electric wheelchair advice

[Gill-C]

i’d value your experience on electric wheelchairs. I’ve recently been offered what is described as a power chair (the Rascal Razoo) - seems to be a cross between an electric wheelchair and a scooter - for a fraction of the price of a new one. It’s hardly used, small and easy to transport with a joystick control.

I’m at the stage of MSA where it’s not a necessity as I still have some (very slow and unstable) mobility, but I was beginning to think that I might get more out of life with some form of aid. I’m tempted to say yes to this lovely offer, even though this may perhaps not be the sort of equipment that would still work much further down the line

Is there anything I should worry about when considering this sort of power chair as a starter??! Many thanks for all tips and advice as I’m finding the thought of a wheelchair a big step to contemplate

[MSA1]

please be aware that as the disease progresses your coordination will deteriorate.

[Gill-C in reply to MSA1]

Sadly unavoidable i know

That was really the crux of the question - is there a point to having what seems to be a light touch wheelchair now (however cheap) or should I wait and go straight for something a lot more structured when I lose mobility completely?

[Derkie54]

Hello,

When my wife's MSA progressed we tried out powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters but her coordination was not really good enough. We decided to go for a manual wheelchair that I would push.

I haven't got any advice on powered wheelchairs I'm afraid, but should you go for manual wheelchair at any time it's better to go for a crash tested one.

We purchased a standard wheelchair, but when we tried to use hospital transport they said they would only pick us up if we had a crash tested one. We purchased another wheelchair and all was ok.

Hope you get sorted.

Take care

Derek

[Gill-C in reply to Derkie54]

That is a terrific learning point. Thanks so much.

I did wonder about co-ordination too as mine is poor.

Luckily I am able to try before I buy

[PineEater]

Gill-C, HiSorry to learn of your MSA. Please note it seriously 😳 that Power wheelchair for people who have or are likely to have incoordination problems are life-threatening. What medicines are you on by the way? I wish you all the best.

[Gill-C in reply to PineEater]

Like Derek’s comments, this is a very salient warning. Thanks

Not only is this something to watch out for now, but we’d have to be aware constantly as the disease progresses.

Re meds: Ropinerole 10mg at night. The more usual levadopa type don’t work for me as they drop my blood pressure too much.

[Paul_and_Sue_Wood]

Hi

My Sue has had a range of wheelchairs including motorised.

These worked fine whilst she was able to control her hands, so she could move around and it gave her some independence, but around a home you will need to minimise furniture as they can be on the large side.

The one we found the best in the end was a small foldable electric that she could nip around the shops in, but when her control started to get worse and she started to rearrange Marks & Spencer we moved back to a manual wheelchair I could push.

It may be worth investing in a manual style wheelchair that both the user and carer can control.

Paul

[Gill-C in reply to Paul_and_Sue_Wood]

Thanks for taking the time to share both your valuable experience, Paul.

I guess how tired one gets might also play a part in assessing safety to others and how much independence one can actually achieve - hence the preference for shared control.

[Lassie1331]

Hi Gill-C,

My husband has avoided an electric wheelchair though I was keen to begin with but he realised his Co-ordination from early stages would not allow him to use alone. Now 5 yrs since diagnosis he slumps to the side and would definitely not be able to use one. We use a manual chair which I push but I’ve seen electric ones that can be operated by the user or controlled by a carer. Just an idea. Hope this helps your decision.

[Gill-C in reply to Lassie1331]

Very much reflects our thinking and most helpful. Thanks

[Yanno]

Jackie had a Salsa electric wheelchair and she loved it. It was compact, could turn in its own space and very adjustable. We had an additional powered leg raiser which was great. When Jackie's dexterity became poor, we kept the chair as the space it took up was less than a manual and I would walk next to her using the control - very much not to be recommended! We just wished we had asked for an additional pedestrian control, as they are called, for me to use at the back.

We are very lucky living in Worcestershire where the local wheelchair service allow a personal budget to be used. I would really suggest you engage with your local wheelchair service as they regularly see MSA patients and they really are the experts.

Take care, Ian

[Monkeyfeet1 in reply to Yanno]

Great advice! My electric wheelchair is from wheelchair services and at the end of the month they are installing attendant controls.

[Gill-C in reply to Yanno]

Terrifically helpful. Thanks for taking the time to share your and Jackie’s experience

[Monkeyfeet1]

I have a Pavement scooter, an off road scooter, a manual wheelchair and an electric wheelchair.

As I’ve progressed o can no longer use the small scooter and cannot go out unsupervised, I do a kamikaze with my electric wheelchair. But getting outside, off road has been invaluable.

[Gill-C in reply to Monkeyfeet1]

A lot of very helpful experience for me to consider. Thanks