Walking equipment

[Bhatfi12240]

Am very short of breath when walking. Would a rollator work or would i need mobility scooter. I am a 77 year old woman so would need something i could lift into car. Thanks for help

[stone-UK]

Hi

Rollator or Tri walkers are useful if it comes with seat and basket.

Tri walkers are lighter and Have more manoeuvrability than rollators.

Rollators are more study.

Scooters there is no such thing as a lightweight scooter if you have lung condition.

The foldable lightweight scooters weigh between 21/25 kg

Pavement scooters split into five pieces, with a starting weight of approx 40 kg! Discount the basket the seat is approx 7 kg leaving at least one of the remaining pieces weighing Approx 13 kg.

Not easy to load into a boot with the bending, which will compromise your diaphragm impacting on you breathing.

If you speak to your respitory team they have several rollators which they may loan or at least let you try one for suitability.

Low rear cill height vehicles are best for scooters, you can lift the front then the rear.

If you qualify for a Motability vehicle you can have a hoist fitted quite cheaply.

careco.co.uk/search/results...

[Hidden]

Also if you are in the UK and you buy a disability item then you might be entitled to avoid the VAT if you have a qualifying illness and get certain benefits. Ask before you buy.

[RibvanRey in reply to Hidden]

Goods specifically for aiding with a disability are VAT EXEMPT. You can be any age. You do not need to be claiming any type of benefit. The seller should be able to provide a simple form. You just fill in your name and address and disability that requires the items. The store then fills in the rest and sends it to the Tax man in leu of the 20% tax.

HTH. Rib

[Hidden in reply to RibvanRey]

I tried to do this once and one of the criteria was to be on a qualifying benefit. So maybe this differs sometimes?

[RibvanRey in reply to Hidden]

Maybe Lil.

I signed one two weeks ago for a new front door. Nothing about benefits on it. Rib

[moonatnight in reply to RibvanRey]

Hello Rib.

Please excuse my rude curiosity but how can a new front-door be a special need for your disability that merits your exemption from vat?

Moonie

[RibvanRey in reply to moonatnight]

Hello Moonie you are not being rude. In fact it is nice to see a post from you. It has been a long time since you posted I hope that it has not been because of ill health.

I got my door Vat free because I need an extra wide door with a zero threshold so that I can get my wheelchair in and out of the door. 😉

Best wishes Rib

[gingermusic]

I use a rollator purely because I wish to walk as often as I can while I can but then I am 67 yrs old I may if I reach your age find a scooter better so use what ever you feel suits you. I can walk with my aid but not without it, without sever breathlessness.

[Polly4acre]

I have bought a rollator, It has a seat which folds up when the rollator is closed. Lightweight for others to pack in their boot. My arthritis is really bad and I have no real pain relief, the pain makes me breathless but so much less when I use my rollator. I am glad that I bought it and fought against one for ages. If you can get to a Mobility Centre there will be several models you can try out, lots of helpful advice too, Polly X

[Nottobad]

Hi I got a walker from the pulmanory rehab nurse. And a two tier trolley for using in the house. I got that from the resp team. And didn't have to pay for them.

[younginmind]

I am also in my 70s - have had cancer 5 times (+COPD) - but I am blessed as I am still here & breathing! I have never been offered any help in any way, certainly no benefits (I believe you have to be under 60) - personally I would recommend a buggy - I use a Cordoba, which gets me quite a few miles & will go into supermarkets etc. I try & walk independently for a while when out, but now recognise my capabilities. If you drive & fly, a lightweight scooter would be more suitable, or even if you just need to go to the corner shop etc. the one I would recommend is the Travelscoot, small, & easy to fold if you have limited space. I know sometimes you can feel panic, will I be able to get back, or can I make it to there? But a buggy is a really good backup. You can drive it to a shop, park up, walk around but then go back to it any time, just knowing it is there.