Frequently Asked Questions

Are standing wheelchairs new?
Actually, standing wheelchairs have been available since the mid 1970’s when LEVO founders designed the first standing wheelchair. Over the past 40 years, we have worked to provide a full range of standing wheelchairs– including pediatric– so that everyone can enjoy the benefits of standing.

In recent years, LEVO engineers have utilized new technologies that have allowed the manual chairs to become much lighter, and maneuverable and the power chairs more programmable and functional.

In many European countries, standing wheelchairs are extremely popular.  In some, one is provided to all disabled people for whom it is appropriate. This is primarily because of progressive healthcare systems and their experience with the long-term health benefits.

The US is quickly catching on to this growing trend.

What are the benefits of standing?
The benefits of standing fall into five major categories:

  1. Better Health – health benefits include, but are not limited to:
  • Improved Bone Density
  • Reduced risk of Pressure Ulcers
  • Reduced risk of Skeletal Deformities and/or Joint/Muscle Contractures
  • Reduced risk/incidence of Urinary Tract Infections
  • Management of Spasticity
  • Improved Respiratory function
  • Improved Gastro-Intestinal function
  • Improved Bowel/Bladder function
  • Improved Cardiovascular function
  • Improved Emotional Status and Sense of Well Being
  1. Improved Function/Accessibility – With a standing wheelchair, accessibility increases and accomplishing daily tasks is possible.
  • Stand up and cook
  • Reach things in cupboards or on grocery store shelves
  • Comb you hair in a mirror
  1. Vocational – Standing wheelchairs are used by a wide variety of professionals, as almost everyone benefits from the ability to stand in the workplace. Many LEVO users are:
  • Doctors
  • Auto-technicians
  • Bakers
  • Machinists
  • Teachers
  1. Relational – There are many personal, social and relational benefits to being able to stand.
  • Give Speeches
  • Attend social events and participate eye to eye
  • Exchange wedding vows
  • Hug your friends and family
  • Confidence and independence
  1. Financial – Standing wheelchairs often reduce the long-term costs of injury or illness.
  • Standing mobility makes it easier to continue your career or education
  • Reduces need for home modification
  • Many health benefits or standing reduce the need for medication/hospitalization
  • Greater independence and access means less assistance
Who Can Benefit From a Standing Wheelchair?
There are many individuals who might be appropriate for a standing wheelchair. Some common groups are people with:

  • Spinal Cord Injury – including Spina Bifida
  • Cerebral Palsy (CP)
  • Neuromuscular Diseases such as Muscular Dystrophy (MD) and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)
  • Multiple Sclerosis – MS
  • Stroke
I have not stood up in months (or years), is it possible for me to stand?

Typically, if you don’t have a physical condition that prevents your body from obtaining a standing posture, you should be able to stand; however, a medical professional should evaluate you for potential hidden problems with bone density, contractures, low blood pressure or other conditions.

Do Funding Sources Pay for Standing Wheelchairs?

In many cases, the answer has been yes! With that in mind, coverage for standing features on wheelchairs can vary widely between insurers. If you are interested, it is best to contact your dealer with your insurance information. They can help identify your coverage benefits. In addition, they may also be able to help you find alternate funding through programs such as vocational rehabilitation.

For further information, please review Funding Sources.

What Are the Types of Standing Wheelchairs?
There are three basic types of standing wheelchairs:

  1. Lightweight manually propelled & manual standing chairs
  • LAE
  • Summit M
  1. Manually propelled, power standing models
  • LCEV
  • Summit EL
  1. Power driven, power standing chairs that can be driven in the upright position
  • C3
  • Combi
[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”What Is the Best Standing Wheelchair For Me?” el_id=”1470889474875-8f161219-ebbe”]The best choice of standing wheelchair model for you depends on three main questions:

  1. What is your disability or illness?
  • What is the strength of your upper body?
  • What is your level of bilateral disability?
  • If you need a wheelchair because of illness, is the illness progressive?
  • Can you operate a power wheelchair?
  1. Where will you be using the wheelchair?
  • Will the wheelchair be used only indoors, or outdoors too?
  • What is the type of ground or surface the wheelchair will be used on most?
  • Are there slopes, ramps or stair lifts? What is the capacity of the stair lifts?
  • What are the widths of the doors the wheelchair will pass through?
  • Will the wheelchair need to be transported on a regular basis or placid in storage for long periods of time?
  1. How, and how often will you use your wheelchair?
  • Will the standing wheelchair be used as an everyday wheelchair?
  • Will it be used primarily for standing therapy only?
  • Will it be used for working?
  • Will there always be a helper present?
How Do I Go About Trying A Standing Wheelchair?
First, obtain clearance to stand from a qualified medical professional. Then, request an appointment with your therapist to be evaluated for a standing wheelchair. At this meeting, your therapist or doctor can complete a thorough evaluation and determine the appropriate model and fit you in a chair.

While your fitting may occur at your therapy unit, it can also be done at an authorized LEVO dealer or in your home or workplace. It is always best to have your dealer, therapist and a LEVO representative there.

We are dedicated to helping you find a standing wheelchair that fits your lifestyle. If you would like further information on this process please don’t hesitate to contact us.