Wheelchairs - advice please (1 Viewer)

[Minxy]

My Mum's care home have asked me to get Mum a wheelchair due to her being less mobile. It's going to be mainly used to get her from her room downstairs and back again, although when she is able to be taken out it will be needed then so it needs to be lightweight and foldable but importantly nice and comfy for Mum.

I've done a bit of googling and have discounted 'self-propelled' ones (ie big wheels at the rear) so am looking at 'transport' wheelchairs I think (ie ones which are pushed).

As I've never had to buy a wheelchair before so can those who have experience of them (users and pushers) please let me know what I need to look for in order to get one for Mum. She's not heavy or large but I notice they do come in different seat widths, some are described as compact and others seem to be a standard size (approximately 18" across the seat). I know she'll need adjustable footrests so they are at the right height for her, some have 'carer brakes' others done, is there anything I need to be aware of?

Ta in advance.

 

[Two on Tour]

We bought one of these from Amazon as a fallback in case it was needed for Yvette's dad a couple of Xmas ago. It did not get used and now resides in the spare bedroom just in case.
Appears to be good quality as we were not going buy one we were not confident was up to the job.
You can apply to get the VAT back in certain cases.

Amazon product ASIN B00CWANFIK

 

[DandG5515]

I must admit, I bought one nearly new off gumtree £50. Think I got £30 back on it at a car boot sale 5 years later. Had small wheels and folded up quite small a pusher only as neither mothers strong enough to self propel.

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[Janine]

The bigger the wheels, the comfier the ride.

I bought Mother one with small wheels because it was lightweight for putting in the car but she complained about being uncomfortable.

Some of the ones with big wheels have quick release mechanisms to take the wheels off to make them lighter for lifting.

 

[TheBig1]

don't go with one too wide for mum. You need to be a couple of inches wider than her torso and hips. A good compromise for most is an 18 inch, but available from 16 up through to huge. Look for one that folds down small for putting in the car, maybe even an air transportable that goes in it's own bag

If it were me, I would suggest looking for the red cross locally or charity shops. Sadly with such types of chairs they often only get used a few times. Then they are a reminder and become a nuisance in the way for the family

 

[PaulyP]

Ours was one with large wheels at the back, much easier to push and manoeuvre over curbs etc. when we went shopping I could push the trolley and she could move around in the wheelchair or could actually get out and push it for a short time, easy to fold up and put in the back of the car. Arms dropped down and footrests removed made it quite small. I’m sure one could be hired for a few days to try out for ease of use.

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[pampam]

Big rear wheels here too .smoother ride ,light to push,infact it can be used as a walker its that light

 

[dunnah01]

Ableworld did a fitting for my FIL and they have a good range to try depending on your budget. The pavements in his area are OK but it was a real effort to push it more than a few hundred yards even with pneumatic tyres (don't even think about solid tyres). It folded into the back of our Freelander quite neatly but you'd struggle in a saloon car.

 

[Just smiffy]

Local adverts, gumtree is a good place why pay hundreds for something you can get for £50 just as good…

As said bigger wheels best especially on the front as hitting a small stone will send you over the handle bars..

And don’t go too wide, generally speaking get one as small as you can as long as it fits your mum…

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[dunnah01]

.. and don't forget to get the VAT knocked off any prices

 

[bigtwin]

The bigger the wheels, the comfier the ride.

I bought Mother one with small wheels because it was lightweight for putting in the car but she complained about being uncomfortable.

Some of the ones with big wheels have quick release mechanisms to take the wheels off to make them lighter for lifting.

This .

Unless you have a specific reason to prefer/need the small wheel variety, you’ll be making a big mistake in not getting a large (rear) wheel variety. They are soo much better.

Ian

 

[Minxy]

This .

Unless you have a specific reason to prefer/need the small wheel variety, you’ll be making a big mistake in not getting a large (rear) wheel variety. They are soo much better.

Ian

I assumed the bit rear wheels one were purely for those who didn't require pushing, ie self-propelled, so had discounted them. This is the reason I started this thread as I have no knowledge of using them at all and don't want to get something that's going to be wrong for my Mum.

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[Clivefog]

Small wheels if you intend lots of in and out of cars, also for indoor use. Big wheels for comfort out and about yes however my mum had a habit of putting her hand on the wheels and letting the brakes off. That's another point attendant handle bar brakes are best.
Had both and used the small wheels daily, with extra cushion pads for seat and back as she got more frail.

 

[bigtwin]

I assumed the bit rear wheels one were purely for those who didn't require pushing, ie self-propelled, so had discounted them. This is the reason I started this thread as I have no knowledge of using them at all and don't want to get something that's going to be wrong for my Mum.

There is no disadvantage (that I’m aware of anyway) in having a large wheel chair whether, or not, the seated individual can self propel.

The only circumstance where I’d consider a small wheel variety would be if the wheelchair would only ever be used indoors and where there was no risk of ever encountering a stepped/ridged door threshold.

The major advantage of the large wheel variety is the comfort experienced by the seated individual. That and the ability to cross stepped/ridged door thresholds.

Hope that clarifies/helps.

Ian

 

[TinaLes]

Hey Minxy, I am astonished to find that care home residents have to supply their own wheel chairs for internal use, especially with the fees that are charging these days, I think its taking the Pee quite honestly, and would have to have a word with them, they must have loads stashed away somewhere when people pass on. When my mum passed on it took several phone calls over 2/3 months to arrange a collection for all the hoists, commode, walking frames etc that the social services had given her to live at home independently, with a full care package that is no longer available if you have any savings.
Good Luck.
LES

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[Rapido925M]

1: Dad had a chair with solid tyres. It was awful for travelling over anything rougher than a baby’s bottom!

2: SiL is looking for one now. Approximately £150 new but we can get one foc on permanent loan from a local charity. Obviously we will give them a donation.

Good luck - Gordon

 

[bigtwin]

Dad had a chair with solid tyres. It was awful for travelling over anything rougher than a baby’s bottom!

Was that a small wheel, or large rear wheel variety?

Ian

 

[JoshnPen]

Fun Bot might help out?

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[Minxy]

Hey Minxy, I am astonished to find that care home residents have to supply their own wheel chairs for internal use, especially with the fees that are charging these days, I think its taking the Pee quite honestly, and would have to have a word with them, they must have loads stashed away somewhere when people pass on.

It's not a massive home (it only has 32 beds) and very few actually use wheelchairs so I don't think they have any 'spares' stashed away as at present they are borrowing one from another resident for Mum hence she needs her own.

 

[The Old Man]

When it was time to get a chair I visited;

Home - Snowdrop Independent Living

www.snowdropindependentliving.co.uk

Theyhad lots of stock, guided and advised. Then I took mum and she spent an afternoon test driving the options offered.

If thereisa branch close to you, I recommend a visit.

 

[DangerMousy]

We took my MIL to a mobility shop to allow her to test various chairs to see which one was most comfortable for her....the only stipulation is that it had to be fairly light and fold down to go in the car. They were really great and had her try out lots of them until she was happy....some of the chairs looked great but she didn't find them that comfy and in the end she chose one of these. It was fairly pricey, but it also made our lives much easier as getting it in and out of the car was a doddle....not only was it really lightweight, it folded down really small and the large wheels just popped off.

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[TheBig1]

The comfort suggestion is relevant, but easily sorted with a pressure relief cushion. Not cheap but essential if the person will spend extended periods in the chair

 

[Minxy]

The chair is mainly meant to get her from her room on the first flood to the ground floor lounge, dining area etc. Whilst she'd likely sit in it whilst she had her meal afterwards she'd sit in one of the lounge chairs so wouldn't be spending hours in it. Obviously when she's taken out for trips etc she'd be in it but again not for a long time and it being able to be quickly and easily folded/dismantled to go into a car is important, it therefore needs to be fairly light too.

 

[Minxy]

I think I've found one for her! We were waiting to see if there was anything at the car boot sale tomorrow (there was one a couple of weeks ago! ) but did a search on Gumtree this afternoon and this popped up so instead we're going to pick it up in the morning, it's about half an hour or so away but I'm sure it'll be ideal for her and quite 'snazzy' looking too ... she doesn't do 'dull'!

Second-Hand Mobility, Disability & Medical Equipment for Sale in Hull, East Yorkshire | Gumtree

Discover amazing local deals on second-hand mobility, disability & medical equipment for sale in Hull, East Yorkshire ✅ Shop hassle-free with Gumtree, your local buying & selling community.

www.gumtree.com

Geriatric Wheelchair - Global Health Care - English

Standard Wheelchair, Removable Arm and Leg Rests, Extra Strong. The chair can easily fit in a car, by separating into three smaller, lightweight parts. Global Health Care

globalhealthcare.net

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[Just smiffy]

Looks good, saved yourself a few bob there…

 

[Stealaway]

I think I've found one for her! We were waiting to see if there was anything at the car boot sale tomorrow (there was one a couple of weeks ago! ) but did a search on Gumtree this afternoon and this popped up so instead we're going to pick it up in the morning, it's about half an hour or so away but I'm sure it'll be ideal for her and quite 'snazzy' looking too ... she doesn't do 'dull'!

Second-Hand Mobility, Disability & Medical Equipment for Sale in Hull, East Yorkshire | Gumtree

Discover amazing local deals on second-hand mobility, disability & medical equipment for sale in Hull, East Yorkshire ✅ Shop hassle-free with Gumtree, your local buying & selling community.

www.gumtree.com

Geriatric Wheelchair - Global Health Care - English

Standard Wheelchair, Removable Arm and Leg Rests, Extra Strong. The chair can easily fit in a car, by separating into three smaller, lightweight parts. Global Health Care

globalhealthcare.net

Bargain.

 

[Minxy]

Looks good, saved yourself a few bob there…

I'm hoping that she'll like it and not spit her dummy out as she does normally when I buy her some stuff ... hopefully if she gets some strength back she should be able to walk pushing it or using the rollator we got her, or even with nothing at all, but regardless when she is taken for a trip out it will certainly make things a lot easier on all of us!

She wants to go to the Humber Bridge as she walked across it many years ago with her church for charity but obviously she couldn't walk over it now ... I've told her if she gets better I'll take her ... I'll just have to be careful that I don't 'stumble' and accidentally tip her over the side of the bridge.

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[TheBig1]

As it's a petite version, I hope it fits your mum. No idea of her size of course, but we found although my mum looked small and fragile, she still had a wide pelvis and when the home put her in the wrong chair, it hurt her hips. No issue with the slightly wider chair we bought her

 

[Minxy]

As it's a petite version, I hope it fits your mum. No idea of her size of course, but we found although my mum looked small and fragile, she still had a wide pelvis and when the home put her in the wrong chair, it hurt her hips. No issue with the slightly wider chair we bought her

Like mother like son?

No she's not massive fortunately especially since she lost weight yonks ago and has never put it back on, not that she was big even then, but she does have an issue with her too-large trousers falling down at inopportune moments.

 

[dunnah01]

I think I've found one for her! We were waiting to see if there was anything at the car boot sale tomorrow (there was one a couple of weeks ago! ) but did a search on Gumtree this afternoon and this popped up so instead we're going to pick it up in the morning, it's about half an hour or so away but I'm sure it'll be ideal for her and quite 'snazzy' looking too ... she doesn't do 'dull'!

Second-Hand Mobility, Disability & Medical Equipment for Sale in Hull, East Yorkshire | Gumtree

Discover amazing local deals on second-hand mobility, disability & medical equipment for sale in Hull, East Yorkshire ✅ Shop hassle-free with Gumtree, your local buying & selling community.

www.gumtree.com

Geriatric Wheelchair - Global Health Care - English

Standard Wheelchair, Removable Arm and Leg Rests, Extra Strong. The chair can easily fit in a car, by separating into three smaller, lightweight parts. Global Health Care

globalhealthcare.net

Those front wheels look a bit small and you may end up tipping your mum out of the chair even on the smallest bump if she's not wearing the safety belt. Also the foot rests really need to be removable or at least able to swing around the side of the chair to make it easier to get in out of tight spaces like car doors etc.
A must have extra is also a nice sheepskin cushion as well

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