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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Arthritis / October 2005Scooter use in the house
Hello... Mobility problems are a coming attraction for me...this question is for my dad. He's 92...since April he's had one spine and two hip surgeries (same hip..don't get me started) and has just left a nursing/rehab facility and moved back into his house. It hurts his hip to push a wheelchair around the house, and it's very slow for him...so we're thinking scooter...probably three wheel. Question is..in general..can you get around in a house with a scooter? I visited three dealers here in Denver and found just one helpful..the rest seemed uncomfortable with someone in the showroom. One place started out saying "Can't use a scooter in a house". Anyway...choosing between electric wheelchair (two motor..spin on axis etc) and standard scooter. Thinking a scooter is more versatile...easier to carry things around on etc. He can transition from bed to wheelchair..wheelchair to toilet..and so forth..but does lean on the chair for support. Will an electric afford that kind of stability? Anybody here run around the house in one? Thanks for any and all..... Peter First, measure all of your doorways and how much clearance there is around the bed, toilet, etc. You will also need to find out how much room there is to maneuver from hallway to each room. You'll need to know this in order to find out which chair or scooter will fit your needs. Also, remember that scooters have a tiller in front, which may make it difficult to use it at the dinner table or next to the bed. Some scooters have seats which pivot. This will help, but may be difficult for some people to use. Electric wheel chairs usually have foot plates in front which will have to be raised (folded up) for the user to get out of the chair. Your best bet would be to have a physical (or occupational) therapist evaluate both your father and the house to see which would be better. 2005-10-14, Responding to Peter Crowl... > Hello... > Mobility problems are a coming attraction for me...this question is for my [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > seemed uncomfortable with someone in the showroom. One place started out > saying "Can't use a scooter in a house". Pretty logical advice... > Anyway...choosing between electric wheelchair (two motor..spin on axis etc) > and standard scooter. Thinking a scooter is more versatile...easier to carry > things around on etc. Powerchair = one hand free, lap free Scooter = No hands free, lap not free ...? > He can transition from bed to wheelchair..wheelchair to toilet..and so > forth..but does lean on the chair for support. Will an electric afford that > kind of stability? Anybody here run around the house in one? Electric powerchair has batteries that add weight. If he can use a manual, a powerchair must surely be more "stable", yeah? While there are some things a scooter will be better for that a powerchair, the list of things you CAN do with a powerchair over a scooter is long. The main reason many seem to favour scooters is that they are cheaper to buy. If you are going to spend the extra on a proper powerchair, do make sure you get one that is suitable, as those who sell them more often than not will sell you anything they can rather than what you actually need.  Signature---- * Another squeaking wheel @ http://tinyurl.com/b28fq * Mike's (curious) Brain @ http://tinyurl.com/4872c - Have a nice day, it really does do you good! :) > Hello... > Mobility problems are a coming attraction for me...this question is for my [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > > Peter I can get around buildings in my scooter pretty well, but I'd prefer (and am waiting on a grant for) a powerchair. They're more comfortable and the turn radius is much better for indoors. I also feel like more of a person in one, being able to turn naturally to talk to and face people. Right now I'm using a base model 4 wheeler shoprider, so a move to the powerchair (of cirtually any sort with a full back) will be a massive step up in comfort, manouvreability, and power. If money isn't a pressing issue, go the power chair. I'll be selling my scooter as soon as I get a power chair with a vehicle that I can deploy it from. Cheers, Ari Signaturespammage trappage: remove the underscores to reply I'm going to die rather sooner than I'd like. I tried to protect my neighbours from crime, and became the victim of it. Complications in hospital following this resulted in a serious illness. I now need a bone marrow transplant. Many people around the world are waiting for a marrow transplant, too. Please volunteer to be a marrow donor: http://www.abmdr.org.au/ http://www.marrow.org/ Thanks for the good advice! I looked at two power chairs today..on the used market... they certainly are much more manuveable. Looked at a Hoveround and a Pride 1103. Came across a scooter as well..4 to 5 years old but with fairly new batteries. I'l probably buy one of the chairs and the scooter..then he can have the chair for in house use and the scooter for outdoors and shopping...and the cost will be less than one new scooter. Only problem is the Hoveround has a wide seat...22"..and he could do with a 17 or 18 which would make the unit more narrow and easier to get through doorways. I can buy a new seat from Hoveround...for $500 :~( Perhaps I can find a buyer for the wider seat. Peter You may be able to get assistance to pay for most (if not all) of the cost of a new chair. Discuss this with his doctor and see what he/she says. |
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