StanleyPJ, yes the Berlingo (I suppose the length depends on which company did the modification) has quite a short ramp.
Vehicle suggestions
- Thread starter oilovlam
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StanleyPJ, yes the Berlingo (I suppose the length depends on which company did the modification) has quite a short ramp.
When we took our father out we used a picnic rug with a waterproof backing for the car seat. Didn't look hospitally and saved frayed nerves. It also can go up the seat and stop urine going down the gap at the back.
I'm getting a volvo v40 cross country on Friday as it is slightly higher than the hatch back version.
Sent from my SM-G935F using Talking Point mobile app
Sent from my SM-G935F using Talking Point mobile app
At Mum's dementia café today, one lady in a wheelchair was collected in a Nissan Xtrail. The whole back opened into a ramp/lift. She was wheeled onto the flat lift at road level and then it elevated. The lower 'bumper' folded up and the tailgate down. Brilliant! Once in the lady was in the middle of the back seat so had a great view too. Much better than my car, a Subaru Legacy Estate - plenty of room for a wheelchair but the door sills are far too wide. I bought a Halfords foam booster seat for Mum so at least the passenger seat is higher.
I have a Nissan note,the older ones 06-09 are very roomy and back seats fold away to leave large boot big enough for wheelchair etc,also seats are quite tall from ground..
It's really good to see lots of ideas here for me too. I've been thinking of a replacement car, one that can take teenagers as well as Mum. My car is an old Volvo estate and coming up for MOT which I'd be surprised if it passes! I've stopped taking Mum out at the moment as even with a glide sheet it has been hard to get her in and out of the car for a few years now - not just mobility but her working out how to do it even with lots of help. When I asked advice from the OTs they said they don't advise on this but 'here's a website'! So, what to look for? I think maybe a WAV is the future as far as Mum is concerned, but am worried that a wheelchair may not be supportive enough for a car journey. Does anyone have experience for this?
I think if your mother is comfortable and OK in a wheelchair she will be OK in a wheelchair that is securely strapped into a vehicle. You might want to get a head restraint if the wheelchair doesn't already have one.
Presumably the PWD is strapped into the wheelchair (3 point harness?) and then the wheelchair itself is strapped down. Quite a lot of work from the sounds of it.
Also 'presumably' the wheelchair itself has to be suitable?
Honestly, after a few goes it's very quick and easy. I suppose you might need to seek advice as to whether your wheelchair was suitable but we had never had any worries about ours. We did buy and fit a head restraint (v expensive) to emulate those that now come as standard with car seats.
I managed to take my 90yr Dad out in my Mini the other day which we didn't think we'd be able to. I used the padded seat cushion from the car home to make it a bit higher for him. He was comfortable but obviously it's not ideal but the cushion idea did help.
I just want to recommend the car grab bar often called the Handy Bar. It fits in the metal U in the door frame and as soon as you push on it the counterbalance locks it in place. When the passenger is in/out of the car you take it out and pop it in the door pocket.
We call ours 'the magic gadget' it was literally life-changing. My mother had an amazing Occupational Therapist after a stroke. The OT came and did an entire training session for getting in and out of my car. She turned us on to it.
We call ours 'the magic gadget' it was literally life-changing. My mother had an amazing Occupational Therapist after a stroke. The OT came and did an entire training session for getting in and out of my car. She turned us on to it.
