wc vs transport chair

[LuvEeyore]

I am thinking of purchasing a chair for Mom age 75 who ambulates well but has trouble with her left leg givening out and standing long periods of time. I have used a wheelchair with her and a transport chair both. I like the transport chair for ease of getting in and out of a car and Mom doesnt like to stay in a chair ie at restraunts etc and gets into rides etc without difficulty given time to move and get comfortable.

Second thing noted...I got my stretcher license at a k mart blue light special and long with my bed driving license but my wheelchair license is no longer in question cause I learned when a dumped Grandpa when I was age 15 hour to do doorways.(Ha!!Ha!!) and I can use a wheelchair well . I am a nurse and have worked longterm care. I will also have chair help.

Here is the deliemma--buy a transport chair or a light wheelchair? Any suggestions.

We do several weekend trips to places a year...going to Charleston SC in two weeks, Norfolk. VA Beach in June and WDW in July.

 

[SueM in MN]

I would suggest going with comfort.
Some people have posted that they found the transport chair uncomfortable compared to a wheelchair. Others found it did not matter for them.

If she is equally comfortable in them, I would say second thing to look at would be ease of pushing it. Since the tires are smaller on the transport chair, it can be a little more difficult to push. But that can depend on the size of the person being pushed.

After that, it's probably more dependent on your individual situation - one or the other might fit better in your car trunk or be easier for you to lift in.

If you are using the WDW buses, you would be able to load both thru the back door. The wheelchair would probably be able to be attached down with the tiedown straps on the bus. The transport chair is usually lighter weight and may not be able to be tied down without risking damage to the frame.

 

[lovetoscrap]

Is your mom local to you? Maybe take her to a Medical Supply store and let her sit in the different types, and you push her a around and see what you both think. You could also rent one for a few days and see how you like it, and then rent the other and then make your decision.

Will her insurance help pay for a wc? That could also be a deciding factor.

Or would she maybe like one of the walkers with a seat better? That way she has support when she is walking, and somewhere to sit while in lines or if she just needs a rest.

ETA: Where are you? I used to live in Bristol and absolutely loved it there!

 

[Bete]

for my mom and we all love it. It's so portable and lightweight; our chair goes 15 pounds. We bought a cushion for it and that works very well. It even comes with a seat belt. Now, My mom goes about 110 pounds; so, your weight may have something to do with how you feel in it. My mom never complains about being in it.

I would have a rough time pushing a heavy wheelchair; so, there has to be a compromise with everyone. Also, the chair fits well in our trunk. We don't have to use a wheelchair all the time for her and that makes a difference, too.