OT: Best portable wheelchair brand?

[abitjaded]

Figured you guys might know. What is the best collapsible, reasonably priced wheelchair brand? Want to get our own for my 84 yr old mom to have at WDW, the airports and on the Magic cruise. Have checked ebay and there seems to be a couple major brands. Any other sites, webs, pointers? If I buy used, is this safe?

TIA,

Carla

 

[mamajoan]

Hi, Just to let you know Medicare will pay for a wheelchair if they have NOT already purchased a walker. Strange but true. You will need an Rx from her doc. Also, there are many different types of lightweight collaspable w/c's available. If mom will never be pushing herself you might consider a companion chair. This type of chair has 4 smaller wheels and is lighter than a standard w/c. Used w/c's can be found at substancial savings. Look for: good brakes, good seating, no tears, no cracks in wheel rubber, if it has removable armrests or swingaway, elevating leg rests-make sure they work, fit the chair correctly and work well. If mom is a larger person, over 250# she will need a wide w/c, these are more expensive but worth the cost.
I suggest calling local Medical supply stores. Check the local paper for w/c's too. There are a wide range of prices. A new standard wheelchair without accessories can be purchased for approx $400.
Happy w/c shopping!
Joan

 

[abitjaded]

Thanks mamajoan. Funny, Medicare already paid for a walker, but that was because she broke her leg and was non-weight bearing for 8 weeks. But the wheel chair is due to spinal fractures secondary to osteoporosis and just general loss of stamina, any idea if they will pay for two different modes of conveyance for two different problems, two (I should say 10) different specialists??? Does the companion chair take up less space? My mom weighs 100 pounds sopping wet.

Carla

 

[mamajoan]

Hi Carla, I am 99% sure that medicare will not pick up the cost of the w/c now that they already paid for the walker. Dumb huh? Also if she needs something like a shower bench I suggest getting the type of commode that can fit over the toilet and in the shower. Medicare will not pay for both...
A companion chair can not be self propelled, it does not have the big wheels in the rear. A companion chair is lighter weight and stores a little easier. Your mom sounds tiny, she probably would fit in a narrow, lightweight chair. I will get a few web sites for you to check out, if no one else comes up with any. Sorry to hear that your mom fell and fx her leg. Is she still non wt bearing?

 

[mamajoan]

I put in wheelchairs under search for yahoo and came up with all sorts of options
www spinlife.com seemed to have lots of chairs in a wide price range. quite a few under 300 bucks. Like I said you might want to call a local medical supply so you can see what you are getting. Joan

 

[SueM in MN]

Joan gave you a lot of good advice already. I agree with her that's it's best to go someplace where you can look at the equipment. You want to see how sturdy it feels, how easily you can fold it, how heavy it really is and how the weight is distributed. You can even see if it would fit in your trunk.
In addition, it would be nice if your mom is able to come with to try it out. Best way to see if it's comfortable is for the user to sit in it.
Good luck!