When the doctor prescribes a power chair to a patient, it is because he or she feels that the illness is so extreme that a power chair is the only way to make life simpler on the person. Unlike a manual chair that requires force applied by the actual patient, a power chair uses no physical force. Instead, it is all the work done by a motor and electricity that moves the chair around for people.

When trying to figure out the type to get, there are some things to remember. Power chairs are bulkier than regular wheelchairs, so they are harder to transport. There are some power chairs that are just modified manual wheelchairs with a motor and wheels. These are very basic, but they have the ability to fold. The bulkier kind, and the ones that run a lot better, don't fold up so easily and therefore, require the person to store it in a place where there is a lot more room.

A lot of chairs have a lot of gizmos on them, such as detachable armrests, power recliners, and seat elevation devices. Because the patient is stuck using this chair indefinitely, it is important that they at least find comfort in what they are using. Finding the right chair, though, is a decision that should be made by both the doctor and the patient for maximum efficiency.