Temporary access to house via ramp

[Moel]

looking for some pragmatic advice here. My parent’s mobility has declined to the point they can only leave the house in their wheelchair. I’ve spent a lot of time and £££ getting a ramp fitted at their property to accommodate this. It’s a semi-permanent one. Problem is at my house. Parent only comes on Xmas day so I’m looking for a solution that doesn’t cost hundreds and isn’t permanent or semi permanent. I was thinking about loading ramps as to get a specific wheelchair telescopic ramp or suitcase ramp in the length needed would be very expensive. I’m scanning for second hand ones and no joy. Weight wise loading ramps are ok. I guess they aren’t recommended for wheelchairs as there is no groove either side so the chair could conceivably slip off. My
parent can’t push themselves so there would be two people assisting. Has anyone used these for a wheelchair or does anyone have any alternative ideas?

Have you seen evacuation/escape ramps? They are temporary ramps for getting wheelchair users out of buildings up/down one or two stairs in the event of an emergency. Start at around £80 up to around £400+.

What situation is the ramp for, exactly? A door threshold, a step or two...?

My DD bought a wheelchair one.

like this

https://amzn.eu/d/8KEE1fb

you need to calculate the distance you need carefully though

Are we talking about getting your parent into the house from the pavement/drive, rather than into the vehicle? If so, you need to measure your door threshold height. Then there will be an appropriate ramp that's fairly cheap.

https://www.therampfactory.co.uk/threshold-ramps/rubber-threshold-ramps

@Lougle yes, it’s into a house up two
steps. I need at least 6ft. The prices quoted for wheelchair specific ramps sound reasonable but the headline price is always for 2ft and by the time you size up it’s more. It’s expensive given it’s for one day and I’ve just spent close on 1k for the semi-permanent ramp in their own home. I’m trying to save some money without recklessly endangering them! Getting the loading ramps is cheaper per length. I can see the lack of lip on the outside edge of the runner would be problematic for self propelling wheelchair users, also the angle has to be calculated exactly for self propelling too however this is a one off with a couple of able bodied people to push so angle (within reason)/lip is less of a concern. I’ve looked at hiring too but there’s no options local to me.

Do you mean an evacuation chair? That’s a good shout. We have them at work though I
dont think my employer would be up for loaning one out! That is another avenue to explore.

Hi,

https://www.manageathome.co.uk/products/aerolight-up-over-ramp-kit_13203

what about this? I have a wheelchair user relative, he uses this ramp to get in and out of his house quite successfully and it has a lip either side.

For the above, appreciate its about 800, for 6ft length of that what you’re after. My relatives put it out and remove it quite easily if it’s a temp one you’re after

@Puffins84 thanks - that’s outside of budget for a one off use. I’m really looking for solutions that are one hundred or under.

How mobile is your relative? Could they be physically assisted up the two steps ie carried, helped to climb them etc?

ETA - can they stand at all? Mobilise at all? Use a walker?
https://amzn.eu/d/cYysXZ0

Personally I’d go for a steeper slope than loading ramps. Which means shorter ramp.

If weight isn’t too much of an issue then you can get away with quite a steep slope.

Some other options to consider:
anywhere locally with temporary ramps you could borrow (eg shops with steps)?
Red cross - often do loan of equipment.
Is there a back door? Is that any easier?

(and is the inside of the house wheelchair accessible - not all door ways are).

No problem at all - all the best with looking for it :) I know how long I looked for solutions too with my relatives and wasn’t easy to find something for them either xxx

What about covering a heavy weight exterior plywood or similar with non slip rubber matting? A few cross pieces of 2 x 2 on the back for extra strength. Sort of like a door

In the past when we’ve travelled abroad with my dad who is a wheelchair user, we’re hired ramps from the local Red Cross (or equivalent charity). Is there something similar near you that might do the same?

I wouldn’t buy anything for under £100 because it probably won’t be very safe/flimsy.

it’s very very frustrating that these companies are allowed to place such high prices on these products.

I’d be very worried about plywood breaking under the pressure.

one adult plus a wheelchair (electric?) is heavy. There’s only 4 points of contact.

W DF we have a little ramp that we move for single steps. The one time we wanted him to be somewhere where the ramp wouldn’t work we had 3 strong teens bodily lift him and chair. Not ideal but it worked. Not to be repeated at all regularly but we would do it again for Christmas if needed. Could something like that work?

There’s a few online videos about this. I think if you have sufficient points of contact underneath it could work but the weight bearing factor would be a concern!

I wish I could do the lift option. sadly my parent is no light weight :-(

I checked the Red Cross and they don’t do it. I do wonder how many people hire a wheelchair from them and then encounter this issue. I found a company in Bristol that hire but sadly I am nowhere near Bristol. It’s a shame as the price was very reasonable.

Suggest trying building equipment/tool hire places near you - here's an example, £20 a week for a nearly 8ft long ramp: www.speedyservices.com/hire/building-site-works/01_0098-h-Roll-a-Ramp-244m-SWL-453kg

The hire option just above looks great.

We made one out of decking type wood as a semi permanent structure for my parents. Worked well but weighed a metric ton so not great unless you have somewhere you can hide it afterwards for occasional visits.

Do you have all the right stuff in place for bathroom visits etc though? Getting them into the house was only the first step in my experience. While it's nice to host them and for them to get out, there comes a point where it's just not practical.

Brilliant! Love that.

Yes, I have the other kit. Sadly, parent is deteriorating year on year. Gone from being able to stay overnight and mange stairs to not able to cope with the threshold step. We have coped with all the intervening steps so are set up in that respect.

That’s another good suggestion - last year that gadget would have helped. I think over the last year though we’ve gone beyond this and with the ramp in their own home now, they have got out of practice at even tackling small steps. It is hip and knee issues plus fear after numerous falls. They are also about 13 stone, maybe more, so I can’t support or risk causing myself an injury.

It’s so hard. My dad is 13 stone too, and 6 foot 3, and there is no way DH or I could have got him up. Weight lifting teens were needed! Ugh it’s tough…
Building rental idea is brilliant tho! Do avoid narrow ramps…