The Asian custom to remove shoes in the home seems to be gaining momentum throughout the world.  Many of my non-Asian friends are taking off their shoes too.  And why not!  It just makes for a cleaner, healthier home environment.  Plus, your carpets and floors stay cleaner for longer too.  Less mess, less stress – right?

So, I had an inquiry from a reader, Dr. Gene Emmer, who asked if I knew anything about wheelchair covers.  To be honest, I didn’t because I didn’t even know such a thing existed.

Currently, I’m working on a remodeling project for a nursing home.  They are updating the design to encourage a more welcoming, relaxing, and healing environment.  Evaluating every finish and material in respect to the resident’s needs and comfort is an important aspect of the design.  As expected, many residents there need a wheelchair.  It’s wonderful to see how the wheelchair gives them the mobility that they wouldn’t have otherwise.  To have the freedom to go places on their own instead of being confined in their rooms waiting for help, is really wonderful.

The nursing home is still a novel concept in Asia, so it’s more commonly accepted to look after family members at home.  Nowadays, it’s getting harder and harder to do so because everyone is so busy working.  Taking care of an aging parent can call for care around the clock, so it requires many hands and organization.  This is also true for my family.   We are all trying to do the best we can.  In my father’s case, he can still get around with a walker.  But, eventually, he may need a wheelchair.

Many Asians as well as those who take off their shoes in the home may wish to keep the dirt from entering the house even when using wheelchairs because this is what we are accustomed to.  Now, covers for wheelchairs are available to protect your home and keep the dirt at bay.  What a brilliant idea!  Dr. Emmer has kindly put together the following information that is very informative for those using wheelchairs.

Wheelchair Socks and Slippers with text

Wheelchairs tires can damage carpets and leave black tire marks on floors, which are very difficult to clean. But worse, they are notorious for tracking outside dirt and germs into the house as can be seen in this video:

What is the solution? When an able bodied person enters a house, they usually change into slippers or remove their shoes and wear their socks. But what about wheelchair users? Wheelchairs are the “feet” of a wheelchair user. Now wheelchair users can put on their Wheelchair Slippers and Wheelchair Socks. RehaDesign Wheelchair Slippers cover the big back wheels of manual wheelchairs. RehaDesign Wheelchair Socks cover the small front caster wheels of manual wheelchairs.  Both Wheelchair Slippers and Wheelchair Socks can be put on the wheelchair in seconds while sitting inside the wheelchair or while outside of the chair as can be seen in these demonstration videos:

Both Wheelchair Slippers and Wheelchair Socks are machine washable.  They are made of an attractive and soft artificial suede material and feature a special material on the inside which grips to the tires and prevents slippage.
Wheelchair Slippers are currently available in four colors (beige, purple, blue and black), Wheelchair Socks are currently only available in beige. In addition, there is a third type of cover called RehaDesign Mud Eaters. Mud Eaters are made from water resistant neoprene and are currently available only in black. Mud Eaters are intended for wheelchair tires which are often wet and/or covered with mud.
All RehaDesign Tire Covers are available worldwide from the RehaDesign Website:

They can also be purchased on Amazon USA or Amazon’s European  websites.



2 thoughts on “If We Remove Shoes in the House, Why Not Add Covers for Wheelchairs?”

  1. My mom is in a wheelchair, and we are thinking about having her move in with us. I am concerned for my carpets, as we keep them as clean as we can and I think her chairs wheels could drag mud in. I think wheel socks like these could be a good solution, but could get frustrating if I’m not there to help her put them on. Thanks for sharing, this is definitely something to keep in mind if we don’t invest in an indoor chair.

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