Wheelchairs - advice please

[bigtwin]

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.

On the basis of the above, I’d definitely be looking for a large rear wheel version.

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

That’s interesting as the rear wheels are sort of medium sized (neither small, nor large) and may be suitable. Now, here’s the key bit in assessing whether it’s suitable or not; either you, or your hubby, needs to sit in the chair and the other needs to see if they can tilt the chair rearwards (around the rear wheels axle) such that the front wheels rise from the ground, This is necessary to enable you to negotiate kerbs and such like. If you cannot do this, I would continue your search.

I hope that it proves to be suitable.

Ian

 

[Puddleduck]

I have one with small wheels as it was only ever meant to be for a couple of weeks and cheaper to buy than to rent.

It is quite literally a pain in the bum if pushed any distance and bigger back wheels would be far more comfortable.

Mine also has fixed arms - also not recommended as I have to have some weight bearing capability to get in and out easily, I can't slide sideways from chair to bed or trolley for example.

It does have removable foot rests (adjustable would be better) and the back folds down so becomes reasonably compact. Brakes are on the rear wheels and I can use them when sitting but not so easily when I use it as a walker.

A nice cushion for seat and back is essential for comfort.

 

[Minxy]

On the basis of the above, I’d definitely be looking for a large rear wheel version.

That’s interesting as the rear wheels are sort of medium sized (neither small, nor large) and may be suitable. Now, here’s the key bit in assessing whether it’s suitable or not; either you, or your hubby, needs to sit in the chair and the other needs to see if they can tilt the chair rearwards (around the rear wheels axle) such that the front wheels rise from the ground, This is necessary to enable you to negotiate kerbs and such like. If you cannot do this, I would continue your search.

I hope that it proves to be suitable.

Ian

Thanks, we thought the 'mid' sized rear wheels would be a good compromise, not too large for indoors which is where it'll get most use, but big enough for outdoor, we've already got a nice cushion for the base and I can make something to suit if she needs anything else.

With having a poorly dog we're familiar with having to tilt for kerbs etc especially with the large heavy buggy base from a kiddies multi-function pushchair that I adapted for her which has similarly sized rear wheels to the wheelchair, we got it to be able to take her when we went for long walks on the beach and it was easy to use which was a good job as the other dogs would often want to climb in to keep her company and enjoy the ride!

I'm sure I'll be able to tilt the chair but I'm not sure I could do it with hubby in though as he's a bit of a heffalump now and probably weighs twice as much as Mum.

 

[Odd-no-more]

Having pushed FIL in a wheelchair I think the two most important things are big wheels and pneumatic tyres. The one we have now has removable footrests and wheels also the back folds down so it will fit on any car easily. FIL cannot use the wheelchair without someone pushing it but the big wheels make it more comfortable and better for going up kerbs. Don't underestimate how uncomfortable a wheelchair can be for the user, the first one we had was cheap and not good.

 

[Minxy]

Don't underestimate how uncomfortable a wheelchair can be for the user, the first one we had was cheap and not good.

That's why I've been hesitant about getting a new one, some are cheap and look okay but I wouldn't want to spend much time in them. Whilst at present her usage will mainly be just to get her from A to B where she'll then sit in a normal chair in the future she may be in it longer so something else may be required. This one looks to be a good quality 'starter' for her so we can see how she gets on case she has a hissy fit and refuses to have her own.

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[Odd-no-more]

That's why I've been hesitant about getting a new one, some are cheap and look okay but I wouldn't want to spend much time in them. Whilst at present her usage will mainly be just to get her from A to B where she'll then sit in a normal chair in the future she may be in it longer so something else may be required. This one looks to be a good quality 'starter' for her so we can see how she gets on case she has a hissy fit and refuses to have her own.

You may be able to borrow one from the Red Cross, if you have one locally.

 

[Minxy]

You may be able to borrow one from the Red Cross, if you have one locally.

Maybe but I'd rather leave them for those who can't afford to buy one.

 

[Odd-no-more]

Maybe but I'd rather leave them for those who can't afford to buy one.

I don't think they're for permanent use but to try one out, normally give them a donation for it

 

[Nanniemate]

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.

Go to a specialist mobility shop for advice and measuring you don't have to buy there if it does not suit your budget they may also have returns or demonstraters reduces

 

[Minxy]

Well, we collected the chair this morning, it's a nice chair in very good condition and a nice size too, should be an ideal fit for her. We took it to the home and I had a 'test drive', well 'test sit' whilst hubby pushed it from the car park into the lounge in the home, no problems at all with it and the larger rear wheels made going up the curb easy. We showed her the chair but she wasn't really interested however she didn't tell me to take it away so I'm taking that as a positive sign.

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[Odd-no-more]

It took a lot of softly softly before we could get FIL into his chair but once he understood he could get to go to more places in the chair bhe loves it.