ECV vs wheelchair for mil with mobility issues

[tanyaandallie]

For the past year we have been planning on bringing my mil with us to wdw for a few days. In May she broke her hip. She is doing great, recovering well and able to walk with a cane now. However, she will not be able to handle the crazy walking at wdw.

I had planned on renting a regular wheelchair (probably from somewhere offsite) and dh and I pushing her around the parks. However, reading this board has me second guessing myself and thinking perhaps an ecv would be best?

My only other experience with an ECV was with my mom many years ago. She was at the end of chemo treatments and could not handle the walking. Let's just say that she was not so great with the ECV. I was fearful she was going to run someone over but she REALLY did not want to use a regular wheelchair.

MIL does not drive, has not driven since her 20s. I have no idea if that effects how she handles an ECV or not. She will only tour 2 evenings and 1 afternoon at DTD. She does not appear to mind being in a regular wheelchair.

What do you all think? Are we going to be ok with the regular wheelchair? Any tips on how to handle the wheelchair, make her more comfy, etc? We are going in August so it will be hot. I am reading all the info in the faq stickies and appreciate all the information.

 

[Piper]

With an ECV you must pay attention to the people around you at all times. They don't stop immediately when people suddenly stop in front of you or step in front of you.

Although the ECV gives you a little more independence, you cannot just relax check out the scenery. Since she doesn't drive and you are willing to push her, a WC may be her best option.

 

[peemagg]

I agree with Piper. A wheelchair might be the best option.

As far as keeping her comfortable, I would put a towel on the back rest and seat of the wheelchair. The vinyl can get very hot and sweaty. A towel will help with that.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Instead of deciding based on sentiments, emotions, expectations, or alikes why not hold of deciding until getting the facts?

Go with MIL to any of the bigger stores like Walmart, Target etc. and have her actually try out an ECV. Stay around her, trying out on slowest speed first. That way you can keep up. If she isn't able to afely operate even close, it will show within no time and you can safely intervene when walking next to her. If so; decision for chair has been made.

Going OK? Speed up a bit, but not before you kept an eye out to see if she's comfy enough with operating the ECV to still have enough concentration left to actively be aware of what's going on around her. Needing some time to get used to how the ECV stops (not on a dime), how it turns etc. is nothing to worry about in and of itself, as practice does a lot. If that goes OK and she can indeed keep an eye out around her; speed up a bit and go around with some "tasks". Like challenging her to do a bit more difficult turns, safely navigate locations where she can not see out a lot but people can dash up right in front of her (hint; corner that isn't easy to look around, esp. those where kids hang around will result in unpredictable situation). You will again want to be close enough to help out in case she would not be able to deal with sudden surprises.

All works again? ECV might be the way to go, if both of you realise she still needs some practice with the rental ECV (each type and brand have their own caracter in usage) and using one at WDW will be more draining seeing how it's a long day in a more crowded space.

If it turns out she does not have all the skills needed (doesn't really matter which one, even one is enough); wheelchair is the way to go. Why I'm so pro fact finding? Because that is the only way to KNOW you are making a fitting decision. To KNOW whether possible pros and cons are indeed pros and cons for your group or might be the total opposite. Because knowing from experience will strengthen the feeling you have made the right decision resulting in it being easier to keep up with the decision, not second guessing and being content with it. Not just you, but MIL also.


Also remember that there is no absolute must to always stick with one type of mobility aid. Sometimes different aids are better for different situations. For instance those that don't like operating an ECV in a busy park, can love driving one around to independantly go around the resort. Whatever works out. If she can walk quite some distances, for instance around a resort or restaurant but can benefit from some aid or option to sit down if needed; look into getting her a rollator. It's a walker with a seat. Can be a great aid to add into the mix to keep up her walking for as much as she can without the highest risk of falling (recovery from hip surgery with "elderly" in our country actually requires them to use a rollator, because it has found to not only built a sensation of trust but has drastically decreased falls during recovery). And not just that; it's a great way of dragging stuff along.

If going for mobility aids; small things can help greatly in comfort. For instance be aware of both ECV and wheelchair rental seating to be made from material that is not comfy at all. It sticks easily to skin, does not breath etc. A simple comfy piece of breathing cloth goes a huge way. More so in the Florida sun where you will sweat and sitting down........ well most will find it resulting in sweating bums and upperthighs. A good piece of fabric that breaths and takes up possible sweats make a yukky situation into a comfy one again. A simple one dollar rain cover can be heaven sent to keep the seating dry when leaving it outside for whatever reason during rain. Remove the cover from the seat and dry seating! For pushing a wheelchair it can sometimes be hard work on the hands, esp. in the warm weather of Florida. Wrapping some of the same breathable absorbant fabric around the push grips can make it a lot more comfy on your hands. Whatever you do; don't go for a transport chair! Those will not only make it more difficult on your pushing, but it will result in no real option for MIL to have ANY independant range of movement. A regular chair with the normal big wheels will at least give her the option of self propelling. Even if she can only propel 4 feet herself at one time, that can be a big thing when in a shop and she wants to go one way and doesn't want to constantly wait for you until you are done with your shopping in another area of that shop. Besides, having a loved one having any mobility independance is also a grat thing for those helping out.

 

[JennyDrake]

With an ECV you must pay attention to the people around you at all times. They don't stop immediately when people suddenly stop in front of you or step in front of you.

Although the ECV gives you a little more independence, you cannot just relax check out the scenery. Since she doesn't drive and you are willing to push her, a WC may be her best option.

An ECV is still very doable. I travel as a companion to a senior who has never driven. The ECV DOES have its challenges and I highly recommend you take the controls whenever she needs to back up. Still, physically it is much easier than pushing a WC all day.

 

[tanyaandallie]

Thanks for all the advise! Unfortunately we do not live close to her or I'd take her somewhere to try them out. I think I may have dh's aunt (who lives close) take her out to try one out and see what she thinks. DH has arthritis in his knee so I worry about him spending very much time pushing a wheelchair.

 

[bumbershoot]

DH has arthritis in his knee so I worry about him spending very much time pushing a wheelchair.

So you would be the only one? In that case I would definitely see if she can do the ECV.

We're in a similar boat. My MIL has a heart condition that causes her to wear out VERY easily. She's joining us on a 3 night cruise and then about 4 days at WDW. We've been trying to convince her that an ECV will be best, but she insists on a wheelchair. Although I don't love this idea, because it will be DH and I pushing her, I'm coming around to it. DH and I are basically strong and healthy people with good backs, and her eyesight isn't so great. So it might very well be the best solution for us. But if one of us hurt ourselves before Feb, or developed something like arthritis, we would have to come up with a different solution.

We are planning on just buying her some cushy, wicking stuff for behind and under her, otherwise she'll be really uncomfortable.

(we've even tried to get her to talk about a wheelchair/ECV for home, but it seems that medicare requires that you require it for *in the home*. She lives in a retirement place, in a studio apartment. Even she doesn't tire out walking around in there, and it's so small that "wheels" wouldn't fit in there. So we either have to buy her something (we cannot) or rent it.)

 

[tanyaandallie]

DH is fine and should be fine pushing the wheelchair but.....if his knee flares up he is out for pushing.

 

[jdb in AZ]

DH is fine and should be fine pushing the wheelchair but.....if his knee flares up he is out for pushing.

My DH thought his knees were in fine shape til he pushed his mom's wheelchair around Disneyland. Did some permanent damage there. Please be careful!