Anyone know where I can get a wheelchair for an adult on a very tight budget?

[Kimi]

Need one for my mum, nothing flash, just so we can push her round shops and so on, anyone know where to start looking (already on ebay but not much there)
Does anyone know if mum as a diabetic pensioner is entitled to help with getting a chair?
Thanks in advance, will check back later

[SaintRiven]

ebay. The Red Cross will lend you one.
Ask her GP if she qualifies for an NHS chair. She might but its always a wait.

[zippitippitoes]

being diabetic or a pensioner in themselves no but she could be assessed...she could speak to her gp as a starting point obviously she may have problems with her feet as a diabetic or other mobility problems

organisations like help the aged and age concern aslo have good advice and websites

[saint2shoes]

my sm was entitled to the nhs £350 voucher.
so worth looking into that.
also check out if she is able to borrow one from SS.(you borrow it and keep it for as long as you need.)
I have also seen quite a few in charity shops.
(what area are you in?)

[zippitippitoes]

she may also be able to get a badge for the car if she meets the assessment

[zippitippitoes]

you could also try post office window wanted ad or supermarket board ad as i think they are available as people dont know what to do wtih them when relatives die

[SaintRiven]

the NHS are giving me a new manual chair (eventually) so its possible they may forget to take the old one. If they do I'll let you know.

[Kimi]

Saint2 I am near Surrey
SaintRiven thank you that is very kind.

Mums GP is not very good, she has ulcers on her feet and is in a lot of pain, it is sad to see as she is only 64

[SaintRiven]

what are you like about driving? I'm in Bristol. If you want to come borrow it right now then you can. Wheelchair services haven't given me a date for the new chair so it could be months. My manual chair is sat unused right now.

[zippitippitoes]

she must press for appropriate treatment to foot problems they can be exgtremely serious and lead to gangrene

does she see a chorpidist

and how well balanced is she

it is very important

how are her eyes

[Kimi]

Oh riven you are so kind, I don't drive but DH1 is going to take our boys to Somerset in November so maybe we could sort some thing out if I still have not found one.
Gosh people on mumsnet are kind.

[SaintRiven]

awwww, its clogging up my hall
seriously, if you can get to Bristol or find any mumsnetters going from Bristol to your area then you can borrow it. I hate to think of your mum struggling. Its got a cushion.

[zippitippitoes]

brilliant riven

she does need to do her best to keep her cardio vadscular system going

so perhaps she needs some advice on how to do that as well

[Kimi]

Zipp, she has had her toenails done and so on but at the moment we are trying to get her a nurse to visit at home as she can not get to the the clinic, I don't drive and cabs cost £12 each way. Her eyes are quite good although she wares glasses, she can balance it is just so painful walking.
She does not take very good care of herself though, skips meals and so on.

Her feet are very very bad

[zippitippitoes]

sorry i meant keeping her diabetes balnced

it is crucial to controil diabetes as foot problems risk amputation and wounds injuries to feet are very easy for diabetics

she will need decent shoes which fit well too

[zippitippitoes]

sorry diabetic feet are easily damaged i am being particvularly illiterate this am

[zippitippitoes]

she should be eligible for a free or low cost car to the clinic

volunteers act as drivers under schemes in most areas

i am sure the names of the shemes vary but they should exist everywhere

[zippitippitoes]

is she on insulin does she understand how to manage her diabetes self management is really impirtant and she must not skip meals

[zippitippitoes]

she is young she must take care of herself as it will make an enormous difference to the qulaity of her life and the length of it

is she depressed if she is missing meals

[Kimi]

I am finding out so much stuff to chase up on Monday, thank you.
The ulcer started because she got a sand fly bite on holiday in January and she has gone down hill since.

Saved 3 years for a sodding holiday and this is what happens!!!!

She will only ware sandals not proper shoes and she still thinks a biscuit and a cup of tea is a breakfast food. Her blood is always high but she won't have pills to help it in case they affect her ADs. It is all so sad.

I also am diabetic (diet controlled) and my blood is never above 7 (well apart from the birthday cake incident) and I look after my tootsies.

[zippitippitoes]

that is such a classic for foot problems any injury to feet can be a downhill spiral

she must be educated to realise how essential it is to manage her diabetes (sorry you will know this i know)

she doesnt sound very motivated

acess as much help as you can

there is the diabetic association as well

nhs resources are always limited and you have to work really hard and operistently to get them but they do exist

[zippitippitoes]

she needs proper shoes to protect her toes

because stubbing a toe or a splinter or ingrowing toenail can all cause terrible problems

has she got broad feet

m and s footgloves might work

[Kimi]

Thank you everyone, popping out now back later. x

[PheasantPlucker]

Kimi, I see you are in Surrey, I don't know how much they charge but I went past a mobility shop in Kingston on Friday who were hiring wheelchairs (I think it said by the week). It was the main road into Kingston from Wimbledon, that passes the hospital - can't remember the name of the road.

[TotalChaos]

kimi - i think there is a special sort of crocs with reinforced toebit that is meant to be good for diabetics, maybe she would wear those?

www.healthyshoes.co.uk/crocs-rx-cloud-%C3%82%E2%80%93-diabetic-comfort-shoe-p-2590.html

[Kimi]

Thank you again everyone, a friend of mine said I should try freecycle too,

My sister said good god don't get her a scooted she will mow people down like skittles .

Lots of good advice here and lots to look in to thank you all