Wheelchairs ??????

[Johnny]

Anyone know anything about manual wheelchairs.

My wife had a very bad fall last week and the doctor told her if she wanted to get around she should look at buying a wheelchair. She will need it for about 6 months.

Right now we have one from the hospital, but it's not really made to take in and out of a van. Very heavy. Our insurance company's said to get what we want that would work best for her.

I won't tell her weight as she would kill me, but let's just say a standard wheelchair is good up to 250 lbs and that won't do.

Any suggestions appreciated.

Thanks

 

[methusaleh]

Contact a local medical supply house and rent a used one, it is far cheaper than buying new. My mother has MS and uses a chair when she is going out shopping for long periods of time, she was able to get a good deal on a used one (to own) from a medical supply place, and they even handled all the insurance paperwork for her.

 

[55Test]

I used a wheelchair once about 10 years ago after my motorcycle accident and at the time, well let's just say I was probably close to the weight limit of a standard wheelchair. My wheelchair was rented from the Red Cross, can't remember what it cost but I think the other person's insurance picked up the tab. Just ask the hospital what chairs they use for bigger people and go for one of them.

 

[Bob Woods]

There are wheel chairs made for larger heavier people, call a medical supply company. Check out
http://www.spinlife.com/critpath/match.cfm?categoryID=48

 

[Shannow]

There are a heap of designs out there, and you really need to think about how it's going to be used.

I'll give you some examples...using a person that I've known,(and pushed around) for 35 years. Ive driven all of the chairs, and know how they "handle".

If the person using the chair is confident, and reasonably able to do things like "wheelies", balancing on the rear wheels for a few seconds at least, then your choice is heaps easy...anything that they feel comfortable in, and can manouever.

If they aren't, and you think that you'll spend a lot of time helping them up a stair/kerb, then you need something that will make YOUR life easier. High Centre of Gravity, with the rear wheels close to the centre of mass. You'll be able to tilt the chair back without wrenching your back out, and the final lift over the kerb is more of a "push". These chairs are tricky to "wheelie", as they need a lot more balance, and respond quicker (plus fail into the "arseup" condition more regularly). Also more prone to faceplants.

If the CG is low, and forward of the rear wheel centreline, you will wrench to get the fron wheels airborne, and have to lift the full weight up a kerb. However, it is easier for someone who can wheelie to climb steps and kerbs.

Pick something with a decent size front wheel, regardless. Casters don't work on carpet, and small front wheels don't work well on grass, sand, regular dirt etc.

If you can post some pics of your choices, I can give you some pros and cons of each.

 

[moribundman]

Whatever you do, don't get the used discount model. If you've watched Seinfeld, you know why!