CareGlider | Top Powered Companion Chair 2026

MedTech Outlook Magazine

CareGlider
A Mobility Solution Designed for Caregivers

What challenges do caregivers face when managing mobility for dependent individuals daily?

Across the country, millions of Family Caregivers shoulder a responsibility that is as physically demanding as it is emotionally consuming. Everyday tasks like getting a loved one out of the house often involve lifting, pushing, and maneuvering heavy mobility equipment, at the expense of the Caregiver’s own health.

How widespread is caregiver responsibility, and what limitations exist in current mobility devices?

What makes this reality even more challenging is its scale. Family Caregivers account for nearly 85 percent of all caregiving in the U.S. many supporting individuals living with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or Parkinson’s. In many cases, patients cannot safely operate a joystick or control powered mobility devices, and the responsibility falls entirely on the Caregiver. Yet most devices were never designed with Caregivers in mind.

Why has CareGlider developed a new approach centered on caregiver usability and safety?

It is within this gap that CareGlider has emerged, offering a fundamentally different approach to mobility that puts Caregivers at the center of the design. Rather than expecting them to adapt to bulky, traditional equipment, the system is built specifically to reduce strain while maintaining control and safety. At its core is a Caregiver-controlled mobility device that enables smooth, assisted transport for individuals who cannot operate powered chairs themselves, while significantly reducing Caregivers’ burden.

“We advocate for Caregivers while developing products created specifically to support them,” says David Carson, CEO. “Caregivers are the unsung heroes of our healthcare system, and they deserve tools that protect their health, preserve their independence, and make daily life more manageable.”

The innovation lies in its modular construction. Unlike conventional powered chairs that often exceed 100 pounds and create significant lifting challenges, CareGlider introduces a modular system that prioritizes portability and ease of use. At the center of this design is a split-weight system. The chair separates into two lightweight components, a 25-pound frame and a 15-pound power module, which Caregivers can lift individually and assemble quickly at their destination. This design reduces physical strain and makes everyday mobility more manageable for families who rely on frequent transportation.
For Susan Penski, co-founder and the original inspiration behind the device, the impact of this approach is deeply personal. As the original inspiration behind the device, her journey began through years of caregiving that revealed just how inadequate existing solutions could be. Today, she finds herself experiencing the benefits firsthand alongside her husband, Bob, as both navigate their own mobility challenges. During frequent visits to Walt Disney World, CareGlider prototype has enabled her and her husband to move through crowded parks and cover distances that once felt out of reach. Their experience has not gone unnoticed; as they move through the parks, people regularly stop to ask about the device, reflecting a widespread and unmet need that becomes immediately visible when a solution appears.

  • We advocate for Caregivers while developing products created specifically to support them.


After years of development, testing, and refinement, CareGlider is moving closer to broader availability. The company has now introduced a reserve order program, allowing Caregivers and families to secure early access to the units with a refundable deposit. This marks a shift from concept to reality, giving families a clear path toward a solution that has long been out of reach.

Supporting this rollout is a national distribution partnership that connects to more than 600 mobility providers across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, enabling delivery, setup, and ongoing support for wide accessibility once production scales. Early rollout efforts have begun in select southeastern markets, where providers are preparing for delivery and support. This progress is already gaining wider recognition with the device being named as the Top Powered Companion Chair 2026, a distinction that reflects its engineering innovation and its Caregiver-first design.

The company is also expanding its product line to meet a wider range of needs with higher-capacity models for broader use cases. These developments reflect a broader commitment to supporting Caregivers at different stages, rather than offering a single solution.

As rollout expands and access increases through its growing provider network, CareGlider is positioning its solution within reach for Caregivers who need practical mobility support. For millions of Caregivers, help is on the way through a system that focuses on usability, access, and real-world mobility needs.

Deep Dive

When Mobility Support Depends on the Caregiver

Healthcare leaders responsible for mobility equipment procurement face a quiet but growing pressure: the needs of family Caregivers. Aging populations, longer survival with chronic neurological disease and the prevalence of home-based care have shifted the burden of mobility assistance away from institutions and into households. Traditional......Read more

Powered Companion Chair Info

Q1

Why is CareGlider recognized in the powered mobility seating market?

CareGlider has developed a specialized presence in the Powered Companion Chairs category by focusing on mobility seating designed to improve comfort, accessibility and assisted movement in care environments. Its products are engineered to support both users and caregivers through powered functionality that helps simplify transportation and positioning. The company’s approach to Powered Companion Chairs emphasizes usability, maneuverability and practical support for environments where safe patient movement and caregiver efficiency are important priorities. This focused product strategy helps CareGlider stand apart in mobility-focused seating solutions.

Q2

What differentiates CareGlider from other companion chair providers?

CareGlider differentiates itself through its concentration on powered mobility assistance combined with comfort-centered chair design. The company develops Powered Companion Chairs that address real-world movement and care challenges rather than offering standard stationary seating products. Attention to ergonomic functionality, powered assistance and ease of operation supports smoother movement across healthcare and assisted living settings. Its design philosophy also reflects an understanding of caregiver workflow, helping improve mobility support without sacrificing user comfort or stability.

Q3

How does CareGlider support caregivers and users?

Ease of use and practical functionality are central to CareGlider’s Powered Companion Chairs. The company designs its chairs to support smoother transfers and mobility assistance while reducing physical strain associated with manual movement. Product usability and intuitive operation help caregivers navigate care environments more efficiently. At the same time, the chair design prioritizes comfort and stability for users who require supportive seating and assisted transportation. This balanced approach helps create a more effective experience for both caregivers and chair occupants.

Q4

How do CareGlider’s products create value in care environments?

Reliable mobility support and user comfort contribute significantly to the value of CareGlider’s Powered Companion Chairs. The company’s products are intended to improve movement efficiency within healthcare, rehabilitation and assisted care environments where safe transportation and positioning are essential. Powered functionality helps streamline daily movement tasks while supporting caregiver productivity and user convenience. Durable construction and mobility-focused engineering also help organizations maintain dependable seating solutions suited to long-term use.

Q5

What role does innovation play in CareGlider’s product development?

Innovation at CareGlider centers on improving mobility assistance and enhancing user experience within the Powered Companion Chairs market. The company integrates powered movement capabilities, ergonomic considerations and practical care-focused functionality into its product development process. Continuous refinement of mobility features and chair performance helps support changing care requirements and operational needs. This commitment to product advancement allows CareGlider to align its seating technology with modern expectations for accessibility, comfort and caregiver support.

Q6

Why is CareGlider relevant to today’s mobility and care needs?

Growing demand for supportive mobility equipment continues to increase across healthcare and assisted living environments. CareGlider remains relevant because its Powered Companion Chairs are designed to address practical movement challenges while supporting comfort and operational efficiency. The company’s focus on powered assistance and user-centered mobility solutions reflects the evolving needs of care providers and organizations seeking safer, more adaptable seating technologies. Its specialized approach helps position CareGlider within a market that increasingly values mobility support, caregiver assistance and accessible design.

Top Powered Companion Chair 2026

Company
CareGlider

Management
David Carson, CEO

Description
CareGlīder is the first patented, caregiver-controlled powered companion chair — designed to reduce injury and physical strain for the 32 million Americans who provide mobility assistance. Its modular split-weight design separates into two lightweight components for easy transport, while fingertip differential drive steering gives Caregivers intuitive powered control from behind. Named Top Powered Companion Chair 2026 by MedTech Outlook, CareGlīder is soon to be distributed and serviced through a national network of 600+ U.S. mobility providers.