Indoor powerchairs - people’s experience? Also new or second-hand?

[PowerChairQuestion]

hi folks,

First as a background, my mother is 88 and lives in a first floor flat. She is housebound now because of problems with her knees and general unsteadiness.

She is considering getting a power chair to help her move around her flat. Her flat is small, so she will need a small power chair. Unlikely to be needed outside.

From my research, the kind of small power chair she would probably need varies in price from £2000 onwards, up to £7000 even. She could afford it, but still it’s a lot of money if she doesn’t “get on with it”.

If she bought new, she would have the added advantage of having someone come and do a demonstration before she chose. The alternative is for me to do research and buy a secondhand one. I would probably have to help her to get the power chair to work and get her used to it, which might be difficult as I live far away and only visit once every six weeks on average. Did anyone here find their elderly parent find it easy or difficult to use?

I was just wondering about other people’s experience of power chairs? Positive or negative? And also then the question of new or secondhand?

I should add that my mother is mentally proficient generally, but she is also very slow at picking up new things up e.g. she just couldn’t get the hang of her iPhone apart from making calls, or getting her digital air fryer to work (some sympathy with the latter!)

Thank you 🙌

I would get an OT to do an assessment first before spending big money on something that could be a hazard!

Thanks. Is OT an occupational therapist? She has had visits from various people, community nurses etc. but I don’t think she has raised this particular question with them. I will ask her to.

Yes, occupational therapist. The problem is, someone selling her a power chair is a salesperson so has a vested interest in her buying one. My Ds is an OT and is often horrified at what equipment people end up buying thinking it’s going to help them.

Brill @Soontobe60 thank you so much. One last question, should my DM ask for an occupational therapist on the NHS, or pay privately for this advice? (She could afford to pay privately, for example if it was better e.g.if they took more time helping her decide, or supported her with it if it was purchased?)

Yes this ask for an assesment or you can get private OT assesments done don't buy something that won't do her.

At her life stage and if she can afford it just pay privately.

Thank you @Coffeeishot

I agree re getting an OT assessment. If she can pay privately I'd do that as you'll be waiting a while on the NHS.

My mother had an NHS OT assessment when she was still at home with carers (there was a lengthy wait for the assessment). They looked at things like trip hazards (rugs, loose carpets etc) and other safety issues. They can tell you if her flat is suitable for a power chair, if would be the right thing for her, and give other helpful advice on any aids she could use.

I would add a word of warning that she might not be able to learn to use it. MIL had a couple on trial from a local second hand company and just couldn't get the hang of it at all. I tried and didn't find it the easiest. My DC could whizz around tiny spaces in an instant, the power of youth. MIL had one at a hotel break and just didn't have the spacial awareness to manage to keep it in a straight line on a wide corridor. I will add that she gave up very easily too, so perhaps if your Mother is more determined it would be better.

All the posts have helped a lot, ty. My 88 year old mother is also still holding out for a manual wheelchair she can pedal or push the wheels of. That seems to me an unlikely - if a much cheaper - solution, especially given her age and relative frailty. But hopefully an OT could go into all that and help her make the right decision. Hopefully it also might save me alot of work and confusion in the process too.

It's unlikely that a powered chair can work internally in an ordinary flat unless she has a really large amount of turning space. Also has she given it any thought how she gets in and out of the chair, where she parks it, how she maintains it and also at that age in a relatively short amount of time if she’s not using her muscles she will be become increasingly weakened. I really think you need a professional to assess this properly. A better option maybe something as such as a wheeled walker.

The wheeled walker she has is not enough now, hence her hope a power chair might help. She is aware she has to get in and out of the chair and can manage that for now. Hopefully if we get some input from an OT they will be able to clarify things, fingers crossed 🤞

Cripes what sort of power chair are you looking at?

that’s a lot of money - my DD’s custom built one cost that sort of cash!

most power chairs have a sensitivity/speed button. Indoors you’d want it on the lowest setting at honestly they are a grade A pain to manoeuvre in a confined space.

i have three wheelchairs. A simple manual (cost about 200 quid), a travel wheelchair which performs best indoors and a big brute for long distances.

My travel wheelchair is like this and it goes in the car and is lightweight and relatively easy to control.

https://amzn.eu/d/77fY3BS

my big brute is more like this and I got him second hand for 1200.
https://www.kardinalindependentliving.co.uk/products/quickie-q500m-powerchair/?campaign=23029160097&content=&keyword=&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&gclid=Cj0KCQiAyvHLBhDlARIsAHxl6xoLz-YbTu4Hs8hPxc3KvUch7Sin5iXvcvFeKopqGtL8vO2fTypbjNsaAtFoEALw_wcB&gbraid=0AAAAApIQknhPdBRoWj4eJeNUh40Lm316j&wbraid=CkEKCAiAyvHLBhAXEjEA31DG4j87MTcqMrnxj42JjNqQYEG3GLTT1MBwTWeqQQlqRQisIaELytmm0YaSxP9BGgI0zg&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23029164870&gbraid=0AAAAApIQknhPdBRoWj4eJeNUh40Lm316j

@Octavia64 The two power chairs I looked at that were small enough cost £2 to £3k. So similar price to the one you bought retailing at £1900. In terms of manoeuvring, I would choose one that “turns on a sixpence” because of small space.. There is a new one also in the market at £7k, I think, but of course that’s a lot (assuming I understood the price correctly.) I know manual self-propelled ones are much much cheaper at around £200 but as I said at age 88 think it unlikely that my mother would have the strength to self-propel one. It’s all a bit of a minefield and I am hoping an OT could really assist her in deciding.

You can hire wheelchairs.

so she can try out options by renting.

https://www.wheelfreedom.com/information-centre/manual-wheelchair-hire-service?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&campaign=20543095425&content=704279896007&keyword=wheelchair%20hire&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20543095425&gbraid=0AAAAAD9NYReEUq5e-kJzM1IrMVk7Fidnu&gclid=Cj0KCQiAyvHLBhDlARIsAHxl6xpgY-PmxnJz5qWNesqvFmXoj9UYfi_GSAD3KyW8NR2CX86vxwsKm_EaAnsuEALw_wcB

there’s a few people that do it these days.

Very relieved to hear you are getting an OT involved. Possibly also a physio?? Do you think it might be worth some targeted strength work to help with balance/getting up etc? It’s never too late, my PT colleagues got an 102 year old back to using a stick recently.

My mother has one of these which resulted in a nasty accident as she trapped her foot in a doorway and couldn't take her hand off the controller quickly enough. (arthritic hands and slower reactions at 85). She is still having alternate day dressings changed by the district nurse after four months and her injury still looks horrific.
With slower reactions I don't think they're a viable option unfortunately.

Thanks @PermanentTemporary and @Stickytreacle . They sound like definitely worthwhile considerations.

Red Cross here hires out manual wheelchairs. Your local mobility stores may offer hire of power chairs as well so she could have a go and see how she gets on?
If you're in the north east I highly recommend North East Mobility Solutions in Berwick.

Agree with the OT assessment though. Ime there could be a lengthy wait for the NHS community OT who may very well have to refer on to wheelchair services which would be a further wait. They also have quite strict criteria (in our area anyway).

Thanks @MassiveOvaryaction (what a name!) I’ve googled private OT’s this morning Found a couple (west London). I’ll be on it on Monday.

My mother did have an NHS occupational therapist a few years ago - hence the “walker” and grab rails etc. But I am pretty sure they won’t provide much more, at least not speedily. As time is of the essence now the private route will probably be better plus I can liaise with them more easily.

I would be very cautious over doing this. It will effectively be taking your mum ‘off her feet’. The strength in her legs and balance will deteriorate quickly. She will then find transferring in and out of the chair more difficult, on and off the toilet, reaching for things from cupboards etc. they can also be quite a hazard in their own right, especially in a small environment. I would look into getting a physiotherapist and OT to come and see her at home. A GP should be able to refer you or you may be able to self refer.

Good point @Hairyfairy01 I will definitely bear this in mind, raise it with the OT, and talk to mother about this aspect as well.

Maybe she does also need a (private) physio too, though I’m not sure how compliant she would be. She might be more compliant if visited regularly. She was given on a one-off basis a few knee exercises by the NHS a couple of years ago, but I’m not sure if she does them.