Hi, I have had a call from my OT with fantastic news
i qualify for a indoor/outdoor power chair,i was told that i would only have a
indoor power chair so i was really suprised and grateful about this.
can anyone explain the diffrence that a indoor/outdoor and a outdoor chair.?
I posted this on the" lottery" win April fool. so i have to thank Pat for
redirecting me to Everday living…
John
I’m green with envy. I’ve just spent £2000 getting an indoor/outdoor chair because pain in the ass wheelchair services would only give me an indoor one.
Basically the difference is that an indoor chair is a tad smaller, a lot slower, has 4 small wheels and the batteries and motors are not waterproof. The indoor/outdoor chairs are usually still compact enough to be used in the house – go through doorways and such like but are more robust to cope with uneven outdoor surfaces. They usually have 2 larger wheels and two smaller front wheels. The electrics are waterproof so you won’t seize up if you get caught in the rain.
Frankly I don’t get why wheelchair places give indoor only chairs. If you need a flipping chair in the house you sure as heck need one outside. It’s not as though the indoor chairs are waaay cheaper. Sorry I’m going off on one – it’s my hobbyhorse du jour.
Congrats on your chair I hope you have many happy miles of rolling.
Jane
Hi,Jane thanks for the reply. I totally agree re-if you need one indoors its logical
you would need it more outdoors
This was my argument when i was told i would have to have a indoor chair
before i had a outdoor chair.
My OT must have listen to my argument and i was totally suprised when i was told
i could have the indoor/outdoor chair.
John
Hi John…I was referred for an in/out chair 18 monts ago and told there was a 2 year waiting list but when I rang w/c services recently I was told the wait is now 3 1/2 years…so maybe just another 2 years of confinement for me…god it’s depressing…I hope you don’t have to wait tooooooo long.
Guido
Hi, glad you are getting what you need.
I got my indoor/outdoor electric wheelie a few months ago.
It is slightly longer than the indoor one I had. it has a kerb climber (I refer to it as Kathy Kerby…remember her?) This bit easily attaches on and off, as it can get in the way during loo transfers.
I had the indoor one for about 2 yrs. I bought an outdoor one from e-bay. I didnt feel that safe in it, as it wasnt too sturdy.
I didn`t wait too long…about 5 months…for the outdoor chair.
i had to take a short outdoor test with the wheelchair therapist, then I had an hour`s test in town, before I was allowed a chair! i passed!
Good luck.
luv Pollx
Hi,thanks for the replies.
You got me worried now ,i will phone the wheelchair sevices tomorrow
to try find out how long the waiting list is
John
Hi John I have just got my indoor/outdoor chair. It is a Invacare Mirage and it is too big for my bumgalow. So I will have to keep my Invacrare Apollo for inside and buy my own outside chair as you cannot have two chairs from the Hospital. Peter
I have just got my indoor/outdoor chair. It is a Invacare Mirage and it is too big for my place so I will have to keep my indoor chair { Invacare Apollo } and buy my own outside chair. You cannot have 2 chairs friom the Hospital. Peter
Hi
I could really do with an outdoor chair and Im not on benefits. Does this mean I need to buy my own? Thanks x
Hi, I had an assessment last week with Wheelchair Services. I was referred for an indoor/outdoor chair but was told I’d only get an indoor chair, then in 6–12 months they’d see about upgrading me depending on how I get on. They’re coming round on 30th to assess the house for wheelchair suitability. I’ve already emailed the OT Assistant and told her I’m disappointed with their decision. I want a quality of life NOW not in 6-12 months time! I’ve said I’ll probably buy my own with a contribution from WS because I’m fed up of spending my life in queues and on waiting lists. If I went fully private, I could get a rep round and have a chair in a few days. As it is, I’ve got to wait for WS to draw up a prescription which a wheelchair sullpier will then have to comply with before they’ll pay any contribution, which they pay direct to the supplier, not me. The contribution will be to the value of what they would have provided, in this case £1,200 - £1,400. Seems to me that they’re saving money by only paying out for indoor chairs. I’m sure this is a cunning plan. Having us buy our own indoor/outdoor chairs saves them money and gets us off their books. My husband asked if I bought my own chair then my circumstances changed, would they help with a new chair or the cost of add-ons. WS said no as they would have already contributed to the first chair. Heather
Hi Steve,
Eligibility for chairs from wheelchair services is not means tested so it doesn’t matter that you are not on benefits. It is to do with your “need”. Since I first posted on this thread last year I now have an indoor/outdoor chair from wheelchair services. I had an indoor chair for 12 months and then got reassessed.
If you do not need a chair in the house (24/7) it is unlikely that you will be prescribed an outdoor chair and will have to fund it yourself
Jane
Hi Peter
I was worried about swapping my Invacare Apollo because it coped with my tiny bungalow. The Mirage is quite big – I’ve got a Quickie Salsa it turns on a sixpence and I can use it indoors with no problem. The turning circle of a mirage is 18cm but my salsa is only 120cm Wheelchair services usually prescribe Quikies – perhaps they would give you one of these. I measured all my turning circles (in the bathroom, kitchen, bedroom etc) to show that I needed a mid wheel drive.
Jane
[quote=“Wendels”]
Hi Peter
I was worried about swapping my Invacare Apollo because it coped with my tiny bungalow. The Mirage is quite big – I’ve got a Quickie Salsa it turns on a sixpence and I can use it indoors with no problem. The turning circle of a mirage is 18cm but my salsa is only 120cm Wheelchair services usually prescribe Quikies – perhaps they would give you one of these. I measured all my turning circles (in the bathroom, kitchen, bedroom etc) to show that I needed a mid wheel drive.
Jane
[/quote] A Quickie is still 2 big in my kitchen. I also live in a bungalow so if you only have the 1 chair how do u go on when u have been outside and the wheels are mucky and then u come back into your clean house? Peter x
Hi Peter,
Dirty wheels! I’ve tried all sorts but my latest method is this:
I bought some plastic runner and put it out right across my sitting room carpet (my door from my ramp is into the sitting room) I wheel across the plastic right onto the laminate in the hall and straight into the wet room and use the shower to spray off the muck. I’ve got a washing up brush gaffer taped to a longer handle so I can brush the wheels from sitting down.
I can clean the laminate and the plastic runner with a floor mop. It’s not perfect but it’s my best method so far. Don’t get me started on dog dirt though!
Jane
HI Jane
Which power chair do u have? x
HI Jane
Which power chair do u have? x
It’s a Quikie Salsa Midwheel and I love it.