My DH started using a cane a couple of years ago and graduated to a rollator walker about 6 months ago. He is now having more trouble walking and a wheelchair is next. I have one given to me. Only problem is I've been in therapy for back problems for 8 weeks and my physical therapist told me not to lift the wheelchair. I've checked on a transport chair and they weigh just a little over 20 lbs. I think I can handle that. Does anybody know if Medicare will pay for one with a doctor's order or should I just go ahead and buy one? All of you here know how hard it is to see this decline.
No, Medicare will not pay for a transport chair. Make sure it will fit into your car. I can't even get the Rollator in my trunk - so have to put it in the back. Will have to do the same for transport chair. Bummer. They are hard to get in/out of back seats.
The exact same transport chair that you will find at the medical supply stores, same brand, same model, can be purchased MUCH cheaper at Walgreen's, because they buy so many thousands of them. So instead of the $350 at the med. supply store, I found the same one at Walgreen's for $150, on sale that week for $99.
Dazed hope you can get a good deal on a transport chair. I am strong, but it is quite easy to put in the trunk. Of course the arms fold down to make it easier. It was a lifesaver when we got ours.
However, as his disease progressed, at the home where he is use a regular wheelchair now. The transport brake is not really tight, and when he tried to get up it slips. They are really good though, for getting our mates around.
If anyone is in the USA check Craigslist. There is a lot of medical stuff listed at very reasonable prices. Craigslist supplied so much healthcare and adaptive devices during my journey for almost no money.
Example: I paid $50 for a transport chair. Brand new came from a closed dentist office. If you (or anyone else) is in the LA area, you can have it . . .
I bought the medline transport chair at Walgreen's as well for $99.00. I find that the seat height is low and needs a wheelchair pad to give DH some height when sitting (he's 5'11" ) so his legs aren't so crunched. I also have had great luck on Amazon-I bought a very nice Invacare transport chair for $99.00 as well and like that better than the medline. The first one I bought from a medical supply company and they charged $300.00 for the same invacare chair.
m-man is right - craigslist is a good place to look. Also look in local consignment shops, the salvation army, red cross and possibly goodwill.
I bought this transfer chair: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007WA1ZG4 The handles fold in half, so it fits standing up in the back of my Scion XB (one of the cars that looks like a toaster). So if the reason it won't fit in your trunk is the size from the bottom of the wheels to the top of the handles, this one might work--when the handles are folded in half that length is smaller.
The new model is improved from one we bought my husband's aunt several years ago. It has two sets of brake controls--one that can be use by the passenger and one on the handles for the person pushing.
I got the one from Walgreens that was listed for $150. He gave me a "Senior discount" so paid about $120. It is light enough to lift into the back of our Ford Taurus Wagon. I don't have to fold down the handles.
It is a very low seat so his knees are very high but he doesn't spend much time in it. I liked it because the arms are low enough to go under the kitchen table so he eats breakfast and dinner sitting in it.
Thanks so much everyone. These suggestions are very helpful. m-mman, if I were in LA I would be right over to get the one you have but that's a long way from Tennessee. I checked Craig's List and found one but it was way up north. I think I'll try the Walgreen's suggestions. I wonder if they have those $99.00 sales very often? I would really like the fact that the arms would slide up under the table...especially at restaurants, although our eating out (or even going out anywhere) is about over. He spits on the floor. Uggg!
Talk to the Walgreen's manager. Tell him you can only afford the $99.00 and ask when it might be going on sale again. Those sales are rotational and if it hasn't been on sale recently it may be up again soon. The pharmacist might be more helpful in cluing you into the sale. It can't hurt to ask.
Also. The Shriners, I think all over the country, take used medical equipment and give it to those who want it. Transport chairs, toilet raisers, they even came and dismantled the stair lift chair and took it to be installed elsewhere the same day. No questions asked.
AND: don't forget, if you're doing a lot of home care, you will be incurring expenses all over the place for both of you. Quite likely you will be able to have a medical deduction on your income tax, and a transport chair is definitely allowable and so are Depends or whatever.
I ordered an Invacare one from SpinLife that only weighs 19 lbs recommended LFL and also by a friend. I didn't get it for $99.00, though. It was $159.00, no tax and no shipping charges. The one at Walgreens is also $159.00 but would have to pay tax and I couldn't wait for the $99.00 sale.
Thank you, briegull for reminding me that I can deduct this and so many other expenses on my tax return. I need to keep good records of all expenses. Can we count disposable washcloths?
This place is wonderful for information on about anything. I can't remember who posted a link to the motion detector alarm with a clip-on pager 2 or 3 years ago but it has been a lifesaver for me.
I thought I would also post the Nova transport chair sale at Walgreen's this week for anyone needing a transport chair. It's 94.99, regularly $149.99. They will assemble it if it requires assembly if you call them and have one put aside for you to pick up.
Why should we have to pay anymore than necessary...every penny counts.