wheelchair handle extensions

[Deesknee]

We've checked with where we got the chair. They are looking into it.

Everyone here is so helpful, I though maybe I could get an answer here.

DH is about 6' tall. The handles on my standard wheelchair are so low he has to bend over to push me. ( I am talking handles not arm rests). Does anyone have a solution for htis? Originally we thought my condition would be temporary, but it appears it will be permnant. ECV's are really not an option.

When we were having another issue fixed on the chair we asked if there is an option for handle extensions. The 1st woman got a catalog & showed us arm rest extensions. We explained we needed handle extensions again. She then asked the manager, who said he believed so, went out back to where our chair was being fixed & brought out our chair with arm rest extensions. I am 5'3" I really don't need arm rest extensions.
Like I said previously the manager said he will look into it. He believes there is some type of "cross bar" he can put on. Has anyone heard of that?

Thanks for any help.

 

[KPeveler]

I am very interested in the answer! As with you, an ECV is not an option.

I am tiny (with a tiny chair) and my wife is 5'9"!

I just need an attachment to make push handle higher! Looking for any help!

 

[BillSears]

I think that it will depend on the brand and make of the wheelchair.

These might work for you:

http://www.sportaid.com/quickie-bolt-on_push-handles.html

Actually on second thought they might not. It looks like they're meant to fasten to the bar on the back of this type of chair. But maybe it would work.

 

[lovetoscrap]

No idea if this would work, but you might look for "stroller handle extensions" and see if there is anything there that might work. You may need to adapt them to work with a wheelchair.


I also found this which looks like it adds a little more height: http://www.mobility-aids.com/site/492331/product/CTC3

 

[lovetoscrap]

Ooooo, just found these: http://www.medicalproductsdirect.com/wheelpusexha.html

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Totally agree with Bill -as usual-. It depends a lot on the brand of chair. I know that the brand of chair I use for instance, has pretty parge handle bars as the standard. If need be, I can get custom made longer handle bars at whatever size I would like.

It might be worth it to contact the manuefactorer (spelling?) and/or importer of your brand of chair and explain to them. Unfortunately too many times a local dealer doesn't know as much as they could or perhaps should.

Especially if you've got a chair that has removable handle bars already it should be relatively easy to make you custom sized handle bars that fit your situation if nothing is already available.

 

[SueM in MN]

This question came up before and there were some of the same items found, but some that have not been brought up yet.
Here's a link to the past thread.

A lot depends on the wheelchair brand and model, as was already mentioned.

Interestingly, we have wanted the push handles to be taller on DD's wheelchair since soon after she got it (in 2004). I was actually thinking of ordering one of the items. Before ordering, we looked at the wheelchair instruction manual to see if it said what size the tubing was.
Lo and behold, who would have thought, but the manual told us how to raise the push handles. So, now DD's push handles are the correct height without buying anything. She has a Quickie GP manual wheelchair.

What type/brand of chair is it?

 

[SueM in MN]

I think that it will depend on the brand and make of the wheelchair.

These might work for you:

http://www.sportaid.com/quickie-bolt-on_push-handles.html

Actually on second thought they might not. It looks like they're meant to fasten to the bar on the back of this type of chair. But maybe it would work.

It does look like it is meant to fasten to a cross bar - if you look closely you can see a hole at the bottom of the bar that looks like a cross bar would go thru it.

 

[retired and happy]

I notice there has been no response from Deesknee as to what kind of chair it is, but we have three teens in whhelchairs. All three have handles that look similar to the ones in the link above. But added to these handles on two of our chairs is a cross bar (I think I've heard it called a stroller handle) that snaps into the two handles and provides maybe 6 inches of additional height. The cross bar makes pushing two chairs a lot easier too. Our third chair does not have the crossbar because it is intended to fold, however a crossbar would be removable if folding became desireable.

 

[KPeveler]

I've got a new Quickie Q7, so not too many people have tried things out for that chair... But i am hopeful that I will figure something out!

 

[Deesknee]

Thank you all & please forgive my not responding sooner.

I honestly don't know what type of wheelchair I have. I only use it in large or confusing places. I have had it less than 3mnths. ( prior to that I was using a transport chair). When I wnet to the medical supply place, gave them my insurance card & told them we were unsure how long I would need it, they gave me this initially as a renter, and I assume have been billing my insurance.

I will find out what type of chair it is & post it. Also, does anyone have any suggestions on chairs. And if insurance usually lets you pick from a few different types? I don't mind paying out of pocket if it means DH doesn't end up with a hurt back.

Thanks again to everyone!

 

[Poohs Wishing Star]

Hi!

The following two websites have descriptions of how the extensions for the wheelchair handles can be made.

1. http://www.abledata.com/abledata.cf...19327&productid=185082&trail=0&discontinued=0

listed under custom adaptation

2. http://www.abledata.com/abledata.cf...=19327&productid=74550&trail=0&discontinued=0

listed under custom adaptation


It does not seem to be something that a person without the skills can do himself/herself. However, for someone with the knowledge of wheelchairs and metalwork, it should not be too difficult. So, maybe, if the gentleman working on the wheelchair can read what you need and how to accomplish it, he can construct something for you.



RJ

 

[KPeveler]

I actually think I can get stroller handle attachments from Quickie directly... but i may have my sister make me some!

 

[Deesknee]

My computer is finally working better & I was able to access the links you all provided.
My chair is a manual Invacare tracer ex2. So, it looks like there are extensions available

Since we haven't heard from the place we got the chair, I think I will order the extensions myself.

You all are wonderful!!! Thank you so very much. I found them at the medical products direct website link. Thanks again!

 

[billwendy]

Hi!

Im an OT and work in the wheelchair dept at our local Children's hospital.

Stroller handle extentions are typically for chairs that tilt in space. They make the chair more rigid, meaning you need to take it off to fold the chair like a sandwich. For a while quickie made an adjustable handle, but it was junky. Im not sure if they have it anymore. The picture of the handles in the beginnig of the post are for a sports style chair and meant to be mounted onto a cross bar.

We like to use Quickie's and Invacare/Action for the majority of our manual chairs. They seem to hold up well, and its easier to get parts for them if they malfunction. If you were to order your own chair, you could ask for tall push canes for your chair for your DH - they can tell you the measurements, and maybe help you figure out if they are the proper height for him.

I hope it all works out!!!

 

[Deesknee]

Hi!

Im an OT and work in the wheelchair dept at our local Children's hospital.

Stroller handle extentions are typically for chairs that tilt in space. They make the chair more rigid, meaning you need to take it off to fold the chair like a sandwich. For a while quickie made an adjustable handle, but it was junky. Im not sure if they have it anymore. The picture of the handles in the beginnig of the post are for a sports style chair and meant to be mounted onto a cross bar.

We like to use Quickie's and Invacare/Action for the majority of our manual chairs. They seem to hold up well, and its easier to get parts for them if they malfunction. If you were to order your own chair, you could ask for tall push canes for your chair for your DH - they can tell you the measurements, and maybe help you figure out if they are the proper height for him.

I hope it all works out!!!

Thank you.

 

[SueM in MN]

My DD has always had Quickie wheelchairs for her manual wheelchair and Invacare for her power wheelchairs.

We are going for a seating eval for a new manual wheelchair soon.
Generally, you invite an equipment company wheelchair specialist to come to the appointment. The seating team that has worked with my DD in the past has included an Occupational Therapist, a Physical Therapist and a seating specialist from the clinic.
My DD has complex seating needs, but someone with less complex needs may have less people involved.

The team discusses what the needs are and then several wheelchairs were shown to us with recommendations of why one or the other would better meet DD's needs (sometimes we get to see real wheelchairs, sometimes just pictures). Once we have decided on a wheelchair style, then we start looking at options.
Some people prefer to have the team make a recommendation and go with that. I've always been an informed consumer and usually have done some internet searching before the appointment so I know what is available.
If you have some very specific preferences, let the team know.

We've had a lot of experiences, so I know some things that don't work (I joke and say that the wheelchair companies should hire my DD to test models for them - because of her extreme tone, she breaks things that normally would not break and I have been told that some design changes were made to Quickie wheelchairs based on damage she did!).

Before you go, I would make a list of what features you think are important - like the extra high push handles, but also be aware that if they are too high, it might limit whether the chair can fit in cars trunks/backs of vans. One thing that is important for us is a headrest and my preference is for one that can be swung down when not in use, rather than the more usual kind that can be removed.

 

[KPeveler]

I love my new quickie, but i already had to return the push handles because their new "adjustable ones" are INSIDE the backcane width and actually narrow the back by two inches! (and i am only 100 lbs, so it is not like i weigh too much) They also were only about 12 inchess long, and attach at the seat base. So they were WAY too short even for me to push, much less someone a foot taller!

i now have integral push handles, and it is a rigid chair, so i am not worried about it folding.

I may look at some of the stroller handle attachments and just put them on a q7, if they fit!