How do I choose an electric wheelchair??

[loveyouradvice]

My gorgeous aunt, now 93, needs an electric wheelchair.

A company visited who wanted to charge her £7,000 which truly shocked her.

How do I help her choose a chair in a far more sensible price range? Or is it better to rent? Definitely for whizzing around downstairs so needs to not be too wide... though know she'd also like to use it in town, if taken by family.... and possibly for going round her garden which she loves (gravel and lawns)... does that end up being more than one chair, or is it easy to get one that works for all?? Or just prioritise the first two?

She believes its temporary and that she'll be walking again soon... I so hope she's right

If you ask for her to be referred to an OT, they can assess and refer on to her local wheelchair service who will do another assessment and provide the best one. You may be able to go straight to the wheelchair service yourself as a private customer (it varies by area)

They are really quite hard to steer. There is a knack and practice is needed. My late OH tried one out for a day and the paintwork suffered! We borrowed it to try out from a local firm and I think this is the way to go. They are more personal and geared to the individual ... they have a local reputation to uphold.

Above advice about LA OT is spot on.

There are a lot of different electric wheelchairs and which type you need and how expensive it is largely driven by your needs.

if you can walk a bit and are largely mobile then it’s fairly simple - you don’t need any bells and whistles and you just need to decide whether to prioritise lightweight (to lift into car) or all terrain.

having said that I have never met a wheelchair ghat handles gravel well

you can rent before you buy to try some out eg this place:

https://www.wheelfreedom.com/information-centre/manual-wheelchair-hire-service?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&campaign=20543095425&content=781778143820&keyword=rent%20a%20wheelchair&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20543095425&gbraid=0AAAAAD9NYRfz0ENwOdJjCcRFeNdT9A7vg&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4Ynf46-0kwMV_qn9BR3eHCbZEAAYASAAEgIAEfD_BwE

i have three. I have a manual and two electric. One electric is lightweight and portable like this one:

https://www.essentialaids.com/wheelchairs/folding-electric-wheelchairs/instafold-electric-wheelchair.html?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20600117746&gbraid=0AAAAACz6PnHc7m3MF8t1soHsZJpIQ1gth&gclid=Cj0KCQiA2bTNBhDjARIsAK89wlFBJMGf3zHN5adT_deTHXwq-kCj4ykzR41wSGCXuoA0EKUOUfsk7uYaArTUEALw_wcB

my other one is not but has a much bigger range and will tackle grass etc that the lightweight one won’t do.

Eg like this one.

https://www.karmamobility.co.uk/featured_item/morgan-m-lectus

great advice - thank you.

Will definitely try the OT route but suspect it may take forever - fingers crossed

It might be a good idea to look at a foldable internal one first and see how she gets on with that. Good to know they are tough to steer - she is feisty and independent and doesnt give up so suspect she might take on that challenge.

Really appreciate the advice - especially links to ones that have worked for you and why

Have a look to see if there are any local charities who might be able to help. We have a small independent organisation that will lend a mobility aid (from crutches and zimmers to electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters) to a local resident for as long as they need it. This can also be accessed through the local Men's Shed. There are Men's Sheds countrywide - might be worth seeing if there is one in your area that could advise? Home | Men's Sheds Association | UKMSA

Although, there may not be the mobility aid aspect in others that there is in ours. Just thought it was worth a mention though.