Wheel chairs - any tips

Jake'sGran

It is becoming very obvious that I will need a wheelchair. I have a serious heart condition and cannot walk far as well as walking very very slowly. My family are having discussions about wheelchairs. We know it is possible to hire one but would prefer to buy one. I'm sorry if this post is in the wrong place and I will try a different forum but meanwhile does anyone know which is the very best one you can buy to make it easier for the person pushing the chair and for lifting into the back of a car?.

bryanb

The Red Cross has a loan scheme you could use for a couple of months while you assess what is best. There is no substitute for trying it out yourself, after a short while you will probably have definite ideas regarding what you really need.

Jake'sGran

I didn't know where to put this so if it is in the wrong place please advise me.

It has become obvious that I will require a wheelchair. Due to a serious heart condition I cannot walk far and this situation is getting worse.

We would want a chair that is easy to push and is as light in weight as it can be. I believe this means aluminium but someone on here might know more about this. It would need to be easy to put in the boot of a car. Has anyone got experience of all this?

I am going for my second cardioversion tomorrow (they shock the heart to get it back into sinus rhythm - hopefully) and afterwards I may be breathing easier but after that it is possible they will suggest more surgery. In any event a chair will be necessary sometime soon.

MrsE_2

I don't know anything about wheelchairs, but I'm sure someone will be along soon who does.

I just want to wish you a speedy recovery after your surgery tomorrow

xxx

bryanb

I answered earlier, you posted twice

earthmother

It may be worth having a word with your GP.

My husband needs a wheelchair. Before he got one, he had mentioned to his GP about his problems, and the GP referred him to the local NHS Disablement Services unit, who assessed him, and provided him with a chair free of cost.

Depending on the area you are in, there can be a fair waiting list, but I would at least try the NHS route before laying out what can be quite a sum of money on purchasing a permanent chair.

In the meantime, the Red Cross or Shopmobility (who provide wheelchairs as well as scooters) would be worth contacting for a short-term solution and advice.

EdInvestor

Hi JG, Sorry to hear things are so dire

This is for use outside, I assume.Have you considered a mobility scooter rather than a wheelchair? The lighter ones can be folded up and put in a car and the battery is charged via the mains. They cost about 500quid (more for the big ones).

lyndyloo_2

Hi, I don't know if this will help at all but I am a carer for my parents (mother is wheelchair bound) I needed a lightweight chair as I am only 5' 2" and found it difficult to lift Mums chair into the car as they are very cumbersome and heavy. I happened to find out that once you have been allocated a national health chair by your local occupational health nurse you can then trade this one in for the chair of your choice, I chose a very lightweight one that was ideal for the car as it collapsed very easily. You are given a voucher for handing in your old chair and we only then had to pay something like £30 (Plus the voucher) for a chair that would have cost around £150. This chair than becomes your property from this point so you will have to pay for any maintenance. Good luck and I hope this reply will help you save money on what you are looking for.

Errata

Your district may have an aids and adaptations Rescource Centre and they usually have a selection of wheelchairs for people to try 'on site'. Local social services will have contact details.
You could also try your local Age Concern, some of them have a variety of wheelchairs that have been donated and which they loan out.
Ours are labelled Snow White, Doc, Sneezy, Dopey etc. which makes people smile and helps keep track of who's got which one. Good luck and HTH

hatewashingmachines

My mum got a free wheelchair, made to measure and super lightweight with quick release wheels. I think it was the local Occupational Health who provided it, might be worth enquiring. This was last year and she lived in the Wigan area.

macchicken

Argos sell wheelchairs, Or in scotland we have a company called shopmobility, where you can hire a wheelchair or scooter for going out in the town.