Transport wheelchair advice please

For my wife, we had both - a small sized wheelchair, and a transport. I had to buy the transport because conventional wheelchairs won’t fit through a 24” door.

I bought both chairs used at thrift stores for under $100 each. The transport one was very light aluminum, weighing around 30 pounds. The wheelchair felt like it was 100 plus pounds (but I was still recovering from surgery and shouldn’t have been lifting anything…ugh).

So…as far as my take on it? If you need to get through 24” doorways, you might have to get the transport. But if you need a wheelchair for outside navigation, look for the lightest one possible. And keep in mind, that the wheelchair is designed to be moved by the patient, while the transport has to have someone pushing it.

If you have a bumper hitch on your vehicle, they make a carrier that uses the hitch; it just slides into it. I’ve seen many vehicles with wheelchairs on the back, using that. Harbor Freight carried one for under $100, but almost any cheap hitch carrier can be made to carry a chair!

I also bought my wife a small 24” wide scooter. The things run around $300 or less new, and used they’re a little over $100. The batteries are a pain and don’t last too long, but it’s served it’s purpose for the both of us! They aren’t all that great for uneven surfaces (sidewalks/curbs), but they are great for getting around easily. The one we have is designed to come apart easily for storage or transport.  Each section weighs around 20 pounds and fits into the car trunk nicely!

Now…. If you can get your hubby to hold a rope, you can pull him behind the car! Just don’t stop too quick without warning!

Stay well,

John

devotion10 said:

Appreciate the responses.

Wolfen: how extraordinary that even as you and your family struggles that you responded to give me your personal ideas.  The first thing that I did was get one of those rolling walker things with a seat and yes, I have been using it as a mini wheelchair which is not the best. I was looking at the lightweight transport chairs for use in the house and it does seem that they would not be comfortable if one had to also use it as a chair.... thanks for sharing your experience.

John: wowsa appreciate you taking the time to provide such helpful information.  The difference in weight between the transport and regular wheelchairs really is an issue for me; also the width of the conventional chairs. Why is it now when I say the word conventional I fear a controversy on the board might start? ☺

We have a wooded property and I really would like something to navigate the paths.  I told him I was going to get a four-wheeler and put him in a little cart in the back … sort of like your rope behind the car idea … for a moment he thought I was serious and said he didn’t think he would be very comfortable like that.

Again, thank you both. ~ Cynthia

 

 

We purchased the first Wheel Chair through a medical supply company. It cost us $250.  It was a large wheel and fairly light.  The seconsd one we purchased was through ebay and cost $100 plus $25 shipping.  It was nearly identical to the first wheel chair and equally comfortable. We had time to wait for the chair and knew more. The large wheel model will go over little bumps easier. Many have padded seats and one can purchase the inflatable seats that vary the presure over different areas over time. Both chairs are still in use after 7 years.  (Both for older relatives.) 

The large wheel models make the negotiations over bumps much easier. 

Best Always,  mike

devotion10 said:

Thank you Mike.

I am still investigating our options and right now I am using the silly rollator walker as a transport in the house.  We have also devised a way that I walk in front of my husband and he places his hands on my shoulders for stability. If we do a coordinated left-right-left-right march it works quite well.  It also feels good to have his hands on my shoulders for support.  I definitely think the suggestion for a large wheel model or even an electric scooter will work best outdoors. My husband said he would prefer a motorcycle, but I put my foot down. ~ Cynthia

We had borrowed a wheelchair from one of my Mom's friend who had it for decades, got left behind after whoever was using it in their family. It was a big, and heavy one, but we could not afford to buy/rent one. But I quickly learned how to handle it, and quickly learned how to pull my Mom up on sidewalks (just turn it around with the back facing you and pull it up). We did not use it much as Mom had lots of pain already by that stage, but occasionally I couldn't resist of rolling her out to our garden, see the beatiful grass, and cruise around and see all the flowers that we used to take care of together....