Get a Grip A WheelchairJunkie's Guide to Powerchair Armrests by Mark E. Smith

Have you ever heard the saying, "It's all in the small details?"  Well, when it comes to powerchairs, the saying is true.  We often look at sexy number like the top speed of a chair, but it's really the small details, fit and finish, that make a good chair great.  Armrests are among those small details, offering security and comfort, and make all the difference in your mobility and independence when appropriately chosen. Contrary to their name, armrests aren't just comfort points for your arms.  Armrests provide handholds for transfers, allow you to push up and reposition for pressure relief, help keep your hips in place, increase balance, and keep your cushion where it belongs, just to name a few roles they play.  Put simply, armrests are an integral part of your powerchair and lifestyle, requiring thought when purchasing a new chair or upgrading your existing one.

Flip-Up Armrests

Based on automotive design, flip-up armrests feature a single hinge point at the backrest, and fold back, completely opening up the side of the chair for transfers.  Flip-up armrests are very popular with light-rehab users, those whom are still somewhat ambulatory, as the armrests are easily positioned, and give a more contemporary look to the chair.  Flip-up armrests may also allow you to get closer to tables an workstations, as the joystick can be flipped up and out of the way.  What's more, some flip-up armrests are height and angle adjustable, allowing them to be tailored to the your needs.  However, because flip-up armrests lack handholds or side guards, they are less appropriate for users with higher-end disabilities whom need more structured seating systems.  Flip-up armrests are found on light rehab chairs manufactured by Invacare, Permobil, Pride, and Quickie.

Dual-Post Armrests

Invacare's dual-post, height-adjustable, flip-up armrest.

Dual-post armrests have been an industry standard since Everest and Jennings launched its first powerchair in 1956.  As the name suggests, dual-post armrests have two mounting sockets, one in the front and one in the rear, giving them exceptional strength, while still removable by disengaging a lock-in pin.  Traditionally, dual-post armrests are classified as full- and desk-length.  However, in recent years, full-length dual-post armrests have become all but obsolete, as they have a constant height that runs from front to back of the seat, preventing access to tables.  Desk-length armrests, on the other hand, feature approximately a 6"-long section at the front of the armrest that's several inches lower than the arm pad, allowing the front of the armrest to tuck under desks (this area also functions as a handhold for weight shifts and transfers).  Additionally, dual-post armrests come in 10" and 13.5" arm pad lengths (10" is usually preferred on seats up to17" deep, and 13.5" on seats 18" and deeper). Optional features on dual-post armrests include height adjustability, and flip-back folding, both of which increase function.  Dual-posts are found on rehab chairs manufactured by 21st Century Scientific, Invacare, and Quickie.

Single-Post Armrests

Pride's single-post, height-adjustable armrests.

Featuring a single-post mounting socket, usually positioned in the center of the seat's side rail, single-post armrests are among the easiest to remove and install for transfers - whereas dual-post armrests require the alignment of two receiver sockets, the single post only requires one.  What's more, because of the single mount location, a single-post armrest usually allows several inches of fore and aft adjustment, permitting more finite positioning than a flip-up or dual-post armrest.  Desk-length is the industry standard in single-post armrests, and 10" and 13.5" arm pad lengths are common.  Single-post armrests are found on rehab chairs made by Pride and Quickie. So, if you've found yourself wondering why there's nowhere to grab on your chair when transferring, or fighting with an armrest that's always in the way, maybe you've been using the wrong style of armrest for your needs.  Consider your lifestyle, and consider the types of armrest available  - who knows, maybe an alternate armrest style could be the small detail that makes all the difference in your mobility and independence.