Seating
The Azalea is the go-to tilt in space wheelchair; there's no other equivalent product as popular as it. It can be tilted to 25° to aid with pressure relief, maintain good posture, and assist with hoisting. The backrest can be reclined back to 30°, which combined with the tilt and elevating leg rests allows the wheelchair user to lie back in the chair. This relaxed position is often used to sleep in the chair during the day.
The seating can be set up for a precise fit, with each dimension set to match the person's body size. A large selection of pressure relieving cushions, backrests and positioning accessories maximise comfort and support. A particular highlight is the Flex 3 backrest, available as either a tension-adjustable back to accommodate spinal curvatures, or a plate to provide higher levels of positioning.
Varieties
Several versions of the Rea Azalea are available, including:
Both Transit and Self-Propelled variants; the Transit ones are more popular but some tilt in space wheelchair users are able to self-propel indoors.
"Tall" versions of both for those with longer bodies who need higher and deeper seats.
"Base" version that allows third-party seating systems to be attached for those with advanced clinical requirements.
"Max" with a 180 kg weight capacity and seat widths up to 28".
"Minor" variant in smaller, paediatric sizes.
Options
As a configurable wheelchair, there are many options to select from when building each Rea Azalea. As well as the seating options, there are also practical accessories such as a tray table to allow the user to eat at their wheelchair.
The weight of the Azalea means that it can be a struggle to push, particularly outdoors or with heavier wheelchair users. It is therefore often partnered with a powerpack, to take the strain off pushing. Alber's ViaPlus V12 is designed specifically for the Azalea, and does not impede the adjustment and functionality of the wheelchair.
The Azalea has a reputation of having a "clinical" look to it, which is not always popular. However, Invacare have recently updated the design to include black front and rear tyres; different frame colours are also available, which significantly improve the looks of the Azalea. Our showroom model has a dark blue frame, which combined with the black tyres means it looks a completely different product (and much better!) than the photos above.
Transport
As a heavier, rigid framed wheelchair, the Azalea cannot normally be transported in a regular car; this is the case for most specialist tilt in space wheelchairs. However, it is fully crash-tested for occupied transport in a suitably adapted vehicle.
Our Verdict
If you are in need of a tilt in space wheelchair, the Azalea should be the first product you consider - it is rightly the market leader.
If you need a more transportable, folding wheelchair, Karma's VIP2 wheelchair does offer tilt and recline and can fold up - but doesn't have the same level of comfort and support as the Azalea.
If the Azalea is outside your budget, then the Rea Clematis is a more affordable, albeit more basic, model that lacks the customisation options of the Azalea.
Otherwise, Invacare's Rea Dahlia is their top end model offering higher degrees of tilt, and Sunrise Medical's Breezy Ibis features a streamlined appearance and premium Sedeo Pro seating.
