Tips for buying a wheelchair

[3kidsfordis]

My mother is elderly and can't walk long distances. We have always rented a wheelchair for her. However, the walk from the parking lot to the tram and from the entrance to wheelchair rental is often difficult. Although she drives, she does not have a handicapped sticker as she only goes alone to places she can manage OK. Therefore, handicapped parking does not seem to be an option.

I'm thinking of buying a push wheelchair and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions as to what features to look for. It would be used in the airport, theme parks and possibly malls. Would have to fold up. Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

First of all I would suggest that she get a handicap hang tag from your State. Normally the paperwork can be found on the DMV site, filled in, and taken to your doctor at a regular appointment. Keep it in the car. You don't know when it will be needed, but if it is needed you have it.

As far as the purchase of a wheelchair, go to at least two durable equipment or mobility stores with her and talk to the people tere. Let them discuss, with her, what her needs are and their recommendations to best meet those needs. As you will be paying out of pocket for it, you might discuss purchase of a used chair with them.

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree with what Cheshire Figment wrote.

If she only goes places where she can manage, she probably could benefit from a handicapped parking card because there would be more places she might be able to manage if she didn't have to worry about a long walk thru the parking lot into the store.

I also agree that it might be a good idea to go somewhere that she can actually try some wheelchairs out. You don't need anything fancy, just a basic foldable wheelchair. But, some might be more comfortable than others and some might suit her needs more than others.

 

[3kidsfordis]

Thanks for your replies. I will take her to find a comfortable one. She won't request a placard as her only real disability is age (85). She doesn't drive most places alone so its not a hassle to drop her off at the door and find regular parking leaving the handicapped parking for someone who really needs it.

If we do decide to rent a chair at the parks, is it possible to drop her off close to the monorail or ferry to MK? Is there a place to wait with a bench? We are staying off-site and plan to go mainly to MK and AK this trip and maybe Epcot.

 

[SueM in MN]

If we do decide to rent a chair at the parks, is it possible to drop her off close to the monorail or ferry to MK? Is there a place to wait with a bench? We are staying off-site and plan to go mainly to MK and AK this trip and maybe Epcot.

Yes.
I believe the drop off point at MK is right near the Transportation and Ticket Center and there are places she could rest there. I know they have transfer wheelchairs at the handicapped parking that can be used to get to the rental place, but I think also I saw some transfer wheelchairs in the TTC area.

At AK, all the parking lots are a long way from the actual park entrance. The drop off point for AK is at the front of the handicapped parking area. They do have some transfer wheelchairs both by the handicapped parking area and by the bus area. There are also some benches on the way in.

One note about the transfer wheelchairs - there is no guarantee they will have one when you get there.

And, on the question about buying a wheelchair - I found this thread from earlier this year asking some of the same questions.

 

[merryweather20]

I'll third the parking. If you never need it great! But if you do need it it will be available. Just some points from my experience:

A. Just because her doctor hasn't suggested it doesn't mean its not needed. The only reason my doctor thought to tell me is my arthritis had gotten so bad, that he had to help me out to my car after my appointment and he was horrified when he saw where I parked my car.

B. Where she can manage, may not be where she really 'wants' to go.

C. Where she can manage may not be where she needs to go. You could end up needing to go to a hospital out of town for her, or for a family member. This was a big one for me. Negotiating hospitals is so tricky, it was very difficult getting in to see my Mom when she was dieing of liver Cancer. I wanted to go more, earlier, and stay later, but it was just too difficult and painful, that it cost us some time. When I finally got my parking pass I realized not having it had really cost me time with my Mom.

Get a form and take it into her doctor the next time you see him or her. That way if you are ever in a position where she needs to use the parking to get from point A to point B she has it available.