Hello. I am recovering from a relapse which has left my walking and balance all to hell, and I am just not getting better, so I think it is time to go for a whelchair.
I don’t know much about them, so I would like to hire a motorised one before I splash out and buy one.
Does anyone know the best / cheapest way I should go about hiring?
Hi Bostick,
Just got my first electric w/c, not because of pushing; no problem there. I got an Invacare that I can recline to take the pressure off my bum. Gonna swear now cost over friggin £7000 and I hate it; I will probably get used to it but in the meantime have destroyed my flat.
Anyway your query ask your GP; MS Nurse or O/T to refer you to the wheelchair services and you can get one from them; the thing is they will also service it
I already have a manual from them; they won’t let you have two.
Alternatively if you get DLA Mobility component I believe you can get one from them. Whoever your supplier is say you want to try before you buy.
George
Thanks George.
Hi Bostick,
Not sure of your area but when I had my hips replaced a few years ago I hired a chair from my local red cross. It was about £5 a week. It was 8 years ago now but I understand you can still hire from them. Maybe worth a try before you buy.
I bougth a small electric wheelchair from betterlife from Lloyds Pharmacy, it cost me 500.00. I rarely use it now. It was supposed to be less heavy but to be honest its still heavy to put in back of car.
They are selling a Refurbished Drive Cobalt Electric Powerchair for about that price which is all you need. I ended up buying a normal wheelchair off Ebay from Angel i think they are called it was only 50.00 delivered and is fab, very light weight. Its self propel, but i never use it in the house, its used now outside when my PA comes and we go shopping, and my husband and family can use it when i got out as well. I still walk in the house i walk by holding onto my grab rails. I know its essential for me to keep on my legs as much as I can.
Get your GP to refer you to your OT. They will sort you out with a wheelchair and will put aids in your house for you. Yes you can also hire wheelchairs if you google hire wheelchairs in your area I expect there is a company that does them.