Electric wheelchair advice

[Naturegeekjess]

Does anyone have any recommendations for an electric wheelchair? My stepdad (who has PSP) has been given a wheelchair through the NHS. My mum can push my stepdad on flat surfaces, but isn't strong enough to go up hill. I know you can rent electric chairs, and also buy converter kits to fit to non-electric chairs, as well as obviously buying an electric chair, but it's all very expensive. What would you say is the best option?

[Millidog]

Hi, we are awaiting a wheelchair after an assessment. The person assessing suggested that we purchase the battery pack from local wheelchair supplies taking our wheelchair so we can test the battery before buying and ensure its one that could be transferred to and used on other wheelchairs (which we have been told can be provided as needs increase) so that if needs change which they likely will we have the battery to fit to any wheelchair we need and won't be out of pocket and left with equipment we can no longer use. I think we are being provided with a large wheel / user and carer steer chair with brakes I was told carer break option doesn't come as standard but as I'm very small and husband not she would include for me.

[Walking18]

I’m interested in replies to your post as we are having similar problems. My mum has PSP and has muscle wastage to her left leg so it won’t stay up on the footplate of her wheelchair rendering it useless. We are unable to take mum out for any fresh air and so day after day she sits in her room.

She was assessed by NHS wheelchair specialist who suggested a foot plate which sits across the front as one rather than 2 seperate ones - but it will still be difficult to push so will keep an eye on your replies

[Wigwambob]

Hi. Same here. My husband has been provided with an amazing wheelchair, recliner ,headrest,extended foot plates, side padding etc...a very comfortable monster, the trouble is I can't put it in the car to have it fitted with a motor but I think the mobility shops are quite knowledgeable and should known what is needed. I gather the motor is quite expensive...£500 plus.... the assessor recommended to go to the mobility shop and try one out because the motor she says is not like a normal electric wheelchair which can whizz around ....🤷‍♀️ so I am yet to go there to find out what she ment.I'll come back to you when I do go. Sorry not to be able to help more. Best wishes. Sylvie.

[Millidog in reply to Wigwambob]

Hi Sylvie I think the battery is more to take the weight from you having to push hard so makes it easy for you rather than self propelled speed so more like a golf buggy battery. You can go and see / test a battery pack / motor on a wheelchair similar to what you have on the showroom without having to take your chair and I think they would be able to go through what you need to do to fix onto your wheelchair at home. They may also let you bring one home and test before you buy. Out of interest is the problem getting the chair into the car because of weight or size thanks Gillx

[Wigwambob in reply to Millidog]

Thank you Gill.That is what I gathered an aid rather than a propelling motor. The chair is very big and I shall need a specially adapted car with a "conveyor"( sorry don't know what the name is) and a ramp as the chair is very high and very heavy but very comfortable.

I'll post again once I have been to the mobility shop.

All the best.

Sylvie.

[messier in reply to Wigwambob]

Hi there- when you say he has been provided with this wheelchair, how did you get it? Does he just use this when you you go out or does he use it during the day?

[Wigwambob in reply to messier]

Hi there. OT people provided it. We have not used it yet but it is in anticipation to what is to come....He will be able to live in it more or less as it is reclining,has support for under the arms to stop sliding down, a good headrest to stop head lolling about and wide foot rest. Contact your OT ,there is no charge. Good luck. Sylvie

[messier in reply to Wigwambob]

we don’t have an OT. GP won’t do anything about OT referral without nursing home requesting it. I asked home and they had someone from headquarters who didn’t do anything but home told me that she couldn’t sit in a wheelchair all day although I could buy a wheeled armchair. I bought one second hand which they use around the home but then transfer her into an ordinary armchair for most of the day propped up by cushions and without her swollen legs raised. And somehow in their mind that’s OK! I think I shall psyche myself for yet another battle with the home and the GP to get a proper OT assessment. It was such a battle to sort SALT assessment but at least that’s sorted …for now…

[Wigwambob in reply to messier]

I am sorry. We have been lucky with OT. I had not requested the chair as I did not know about it . Why don't you contact PSPA as they are full of information. Again ,my husband saw SALT this week,without us asking so it seems the luck of the draw. Finger crossed for you.

[Wigwambob in reply to messier]

But you have to buy the motor yourself....

[QNCS]

Hi, I purchased a normal wheelchair for my hubby and then the battery operated add on, it was expensive ( over £500), it is useful to a degree but a bit tricky to connect up to the wheelchair and is rather heavy, if we are out and about on levelish areas I don't bother with it as it is a bit awkward, but if it is hilly it does make getting around much easier. The one we bought was a "Lightweight Powerstroll single wheel"

[Railfan]

An electric wheelchair with "Attendant Controls" will allow the caregiver to drive from behind.

[Rose1sunflower]

Regarding the issue with getting the wheelchair into car. For a while I struggled folding the chair and putting it into the car. We now hire a van with a ramp and motorised pulley. I didn’t think I would be able to drive it but I prefer it to the car! The company we used was Fleximobility.

We have an electric wheelchair with Attendant Control. We can only have this from the wheelchair service whilst my husband can also operate it. When he can’t use, it I’m not sure what we will do. So I’m interested to hear about the battery you can attach to an ordinary chair. My husband is over 15stone and can be difficult to push.

[Wigwambob in reply to Rose1sunflower]

Hi Rose1sunflower, my husband has a total lack of coordination so cannot operate an electric wheelchair and the adapted chair provided by the NHS is very big and very heavy before putting an engine on so I intended to buy one of these small van that I have seen and I supposed a mobility shop would let me know where to have it fitted with a motorised pulley but I did not know that you could hire one so shall look into it before buying.Thank you. Take care.

Sylvie.

[Bridge2]

Sorry to hear about your problem with getting an electic wheel chair through the NHS. I had the same issue getting on for my wife. She has since sadly passed away at the age of 54. We had to buy an electric wheelchair as the NHS would not provide one. The reason we were given was we would not be using it inside only outside. A manual wheelchair we found unsuitable due to the muscle stiffness my wife experienced with her PSP a manual wheelchair did not offer the adjustments required in the seat and leg rests. The electric wheelchair made such a difference to her quality of life in being able to get out with me to walk the dog, go out with the grandchildren and go shopping etc . All I can say is fight the NHS should provide an electric wheel chair with full adjustment and not forgetting attendant control, so you can operate the chair. A feature not many 2nd hand chairs will have, so if you do go down the route of buying your own make sure it has Attendant control. A basic electric chair or a kit to convert a manual wheelchair to electric will probably not be suitable, from my experience you need to be able to electicslly adjust the seat angles and legs to make it comfortable due to the muscle stiffness. Your Occupational Health visitor should be doing the referrals and getting you a chair. But good luck as you will need to fight. The photo was in the early days she was unable to operate the chair and as the condition processed we had to recline the back and raise the legs to keep her comfortable.

My wife a PSP sufferer in Electric wheelchair

[Robbo1]

We were given an electric wheelchair by the NHS. My husband pushed a simple switch to make it go and the harder he pushed the faster it went. I tried it out and you needed to have quick reflexes, to avoid obstacles or potholes etc. My husband's reflexes were not good and his focusing was poor, so I contacted the NHS and asked for it to be changed for an electric chair that I could drive, using controls on the bar, that you push the chair with. This made my life easier and my husband's a lot safer. It sounds like this would be ideal for your needs. If you are in England, contact the Social Re- Enablement Service and they should be able to help you. Good luck!