer or the chair manufacturer ASAP.
Exposed wires can lead to chair malfunctions or worse.
Inspect all wiring harnesses to be sure they are not frayed or damaged or showing signs of corrosion.
Your electric lift chair has a battery backup, so replace the batteries annually, even if it has never been used.
If it has been used, test the batteries to check if they need replacing.
They use two 9-volt batteries.
Keep your electric lift chair fabric clean.
Clean up spills immediately.
You can clean the surface with mild fabric cleaning products that are safe for the specific type of material.
Always test a small area before cleaning to ensure it does not permanently discolor or stain the chair.
Leather lift chairs are easier to maintain and clean due to their smooth surface.
Never saturate the fabric during cleaning.
Inspect the fabric regularly for fabric tears, gaps, and pulls, as well as for any broken seams.
Preventative Maintenance Tips for Your Scooter
Try to cover your mobility scooter motor when not in use.
Your medical scooter should be stored in a dry, clean, and secure area.
At least once a week, use a clean, damp cloth to wipe off dust and grime that collected on the handlebars and stem.
Wash the deck of the scooter with lukewarm water and a bit of dish soap.
Take care of the area around the battery, and regularly check the battery and underside of the scooter for signs of corrosion.
Get in the habit of checking your tire pressure before taking out your motorized scooter.
Maintaining the proper inflation will help reach the maximum speed without taxing the motor too much.
It is important to take the time to inspect the brake cables for wear and tear.
Check that the indicators and lights on your medical mobility scooter are working.
These work as important traffic signals when traveling.
Damaged or faulty lights are a danger to you, as well as everyone else around you.
Preventative Maintenance Tips for Your Power Wheelchair
It’s wise to monitor the condition of the tires to evaluate if wear is seen on the edges or anywhere else on the tire.
An uneven tire can cause a power wheelchair to steer to one side, forcing the user to keep it in line with the joystick.
Keep your tires inflated at the pressure level stamped on the tire or listed in the operating manual.
Power wheelchairs get dirty quickly and often attract dust, dirt, grime, and sticky substances.
Cleaning your power wheelchair with a damp cloth and a soft dry towel regularly will help keep it clean.
If the battery isn’t charged or doesn’t work, neither will your power wheelchair.
Owner manuals often advise charging the battery to 100% before using it again.
Keep your wheelchair dry.
Corrosion can occur any time your wheelchair is exposed to the elements, making sure your electric wheelchair is dry after each outing.
Take extra precautions by drying electrical components like the controller and wire well.
Store your chair in a temperate environment.
