Best Wheelchairs for Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia are challenging conditions. It can be difficult to keep a patient active and engaged in their environment.
Consider using Broda wheelchairs for dementia patients to improve their quality of life.
Broda can create personalized wheelchairs that users can self-propel with the hands or feet, depending on the user’s individual level of mobility. Each Broda wheelchair is easy to use and safe for any stage of Alzheimer’s or dementia.
Our Recommended Wheelchairs for Alzheimer’s & Dementia Patients
Why Broda Wheelchairs Are Ideal for Dementia Patients
Built-In Fall Prevention & Comfort
Falls are the leading cause of death in people over the age of 65. Broda wheelchairs include built-in fall prevention features to keep you or your loved one steady and safe.
Fall prevention features in Broda chairs include the following:
- Our swing-away arm and leg supports can be gently placed to the side while the user is transferred to and from the chair, leaving a wide space for them to move.
- While the user is seated, the wheelchair can be tilted and reclined to help the occupant keep a comfortable and secure posture.
- Our unique Comfort Tension Seating® molds to each user’s body, creating a supportive, and comfortable seating surface.
Safe, Soothing Movement with Dynamic Rocking
Staying physically active is important for adults with Alzheimer’s. Some of our pedal wheelchairs are ideal for dementia patients because they feature Dynamic Rocking.
Dynamic Rocking emulates the soothing motion of your favorite rocking chair and keeps the user comfortable, relaxed, and engaged. Rocking can help strengthen various muscle groups and provides excellent proprioceptive input.
For Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, a rocking movement can also keep the user engaged in their environment, allowing them to stay content in a safe area. A Broda wheelchair with Dynamic Rocking is suitable as a daily Alzheimer’s chair because users can enjoy these benefits without the need to transfer back and forth between multiple chairs.
For these reasons, our Dynamic Rocking wheelchairs are popular in memory care facilities.
Designed for Simplified Cleaning & Sanitation
Alzheimer’s and dementia patients are in the age bracket where urinary incontinence is likely to be an issue. To minimize the challenges of clean up, all our wheelchair cushions and components are fluid-resistant, and you can easily wipe them clean in case of an accident.
You’ll appreciate the simplicity of cleaning a Broda wheelchair when the user experiences mealtime spills, contagious illnesses, and much more. Your user’s manual even comes with cleaning tips for your specific wheelchair model to help you keep it in peak condition with regular maintenance.
Manufactured for Long-Term Use
Alzheimer’s and dementia can progress at variable rates, so it’s important to choose wheelchairs for dementia patients that can be used daily for years. You need compassionate memory care to be your primary focus, not wheelchair replacements or repairs.
Broda wheelchairs are built to last in North America, with powder-coated, 16-gauge tubular steel as the ultra-strong frame material. To back up our confidence in the durability of our wheelchairs, Broda also offers a 10-year warranty on the wheelchair frame and a 2-year warranty on the other wheelchair parts.
Choose the Right Dementia or Alzheimer’s Wheelchair from Day One
After an Alzheimer’s or dementia diagnosis, give yourself, your loved one, or your patient a wheelchair that supports comfortable daily living. Call (844) 552-7632 to talk to a Broda representative and determine the best wheelchair for dementia and your unique situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what stage does Alzheimer’s affect walking?
Alzheimer’s typically affects walking in the middle to late stages, as cognitive decline leads to muscle weakness, poor coordination, and balance issues. Individuals may develop a shuffling gait, hesitancy in movement, or difficulty navigating spaces, increasing their risk of falls and requiring mobility support.
Are Alzheimer’s and dementia the same, and how do they each affect mobility?
Alzheimer’s is a specific type of dementia, while dementia is a general term for conditions causing memory loss and cognitive decline. Both can impact mobility by reducing balance, coordination, and spatial awareness, but progression varies. Some forms, like vascular dementia or Lewy body dementia, can cause stiffness, tremors, or fluctuating movement control, affecting mobility differently.
When should you begin wheelchair use for dementia patients?
A wheelchair should be introduced when walking becomes unsafe, fatigue limits mobility, or fall risk increases. Early use of self-propelling or rocking wheelchairs can help maintain independence and engagement, while more supportive models may be necessary as mobility declines. A healthcare provider can recommend the best time and type of wheelchair based on individual needs.
How do Broda wheelchairs promote safety and comfort for individuals prone to wandering or restlessness?
Broda wheelchairs enhance safety and comfort with tilt-in-space seating, fall prevention features, and Comfort Tension Seating® to reduce sliding. For individuals prone to wandering or restlessness, select models offer Dynamic Rocking, a calming motion that helps reduce anxiety while keeping users engaged. These features provide relaxing stimulation that promotes contentment and reduces the urge to wander.
Dementia Activities, Mobility & Caregiver Considerations from the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association
Mobility activities for people with dementia are critical. Broda wheelchairs are excellent seating solutions for dementia mobility.
Invite, Remind, Serve: Finding the Best Wheelchair for Lewy Body Dementia
Finding the best wheelchair for Lewy body dementia can be difficult. Sheila Longhi shares her experience as a medical equipment professional.
Wheelchair Users & their Family Members
Wheelchair users and their family members need the most comfort and functionality when it comes to seating from Broda wheelchairs and chairs.