wheelchair ques

[abmitch01]

anyone know a good site to buy a transport wheelchair from? my mom didn't find the one medicare pays for to be very comfortable so she is buying out of pocket. I assume the medical supply stores cost more than online versions. Anyone ever had to buy one of these chairs?

also, if anyone knows of a site that sells bags to hang on the backs of wheelchairs, please let me know. TIA!

 

[prncess674]

Transport wheelchairs are meant to be used for low travel small trips. Does she have some medical problem that would make it extremely painful to use it for a short term trip from the car to a doctor's office etc? The term alone assumes that it isn't the main WC used.

My Dad has one and puts his chair pad in the transport chair but there is no way a lightweight transport chair is going to be more comfortable than a full servcie chair that is usually specially built for the occupant.

 

[SueM in MN]

If I understand correctly, she has a wheelchair, but doesn’t find it comfortable?

Rather than try to find a different wheelchair, if the seat is what is uncomfortable, I’d suggest she look at buying a seat pad.
Amazon.com is a good place to search - you can find them all the way from less than $20 on up. Just search for the words wheelchair seat cushion or wheelchair cushion. You can also find foam backs.
You can also do a search on Amazon for wheelchair bags. We just use a regular backpack on DD’s wheelchair. It works quite well and you can find different sizes and configurations in places like Target, Walmart, etc.

You can also find seat cushions in places like Target and Walmart, but they on.y sell them online.

Where ever you get it, I would not recommend a convoluted foam ('egg-crate’) style seat unless it has a cover. The foam alone gets hot.

 

[CTdiznymom]

My mom uses a transport chair for basically getting from the car into the drs. office, or to the occasional dinner out. She's about 160lbs. with no other disabilities other than not being able to walk long distances. You can find these type chairs thru your local CVS, or Walgreens. If you check your local Sunday circulars they're sometimes on sale for $99. If you drive your mom around, this type chair is much easier to get in and out of the trunk than a regular wc.

 

[abmitch01]

yes, she's using it to be pushed from place to place as she can't self propel a traditional chair. She went to another vender last night and found one that medicare covers that is more comfortable for her. So that's great. As a nurse, I encouraged her to get a seat cushion, hopefully she will.

I did find tons of w/c accessories- bags, cup holders, etc on Amazon. I can't wait to get the chair so I can take her places more easily. I think using the scooter at disney really helped convince her it was time to try some sort of chair.