Folding wheelchair recommendations
Discussion
Not sure where to post this really - perhaps there's an idea for a forum section for elderly relative problems?
Basically looking for a wheelchair for my old aunt which I can fold up and fit in the back of a Fiat Panda.
It won't get a lot of use so don't want to spend a fortune and she'll never operate it herself (turning the wheels) it will only ever be pushed by me around the shops every week or so and sometimes up and down the street.
She probably weighs about 11 stone or so - any help would be appreciated.
Basically looking for a wheelchair for my old aunt which I can fold up and fit in the back of a Fiat Panda.
It won't get a lot of use so don't want to spend a fortune and she'll never operate it herself (turning the wheels) it will only ever be pushed by me around the shops every week or so and sometimes up and down the street.
She probably weighs about 11 stone or so - any help would be appreciated.
There are a few possible considerations - obviously I have no way of knowing if any of these are relevant for you guys.
Pretty much everything except the very s
ttiest heaviest chair will fit okay, but the lighter it is, the easier it'll be to push and to get in and out the car without dinging the paintwork.
If she prefers to get in and out the chair herself, arm rests which flip up rather than (or as well as) coming right off can be very helpful to enable shuffling sideways rather than having to stand up frontwards and turn.
If she is your classic Little Old Lady and is small and frail, you will want to suss out which ones have foot plates that can adjust short enough for her legs - *many* of the cheaper chairs don't even adjust short enough for me and I'm a not-really-that-titchy 161 cm tall. There might be comfort considerations too but you can always address those after the fact - cushions that fill in for the 'deck chair' sag of the material between the frame can in particular really help if there is back pain.
Pretty much everything except the very s
ttiest heaviest chair will fit okay, but the lighter it is, the easier it'll be to push and to get in and out the car without dinging the paintwork. If she prefers to get in and out the chair herself, arm rests which flip up rather than (or as well as) coming right off can be very helpful to enable shuffling sideways rather than having to stand up frontwards and turn.
If she is your classic Little Old Lady and is small and frail, you will want to suss out which ones have foot plates that can adjust short enough for her legs - *many* of the cheaper chairs don't even adjust short enough for me and I'm a not-really-that-titchy 161 cm tall. There might be comfort considerations too but you can always address those after the fact - cushions that fill in for the 'deck chair' sag of the material between the frame can in particular really help if there is back pain.
mph1977 said:
interesting that you felt the need to pay for one rather than exploring if she is entitled to one from wheelchair services ...
I have no idea what it is - and (whatever it is) it's too late for me now - but I'm sure it would be a great help to anyone else who might be looking for a wheelchair if you could give an outline of this and maybe some useful links ...footnote said:
I have no idea what it is - and (whatever it is) it's too late for me now - but I'm sure it would be a great help to anyone else who might be looking for a wheelchair if you could give an outline of this and maybe some useful links ...
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/Pages/equipment-aids-adaptations.aspxamazing how many people are willing to complain aobut all the freebies that others get while not knowing their entitlements as a Tax /NI payer
Riley Blue said:
Sorry, just picked up this thread - when we bought a wheelchair for my Dad from Halfords, we were able to get the VAT refunded. If you haven't already done so, OP, it's worth asking from where you purchased.
Thanks - the shop were ahead of us on this and didn't charge VAT - we didn't know about it beforehand though - a worthy and worthwhile benefitmph1977 said:
footnote said:
I have no idea what it is - and (whatever it is) it's too late for me now - but I'm sure it would be a great help to anyone else who might be looking for a wheelchair if you could give an outline of this and maybe some useful links ...
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/Pages/equipment-aids-adaptations.aspxamazing how many people are willing to complain aobut all the freebies that others get while not knowing their entitlements as a Tax /NI payer
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