Anyone's elderly family member have trouble with ECV?

[roxannex]

We are considering a July trip to WDW. My mom really want to bring my 90 year old grandma. I'm very dubious about this. We actually did this trip in the winter about 4 years ago with a wheelchair for my grandma and it was hard then--without heat and July crowds.

So, I don't know if we will go at all, but if we do I was thinking that an ECV would be so much nicer. However, my grandmother does not drive and really never did (except for a short time in her life). She is very nervous about the idea of an ECV. Are they easy to master? I think she might be so nervous, she would get upset.

 

[Piper]

The actual driving is not that difficult. With that said, you need to be very alert and really watch those around you. People will cut in front of you trying to get ahead of you, stop suddenly, walk right into you--you need to be constantly watching those around you. The ECV stops when you let go of the handle--it rolls a little bit before it stops. You need to try to anticipate what others will do and drive very carefully because people will blame the driver even if they walk straight into you!

With that said, I am one of the lucky ones who has never hit anyone (yet.) I usually drive my own ECV and have the advantage of being very familiar with it!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

My recommendation would be no. Especially since she does not drive. And crowds will be intense.

A few years ago, when my mother was only 91, she came and visited me. I "forced" her to use an ECV. Even though she did not give up her car until 94, she kept trying to find the brake pedal. But this was in mid-January, when park crowds were very low.

 

[KPeveler]

I agree an ECV might be too difficult for her. Why don't you go to a local grocery store or target and try their ECVs? They are bigger and bulkier than the ones you would rent in Florida, but they drive the same way. If those are too difficult in a relatively empty store, then they would definitely be too hard in a crowd in Disney.

 

[roxannex]

Thanks. I did think about trying the one at the grocery store. I also saw the transport chairs on this board. That might also be something to look into, since they would be less bulky and lighter than regular wheel chairs.

 

[minnie mum]

I think I would vote against an ECV for a 90+ year old who doesn't drive. The stress of a)learning to drive it with confidence and b)coping with the heavy crowds would be too much. Go for a light weight W/C that you can rent from off site.

Having said that, I would still hesitate to take a 90 year old to WDW in the summer. Would she be able to handle that awful heat? Will you return to your resort for the afternoons?

 

[roxannex]

I know. But my mother *must take my grandmother anywhere or else she won't go. I had hoped my mother would come with us. But she never has fun when my grandmother is there because they fight and she worries about her so much!

So now I don't know whether we will go at all. We could always save the money! I was planning on renting a townhouse or house with a pool off property, so she could always just go to the parks in the evenings when it's a little cooler at a more leisurely pace. Honestly, my grandma carries around sweaters in 80 degree heat, so it's possible that Orlando weather in July would feel just right to her!

Thanks!

 

[Bete]

My mom is 90 now, too and she never drove. I never once though she could handle an ECV. It could be dangerous for her and others. What if she went in reverse when she meant to go forward. We've been using a wheelchair for Disney with my mom. We do use the travel wheelchair and her chair only weighs 15 pounds. I'm overweight and 58 and I manage the whole day doing this for her. We don't even take an afternoon break. She may sleep in a few shows, but that's ok by us. We go in the winter; so, we don't have to be worried about overheating.

You do have to plan a bit. You need to alternate the more strenous activities with more restful activities. For example, do a few rides and then go for lunch. Do a few more rides and then see a show. Again, do more rides and see a parade. If worse comes to worse you can have mom sit with grandma at the first aid station for a while for a rest. Taking a mid day rest back at your resort is the best idea. Let the heat of the day pass and then go back for the night.

 

[honeydiane1953]

We are considering a July trip to WDW. My mom really want to bring my 90 year old grandma. I'm very dubious about this. We actually did this trip in the winter about 4 years ago with a wheelchair for my grandma and it was hard then--without heat and July crowds.

So, I don't know if we will go at all, but if we do I was thinking that an ECV would be so much nicer. However, my grandmother does not drive and really never did (except for a short time in her life). She is very nervous about the idea of an ECV. Are they easy to master? I think she might be so nervous, she would get upset.

Somehow I don't think this is a good idea. The ECV does require some driving skill but the H E A T for all is bad. For an elderly person it can be dangerous. I am a nurse and have seen this first hand.