Hello group,
i have a question for you. My sister is giving me her old power wheel chair as she is getting a new one. I'm using a walker currently. I have also started the process before that, of getting a scooter. I hope to never need the wheel chair but you never know.
So my question is should i continue with the scooter process? it is a little costly and i'm not sure i will use it because i'll have the wheel chair available.
your thoughts? thanks in advance.
I’m “thrifty” so I think if not absolutely needed stop the scooter process and you have a wheelchair if needed! That’s just my opinion I hope it helps
thank you Xvettech much appreciated.
your welcome
I'm of the opinion that you can never have too many toys! I still just use a cane when I'm going short distances, but I did break down and buy a power wheelchair last year for things like the mall and the park. I also use my riding mower as a mobility device during the summer, but it's a bit too noisy to use all the time.
If money's a big factor (and who among us can say that it's not?!), I'd wait and see how the chair works for you. If, on the other hand, you're sitting on a giant pile of cash, then I'd buy a scooter right now. There are many times that I wish I had a scooter, too, but the chair's easier for us to load in our small car.
Aside from the money factor, figure out how you'll haul each of them around and under what circumstances you'd be using them. I do have to say that the wheelchair's a bit of a nuisance if I'm shopping alone, because I need three hands to balance a basket on my lap, work the controls, and grab things off the shelves. Other than that, it's been a big help and worked well even off-road.
thanks NorasMom good thought. the scooter is easier to travel with.
Why don’t you try the wheelchair out first and see how you get on, then make your decision about the scooter. 🤗
thanks jimeka it's not all or nothing, right?
If you have space for it, I'd say you should definitely keep it--though if the time comes when you could use a power chair, you might prefer to have your own because custom features can be added or adjusted to your needs (special armrests, a different headrest, etc.)
You might want to check into online sources of information for advice on storing a power wheelchair because the battery is something you want to be careful about.
I hope that the walker you have is one with wheels--a rollator. I switched from a stationary walker to a rollator some time ago and have been very glad that I did.
thanks very much agate my sister had kept this w/c in the garage so the battery was dead and wouldn't take a charge. enjoy the rollator. so much easier than a traditional walker.
My opinion is that you should go with the wheelchair. I've got a heavy electric one, as well as a lighter manual one. I also have a stick if I don't need to go long distances. I can collapse the stick and put it in the back pockets of both wheelchairs. I got it from Amazon. But, the wheelchair will be your friend. You can take it into your home and fold it up when you're not using it, just so it doesn't take up much room.
I like to use my electric wheelchair when my partner goes to the city, taking me with him, to do his platelet donation just so I can move around by myself and pop into different shops while he's donating. I find it really fun when people move out of my way, or help me more when I'm trying to get through a closed door, simply because the wheelchair is a recognisable sign that I'm less able without telling every Tom, Dick or Harry about my medical needs.
thanks Cwright170994 for your suggestion. and "the wheel chair will be your friend." something to think about. thank you
No worries 😁🫂 like, back in 2018, I was mobile, with just my stick. It only took not being able to walk from the disabled parking spot to a shopping centre for me to realise thar I needed wheels. I'm thankful my partner gave me a piggyback to the mobility kiosk to rent a wheelchair for the day, and we had so much fun 🙌 I bought my manual not long after, and it's certainly been so helpful! We'll take it when we go shopping, like our weekly shopping, and we'll both race around (safely of course). I even had that one when I was in hospital for 27 days. To get to the main entrance for a cigarette, 'd have to go up a slope. Its the coming back down to my ward that makes it really fun 🤣
thanks very much. i appreciate you sharing your experience. and you make it sound like fun not a drudgery.
If you don't laugh, you'll cry, my mum says. Make what you can more fun 💗
😍this!
See if the wheelchair takes you everywhere you want to go, i.e; around yard,grassy areas and long distances, comfortfuly. BY the way, in the state of Michigan your taxes on a mobility scooter are covered. Contact the place your buying it from to see how it's done.very simple. Hey, every bit helps.
thanks kwhompus i have some mental block about the wheel chair but not the scooter. But either one or both will simplify my life.
My therapist stated, "we'd much rather you get a wheelchair than a scooter, they're much safer when you have MS." I still just use my walker, but if I had access to a chair I would probably use it sometime and forgo purchasing a scooter.
thanks Robsmom i believe my doc said the same thing. thank you very much.
They both have their pros & cons. You might make a list of each & compare them then try to make a decision. 🤗
exactly! scooter travels easier. w/c is more sturdy once you get there. W/C is free (except for delivery, the battery, charger) scooter costs a lot. W/C hope i don't need it. Scooter is fun and easy to use. W/C i have to get now. Scooter can wait until later. so it seems we have a winner. W/C wins, scooter is the runner up. thanks everyone for your input.
a scooter may be more portable for travel and going out of the home. Sometimes electric wc are very heavy and hard to transport. I wish I had a scooter. I struggle to walk longer distances.
thank you Tkotrl. Scooters are more portable for sure. i hope you can get one to meet your needs.
do you know someone that has a scooter ??? could you try it out to see if that is what you want ....i love mine when i go to a picnic and i have to park a long ways away from it i use mine ......not hard to load for it comes apart ....try them all out but also can just store the wheel chair for a time when you could use it ...no cost there ...love and happiness to help us move is great ...
thank you 2 old crows. I tried out a few and i really like the small snazzy one. Otto. comes in 2 light weight parts and rolls like a suitcase.
that sounds great ...good luck choosing for i know how that is what we want and the cost or conveniece of them ...being able to operate and to put into a vehicle..
Try out the scooter first and see what you think 💭 Medicare only pays for one every five years and you might be happier with scooter 🤷♂️ Good way to figure it out. 👍🏼😉
thanks Ken. Good to know. I'm not eligible for Medicare yet. Still working . Are you eligible after being on Medicare for 5 years or in the beginning?
One more thing to think about is the seat on each. From what I've seen, scooter seats tend to have low backs like a riding mower. A wheelchair will provide more back support, if that's something you need. I can only use my mower for about 40 minutes at a time, whereas the wheelchair stays comfortable for hours because I can lean back.
Also, and I don't know if this is standard or not, but my chair can be changed from powered to manual with the flip of a switch. It doesn't have the right wheels for me to move myself that way, but it's easy enough for someone to push me if something goes wrong with the batteries or control.
that's a great point. i don't know if the wheel chair can be pushed. i will probably need a backup battery, right?
Given the cost of batteries, I'd start with one and see how well that works for you. Mine came with two, but I want to say they're each good for 10-12 miles. I used my chair one day for 8 hours straight, moving around a large craft fair, and I went home with nearly a full charge.
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