OT - wheelchair question

Re: OT - wheelchair question

John W Foster

I vote for the big wheels. My dad spent his last years confined to a wheelchair. He was quite mentally sound until near the end. He enjoyed outdoor events and the big wheel wheelchair even with the standard narrow tires was still very practical on rough, muddy and snowy terrain as long as the passenger did not mind being pulled backwards. If you are going into a non-accessible building you can pull the big wheel chair backwards up stairs as long as you have a couple of people on the downhill side for safety ( legal and advisable? maybe yes or maybe no, but I did it)Transport chairs are indoor and smooth floor machines only.

Re: OT - wheelchair question

John McGaw

I vote big-wheels. This style can do everything that the little-wheels can do plus the passenger can provide the motive power and steering as needed. As you say the little-wheels are a serious PITA in any situation where there might be something larger than a small pebble to surmount. I got a big-wheel for my elderly mother but did not get an aluminum model and that was a mistake. Sure, I can still get the heavy steel one into and out of the Outback but it is sometimes pretty clumsy.

Re: OT - wheelchair question

John b

Our small town has a medical lending closet that you can borrow different wheelchairs. Perhaps you can find something similar in your area, To try out different chairs before you purchase one.

Re: OT - wheelchair question

Walter Ahlgrim

The style of chair she will want depends on if she will be the main source of propulsion, or if she will be mostly a passenger.

The small front wheels, low back and minimal frame makes for a fast and highly maneuverable mode of transport. The down side is the angles are all wrong if someone tries to push you.

Walta

Re: OT - wheelchair question

Stuart Johnson

My wife had to use a wheel chair for a while after breaking her pelvis. The large wheels worked best but were too wide for some doors. If you can rent one and see how it works. I don't think there is a one good answer.

Re: OT - wheelchair question

al morgan

I second the ideal. Also, try Red Cross or Goodwill or other second hand stores.

Re: OT - wheelchair question

Ray Newman

In 1967, both my legs were amputated above the knee. At that time, VA issued prostheses were heavy and required “Canadian crutches”, so I decided it was far easier and safer to use a wheelchair.

About 25 years ago, the VA first issued me an aluminum solid frame chair fabricated by “Quickie”, with push release hubs, detachable desk style arm rests, folding back rest with hand grips, and pneumatic rear tires. I would never go back to a folding steel frame chair. Based on my experience, solid frame chairs are more robust than the folding/collapsible chairs.

If the chair does not ”fit” the user/user’s needs, it will be uncomfortable and/or unsafe. Ask your wife’s physician for a recommendation to a medical supply or occupational/physical therapy provider about a chair that would accommodate her needs….

Lions club

Jack Guzman from Maine

Bill,

One other suggestion. I'm not sure what things are like on your coast but as far as I know Lions are nationwide. The local lions club,besides providing eyeglasses to needy people also accept as donations and distribute medical supplies,like wheelchairs. Good luck with it. My wife spends most of her waking hours in a wheelchair. She has a small wheeled version for around the house and a big wheel for the outside world.

Thanks, all

Bill Houghton, Sebastopol, CA

The consensus on several different online places is for the big wheels.

This answers my immediate question; I'll be taking the little transport chair back to our Senior Center next time I'm out (rather than trying to negotiate a purchase). There's plenty of time for the longer-range decisions.

One comment made elsewhere is that our Medicare/health insurance may pay for some/all of the chair, which would be a good thing.

Re: OT - wheelchair question

TomD

Will she be able to wheel herself, or will it get used that way around the house at some future date? If you have to push yourself, even short distances, some chairs are just terrible. With separation of the hand rail from the wheel, rolling resistance of the wheels, and general set-up, some chairs are a lot better than others. I am not talking about racing chairs, just regular ones. I tried out the ones at the local super market (I like to keep my hand in) There are also issues of width between doors, if it will ultimately be used indoors.

Some of the general chairs are very uncomfortable to sit in. If you are unable to walk, over time you loose muscle mass and it gets to be very uncomfortable. If you have a chance to get a chair that has proper padding while still working as a chair it might be worth it. If not at least look to be sure you can add a sheepskin or pillows withouth making it unworkable.

You might want to look for some kind of brake mechanism if you are pushing, a hand brake on the grip (simple enough to rig). If there are hills and things like that, you are only a stumble away from letting the whole thing go.

I am not familiar with the small wheel chairs. I have used chairs that were actually walkers, to move people around, but they usually have instructions that forbid that process. They are not really stable, and while it seems safe enough it us usually evident just how things might go wrong.

Need to see her physician

jergle

Medicare covers wheelchairs as long as certain criteria are met, along with a prescription / evaluation by a physician. Your physician will also be able to help advise you on the best type and accessories needed for you wife's situation.