Anyone knows wheelchairs, specifically power assisted but operated by the carer

[YogaLite]

We are looking to upgrade my adult ds manual wheelchair because we are starting to struggle.

The council wheelchair services don't offer power assisted wheelchairs operated by a carer.

Does anyone know whether any help is available to get one or even hire one apart from buying outright ourselves - they cost ££££ so massive expenditure.

Why not operated by DS ?
miggt influence advice

Because he can't judge the surfaces or direction, (eg kerbs etc), he has tremors in his hands so would be a danger to himself and others.

Motability? I know they do some other things besides cars, such as mobility scooters. Pay using the PIP mobility component (assuming you are in England).

I have one for my DH. He has physical problems from a stroke and severe cognitive problems from vascular dementia. I took out a bank loan and bought it because we were housebound without one; we live up a hill and there is no way I could push a non-powered chair up the hill (or get it up and down kerbs).

It has made the biggest possible difference to our lives - we go out for coffee and cake, or just for a walk down to the shops. This is huge for DH - he meets people, he joins in doing normal things. It's been totally worth it.

I got a Supachair Combi and the shop swapped the control onto the handle for me. As it's a medical requirement you shouldn't have to pay VAT and that makes a big difference.

Having a bank loan is like renting it - I just make a monthly payment.

Search on Attendant Controlled powerchairs - some places sell reconditioned and there's Facebook and Ebay because, sadly, there often comes a time when there's no use for the chair anymore.

My wheelchair supplier recently mentioned a charity that helps fund powerchairs - I know nothing about that them as I’m not currently looking for a new chair - but they are called the mobility trust.

I have an electric wheelchair and you can add a joystick for the carer to control the EW.
One thing I really appreciated is the fact you can rent the chair first to check if it’s working fir you. They are very helpful too.

Eezeego electric wheelchair

@FlipFlops4Me thank you, that is something I would be aiming for, to be able to get out more with him. I am laid out with bad back now after a short outing yesterday, not getting any younger ☹️

@UnevenBalance, the lightweight one looks perfect, I didn't realise the carer/attendant controls can be swapped/added. In fact I would be happy to add assisted option to the one we have now but that might not be possible although I will enquire.

Trying it out first before buying would help to see if it can fit into existing car, don't want to change it just yet until we absolutely have to.

Thank you both, much appreciated.

When I rented the EW with Eezeego, they took the value if the rent off the cost if the EW.
Which made ‘trying out the chair’ nowhere near as ‘risky’.

But hopefully you’ll be able to add the ‘cater control’ to the one you have already. That would be so much easier!

Thank you @UnevenBalance , I have messaged the company.

Definitely check Motability

Here's the application page for Mobility Trust;
https://mobilitytrust.org.uk/apply-for-help/

We bought a battery power pack and added it onto our son’s wheelchair. Made pushing him up hills sooo much easier.

Disadvantage though was, it made the chair heavier moving around the house. It was too quick to use indoors so you hook it up when not in use. It’s still attached to the chair but lifted off the floor.

You can get them through motorbility, even if you don't want to/can't use this route they should be a good source of information. Another option is checking with a charity that supports people with his condition. I'm seeing a client whose husband has one Tuesday, I can ask

@gotomomo, yes please if you can ask, I would be interested in the process.

The wheelchair services I was given a number for by local OT specifically say they don't provide carer-driven powered wheelchairs which surprised me.

At the same time I have heard that people get free powered wheelchair. I also hear that people buy their own so not sure at all of the process, could it be different in different councils??

I will keep asking I guess and will look into the power pack.

My adult ds uses a powerchair, though he can operate it himself. I'd recommend finding a local company who offer Motability if he receives higher mobility PiP or DLA.
They will arrange a try-out of a few chairs, and can arrange bespoke bits and bobs (such as the carer controls which would be mounted on the push bar).
DS is in the process of replacing his chair and I was surprised that even the top-of-the-range ones won't take up all of his mobility allowance (which is a blessing since one of his activities requires a hefty taxi fee each week!).

WCS are local NHS Trust funded. Ask for a referral from your GP. Or try self referral.

Of course, one of the advantages of Motability is that all servicing and repairs are covered.
The dealer will also have details of any hoists etc needed to get the chair into the car.
We have a Autochair hoist fitted to a 7 seater car, which works perfectly fine.

The car and the hoist pre-date our use of Motability so I'm not sure if the cost of the hoist could also be claimed as part of the Motability - we haven't needed to replace it.

Ask if they could provide a manual wheelchair with battery pack. The battery pack only helps with forward and back and the carer still has to push the chair in the right direction. It does help a lot with hills and even on the flat. Much easier than a manual chair but the wheelchair services should provide this or there might be a payment needed for it.

We got a power pack that could be attached to the wheelchair. Only useful if the wheelchair user isn't too heavy. Our family member was quite small and slim.

It used to be the case that libraries would have a directory like This that you could look up sources of funding. Maybe there is something else available online nowadays, but it could be that there is a source you are eligible for through your location, previous school, Union membership, Lions/Rotary club etc that would help you to purchase what your son needs.

Thank you everyone, a new learning curve for me.
Some good pointers there, I messaged a few places today and will continue during the week. I have looked up a mobility shop in the area so will enquire about a power pack.

Anything so I don't have to bend my back to push it.

OP in the meantime (and if possible) keep your hands closer to your hips when you push, so the power comes from your core/centre of gravity. If you push with arms outstretched it puts a lot more strain on your back.

When my son got to 18 we had an health assessment. He didn’t qualify for continuing care but did get funding for a new manual wheelchair with a power pack. Can only use on even ground and I do forget to put it on and get sore shoulders! I’d love him to operate his own chair but he’d be dangerous!!

The handles on most manual chairs are just too low aren’t they? The kiddy teeny chairs used to be the worst but he was light enough not to hurt back then.