We are bringing my mil this coming april.......she will be 86 by that

[pumba]

time.....we are sure we will need a wheelchair for her.....the walking would probably do her in....either she can sit and be wheeled or when she wants to try walking.....holding her balance by pushing it herself......Has anyone had an elderly person with them.....and what can we expect.....don't want her to over do it.....Also she is a diabetic ....insulin dependant....any help would be appreciated......

 

[Cheshire Figment]

You may be better off renting an ECV, as pushing a wheelchair can get very tiresome, especially if you are not used to it. Also it depends on the weight of the passenger and the condition of the pusher(s). Some information for off-site rentals are:

Here are the urls:

Care Medical:
http://www.caremedicalequipment.com/

Walker Mobility:
1-888-726-6837
www.walkermobility.com

RANDY'S Mobility is in Kissimmee 407-892-4777
http://randysmobility.com/

Colonial Medical
http://www.colonialmed.com/about_cms.html

I have used Walker a few times. They will ask for a credit card and charge it the day before arrival. They will deliver the ECV to your hotel bell services before your arrival and pick it up there after your departure. Their rates, especially for longer than a week, are much better than Disney's. Also, their scooters are much better.

You don't say if you are renting a car or what. If you are using a car for getting around, the ECVs break down into five pieces, the heaviest about 39 pounds. They take about a minute or so to take apart and about two minutes (once you are used to it) to put it together.

Another suggestion is find out your state's requirements for a termporary disabled hang tag and get the paper work and have your doctor sign off on it. The tag will allow you to use any of the handicap parking areas (which will be a necessity). Also, with the policy of charging for valet parking, with a handicap hang tag the fees will be waived. Also the valets will usually volunteer to assist in loading/unloading an ECV. In Virginia I printed the required form from the DMV website. When I took the completed form to the DMV Office it took less than 15 minutes from the time I walked in until I had my tag.

Good luck and let us know what finally happens.

 

[lisapooh]

Pumba,
So she has had diabetes since childhood. Wow that is awesome that she is still living. The majority of insulin dependent diabetics don't live to such an old age.
I would get her to try the ECVs at the grocery store and make sure she can handle them before renting one for her over a wheelchair. If she can handle one there she should be able to handle one at Disney.
As for the diabetes there should be no problems as long as she continues to eat normally. Diet sodas are available as well as water. She should know what foods she can have. Being diabetic as long as she has she knows the routine and should have no problems.

 

[nancycels]

my mom went w/us this year, in July! Of course she's 72, a bit younger, and easily gets around on her own, but we found that we just needed to slow down our pace, and plan park visits a little better...usually we just go go go... but she wd have been totally exhausted if we'd done that... had good success at Animal Kingdom, Blizzard Beach, and Sea World especially. She'd just been to MGM and EPCOT a few months earlier w/my aunt and uncle so we skipped those! Sea world is very easy on grandmothers/fathers etc. lots of places to stop and sit, lots of inside shows or very well shaded. Animal Kingdom was a little tougher, but there are quite a few good places to relax there during the day too! Recommend Rainforest for lunch or dinner, nice and cool... and maybe if u call ahead u can get reservations if u tell them why u want them(not sure what their policy is). Hope u all have a ball! Dis is truly for kids of all ages! <g>

 

[Wheelsie]

Welcome to disABILITIES Pum!!

 

[SueM in MN]

I read this a few hours ago, but wasn't able to respond because my DD was on the computer all night.
Although an ecv would give her a lot of independence, I think a lot of 86 year olds would be pretty intimidated using as ecv. I also would suggest that you go to a grocery store or somewhere like Target to let her try one out if you are thinking of renting one. I would not rent one without knowing how comfortable she felt about the idea of driving it. you can also rent wheelchairs from the same companies that Cheshire Figment listed. It's less expensive to do it that way than renting per day from WDW, you have it for use at your resort and if you don't have a wheelchair, the walk from Handicapped Parking in some parks can be pretty long.
You all might be happier with a wheelchair. Getting out of the wheelchair and walking around is a good idea. It would help her not get too stiff and avoid some other problems of sitting all day. If the wheelchair would help her to be more steady for walking, that's a big positive. The only suggestion I have is to put something in the wheelchair when she's walking behind it. If you don't, it's kind of light and moves too easily. We found that out when we used to do that with my DD.

 

[pumba]

been only for the last twenty years........She is a truely independent person and still drives her own vehicle. BUT walking is the problem. I do believe that we would do better with a wheelchair that we all can take turns pushing. We are going to be six adults and two kids. So putting the backpacks in the wheelchair will keep it from going to fast ....They don't tip over if she puts her pressure on the handles. I do appreciate all your help. I think our biggest problem will be the walking and not her diabetes. AND lack of veggies in the world. thanks again

 

[lisapooh]

BASIC LESSON IN DIABETES
Not all people usimg diabetes are insulin dependent diabetes. IDDM has a specific meaning and refers to people who do not make insulin. They are usually diagnosed as children and young adults under 30 years of age. They have what is now called type 1 diabetes.
NIDDM (now referred to as type 2 diabetes) is non-insulin dependent diabetes but it may require the use of insulin when other measure to control the blood sugar have not been successful. Many type 2 diabetics use injected insulin although their bodies produce plenty of insulin. Their bodies cannot use the insulin it produces properly. This is the type of diabetes most diabetics have that are diagnosed as adults. There are a few children with type 2 and it is being seen more in children. The majority of diabetics are non-insulin dependednt and about 1/2 of them use insulin.
A very few people are both insulin resistant and also produce little to no insulin.

pumba your grandmother is probably type 2 and not insulin dedpendent but is insulin using. After 20 years she probably has it under control and know what to do. As long as she tests and eats as she is used to she should not have problems. The inportant thing is testing to make sure she isn't too low if she does added walking. If she is using the wheelchair she may tend to be a bit higher.