My wife is now getting more and more housebound and though we have a car when we reach our destination she is unable to walk far. I was wondering if having s wheelchair to take her around would give her some enjoyment again. I would appreciate your views as my wife is just coming to 60 years and she has been diagnosed about 3 years. I don't want it to be a step back.
Need for a wheelchair?
- Thread starter Marks Way
- Start date
I use a wheelchair at times for my husband but I want him to stay mobile so he walks with two sticks most of the time. He cannot walk far which has put a stop to his epic wandering in the early years of his diagnosis.
I find that our local shopping mall will lend me a wheelchair through Shopmobility so there is no need to take one there. Also if you go into stores like Tesco. They have their own wheelchairs which they will lend you.
I do find pushing the chair hard work if we go for a walk so I try to avoid hills and rough ground.
I find that our local shopping mall will lend me a wheelchair through Shopmobility so there is no need to take one there. Also if you go into stores like Tesco. They have their own wheelchairs which they will lend you.
I do find pushing the chair hard work if we go for a walk so I try to avoid hills and rough ground.
Mum and I would never have managed without a wheelchair in the last few years. She had a knee replacement about 9 years ago and we bought a wheeler which you can also sit on. That was great for a couple of years then she started getting very tired and her legs ached - she was by then getting on for 90. We used to borrow one in Tesco and that was great so I bought a lightweight folding one to keep in carboot and that really made going places much easier. We could go along promenades at the seaside and manage shopping centres without her being worn out and we had some lovely trips out.
I would say give it a try!
I would say give it a try!
My husband is 63 and his mobility has declined quite a bit since last spring. Before Xmas I bought a wheelchair which will fit easily into the car boot, but so far it hasn't been used. I want to keep him mobile for as long as possible but feel that I (and he) need the option of the wheelchair to fall back on.
I think it will be particularly useful for busier areas such as going around garden centres, shopping centres, day trips to the coast and some of the larger local parks. I find these excursions have become less enjoyable for him because he spends so much time concentrating on walking and avoiding obstacles that he has no time to actually relax and enjoy his surroundings.
When the warmer weather comes I believe the wheelchair will bring back a lot of enjoyment for him on these kind of days out. I will still be taking him out for shorter walks and trips to keep him mobile - but having the wheelchair makes it possible to do that bit extra when we want to.
I think it will be particularly useful for busier areas such as going around garden centres, shopping centres, day trips to the coast and some of the larger local parks. I find these excursions have become less enjoyable for him because he spends so much time concentrating on walking and avoiding obstacles that he has no time to actually relax and enjoy his surroundings.
When the warmer weather comes I believe the wheelchair will bring back a lot of enjoyment for him on these kind of days out. I will still be taking him out for shorter walks and trips to keep him mobile - but having the wheelchair makes it possible to do that bit extra when we want to.
Yes I just feel she is getting a little isolated. Maybe she would come out with me more often.
It might be worth getting an OT assessment, that can lead to free equipment. I have heard that you can also borrow wheelchairs from the Red Cross and Age UK. Others have also said in the past that they have found wheelchairs for sale in various charity shops.
You can indeed borrow wheelchairs from the Red Cross - useful to see if PWD will accept using one. We were also able to buy a second hand one from them for £50 as they had more than they needed at that time. Enquire locally.
Only comment I would make otherwise is that my mum seems very sensitive to all the bumps in the pavement when in the chair so she is happier in a garden centre or supermarket than outside.
Only comment I would make otherwise is that my mum seems very sensitive to all the bumps in the pavement when in the chair so she is happier in a garden centre or supermarket than outside.
I can imagine my wife would be the same. I will look into this as well as secondhand. Thank you!
There are tramper wheelchairs which are specifically for outdoor use You can find country parks and places like that which have them. Here's a link to just one place I found offering them for hire. Just depends on what your wife enjoys. Its an alternative to shopping places. http://www.countrysidemobility.org/frequently-asked-questions
Ask GP for a referral to wheelchair services, who will do an assessment and possibly provide a wheelchair free of charge.
I've been using a wheelchair for 13 years now due to MS and it's not a step back but is a liberation. However I'd ask your wife for her views if she is capable of making them known.
I've been using a wheelchair for 13 years now due to MS and it's not a step back but is a liberation. However I'd ask your wife for her views if she is capable of making them known.
i had suggested that my wife could push the wheelchair like a walker,then sit in it to rest,i totally agree with the cheap secondhand option,till you know if it will work or not.
