Arthritis in my hands and I need a mobility aid,but which one?

[mickey grandmom]

Last Disney trip 4 yrs ago I had a very hard time getting around. Now we will be going back in a month. Since our last trip I have gotten much worse. I retired from my job recently due to arthritis and back issues. I have faced the fact I will need a mobility aid. If I get a wheelchair my husband will need to push me. He has back issues himself. One place the arthritis effects is my hands. It is uncomfortable for me to hold onto the steering wheel when I drive,but since I usually do not go that far I can deal with it. I tried a scooter in a store which was suggested here. This scooter, you sort of squeezed the handle bars to make it go. I am a little anxious that the amount of time I would need to do that during a day would effect my hands. Has anyone with arthritis in their hands used a scooter at Disney? Did you have any problem? I just would hate to rent one from an outside source and find out it was something I couldn't use well. Thanks. This sight is very helpful.

 

[brat]

Talk with the folks at your local medical supply store, scooters are not all exactly the same.Some are easier on the hands.

My power chair uses a joystick.I have not seen any joystick scooters but I will look online to see if I can find one at the rental companies.

 

[ireland_nicole]

I don't know if it will help you, but when my wrists/hands are giving me trouble during a flare of my AI stuff, I wear wrist braces; they keep my hands in a natural position, and I have learned (carefully) to push the lever on my scooter using the bottom metal part of the brace. I make sure to turn the speed down on these days . I agree that they are not all made equally in terms of ease. My Revo seems much easier than the WDW ones, for instance.

 

[LoriABil]

I don't know if it will help you, but when my wrists/hands are giving me trouble during a flare of my AI stuff, I wear wrist braces; they keep my hands in a natural position, and I have learned (carefully) to push the lever on my scooter using the bottom metal part of the brace. I make sure to turn the speed down on these days . I agree that they are not all made equally in terms of ease. My Revo seems much easier than the WDW ones, for instance.

I was thinking the same thing when reading OP's post. I think
braces might be worth a try. Some insurances are very picky about paying for a modified scooter (like joystick instead of handle bars) so I would check on that, if insurance is even an issue.

 

[Singledad]

not all scooters are created the same. some you have to pull that bar to you, in a squeezing fashion. others have the bar not in the middle of the handle, but in front of it (near you) and you push the bar with your thumb or palm. this is much easier on the hands than having to squeeze.

others i've seen do not even have a bar, but more of a paddle. I am currently looking for good photos of the different controllers for you

eta: My searching skills are losing the battle tonight. can't find any decent photos of the controllers. I will keep looking. But I agree with PP who said talk with a medical supply company, or even the different rental companies and see what they suggest.

 

[maggie blossom]

Can you rent a power wheelchair instead of a scooter?
Power wheelchairs use joysticks, instead of the tiller on the scooter. A joystick is much easier on the hands.

For the long term if you need it in your community I would suggest you be evaluated by a Physical Therapist who does mobility evaluations. If it is determined that you cannot use a scooter because of your hands insurance will pay for a power wheelchair. Unfortunately it is a process that doesn't happen quickly so unlikely you would get it in time for a trip in a few months.

I know what I am talking about, I am one of those PTs. For the time being I am home using my own manual w/c due to recent surgery.

 

[Bete]

I would visit a mobility medical store in your local area and try some of their travel scooters. They will let you test drive them. In your test driving you might find the best one for you and then you'll have to search out the companies that rent that kind in Orlando. I would go to more than one local mobility store and try different kinds of scooters. I would stick to the smaller scooters; I would think they might be easier to drive. I would try the three wheel and the four wheel scooters. It may make a difference for you. The smaller scooters usually are cheaper to rent, too. You may want to consider a scooter with a cane holder attachment if you ever use a cane to help yourself walk. For example, you can't really drive your scooter to the bathroom stall or your dinner table. Keep in mind there are family restrooms in some park locations where you and your husband can go to the same bathroom together. He can hold on to you that way while you are walking. These bathrooms are bigger and have more handrails for holding. I'm not sure how much help you need; so, I'm trying to mention everything I can think of.

Not sure if you are on meds for your condition, but ask your doctor if there's something else he/she can do for you. Explain what you need to do with a scooter. The wrist brace may be a good idea and slowing down to the lowest speed of the scooter may help, too as others suggested. I know there are creams and patches for the arthritis; so, maybe, you can get some relief that way. Even those heat patches over the counter may help each night to get you ready for the next day. I would even try some products at home to see if it's helping your hands more before the trip.

Finally, alternate Disney activities while you are there with doing longer driving of the scooter and rest periods. If you just got done riding the scooter for a while take in a show which will allow you to rest your hands for 20 to 30 minutes. Eating will serve the same purpose. If you need to do shorter days or take breaks in your day and return to the resort for a while, then just use the stratedy that works out best for you. There are first aid stations in the park where you can even have a cot and take a nap if that will help you out.

Joystick wheelchairs can be tried out at mobility stores, too. I heard these are more exact when using them; they are more precise with turns, etc then a scooter. Also, they are harder to rent (less places offering them) and way more expensive to rent.

Being at Disney will make up for the hardship. I would call some rental scooter companies and see what their cancellation policy is once you take possession of the scooter. If it really doesn't work for you they may be able to give you a break on your fee with some form of credit. Line up some places where they may push you in a wheelchair for a fee.

 

[dclfun]

I don't know if you have time before your trip, but you might want to ask your Dr. for an Occupational Therapy evaluation, esp. if you are considering getting a scooter or power chair to use at home. They can best decide which option would work best, what kind of controls and seating unit would keep you in the best position to avoid stress on your joints. I would also be worried about any repetitive motion or squeezing that you'd have to do with your hands and also as some scooters have you leaning forward a bit, your back being hurt by that kind of positioning. Definitely try out some options though, as others have mentioned, in a medical supply store and/or call some of the rental places that deliver to WDW to see what they offer.---Kathy

 

[SueM in MN]

Can you rent a power wheelchair instead of a scooter?
Power wheelchairs use joysticks, instead of the tiller on the scooter. A joystick is much easier on the hands.

For the long term if you need it in your community I would suggest you be evaluated by a Physical Therapist who does mobility evaluations. If it is determined that you cannot use a scooter because of your hands insurance will pay for a power wheelchair. Unfortunately it is a process that doesn't happen quickly so unlikely you would get it in time for a trip in a few months.

I know what I am talking about, I am one of those PTs. For the time being I am home using my own manual w/c due to recent surgery.

Most of the rental companies in the WDW area will only rent power wheelchairs to people who already are experienced using one.
So, that is probably not an option. And, depending on the situation, a joystick may be even more of a problem because the driver is controlling everything with the joystick, the hand position doesn’t really change much. It’s basically a motion forward or back of the hand on the wrist, along with some twisting motions when you turn. I know that my DD’s hand get very tight when she is driving her power wheelchair for long periods of time. And, some of her friends have actually lost motion in their hands because of the small range of motion used to drive with a joystick.

So, I agree with dclfun that an OT evaluation would probably be helpful and with Bete that it may be very helpful to try some different scooters out in a local mobility store. As was pointed out, not all scooters activate the same way.
The different offsite companies rent different brands/types of scooters, so if you find one at a local place that works, you may find a company in the Orlando area that rents that same type.

And, all the hints about alternating activities is a good one.

 

[maggie blossom]

SueM in MN I just wanted to let you know there are different sizes and shapes of joysticks available and they can be set to be more or less sensitive. Also the location of the joystick can be modified. Many people are in their power wheelchairs all day and so they need to be able to drive them without hand pain. If your daughter has pain or stiffness from driving all day she may do better with a different joystick.
Not trying to meddle, just trying to help.
Wheelchair evaluations and modifications are done by Occupational Therapists and Physical Therapists. It is a highly specialized area of practice and it depends on who has done the training necessary to work in this area.
A list of certified therapists in your state can be found from RESNA website

 

[SueM in MN]

SueM in MN I just wanted to let you know there are different sizes and shapes of joysticks available and they can be set to be more or less sensitive. Also the location of the joystick can be modified. Many people are in their power wheelchairs all day and so they need to be able to drive them without hand pain. If your daughter has pain or stiffness from driving all day she may do better with a different joystick.
Not trying to meddle, just trying to help.
Wheelchair evaluations and modifications are done by Occupational Therapists and Physical Therapists. It is a highly specialized area of practice and it depends on who has done the training necessary to work in this area.
A list of certified therapists in your state can be found from RESNA website

Yes, I know.
She has tried different things. She had a ball, a small stick and what she now has is called a goalpost. It looks like a football goalpost. That allows different positions - she can drive with a fist, pushing it forward or backward and just tip from side to side to turn. She can also grab it with an open hand or her fingers closed around the flat surface.
She does have some arthritis in her hands and wrists, so no matter how good we get the joystick, she may still have some pain if she overdoes.

Good point about the seating evaluation needing to be by qualified people. We do use a clinic with OT, PT and a certified seating specialist.

 

[bedogged]

Last Disney trip 4 yrs ago I had a very hard time getting around. Now we will be going back in a month. Since our last trip I have gotten much worse. I retired from my job recently due to arthritis and back issues. I have faced the fact I will need a mobility aid. If I get a wheelchair my husband will need to push me. He has back issues himself. One place the arthritis effects is my hands. It is uncomfortable for me to hold onto the steering wheel when I drive,but since I usually do not go that far I can deal with it. I tried a scooter in a store which was suggested here. This scooter, you sort of squeezed the handle bars to make it go. I am a little anxious that the amount of time I would need to do that during a day would effect my hands. Has anyone with arthritis in their hands used a scooter at Disney? Did you have any problem? I just would hate to rent one from an outside source and find out it was something I couldn't use well. Thanks. This sight is very helpful.

I would suggest that you look at and try the Pride Go Go Elite models. I understand that you can rent those reasonably from Apple Scooters. I suggest that you look at this lightweight model because you can run it using either hand and switch hands during use. That might help with your situation.

 

[Piper]

I would suggest that you look at and try the Pride Go Go Elite models. I understand that you can rent those reasonably from Apple Scooters. I suggest that you look at this lightweight model because you can run it using either hand and switch hands during use. That might help with your situation.

I have a Pride GoGo and arthritis in my hands (among other places!) It works because I can use a fist or one finger or my thumb or the palm of my hand. The only time I really have trouble is when my shoulders are bothering me--then I just trade off which hand I am using.