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jillhamby Asked October 2014

What should I look for when buying a wheelchair?

It looks like they range anywhere from $100 to thousands of dollars.

glasshalffull Oct 2014
We got a transport chair as first option since I can easily lift it into car. We have a regular chair but 90 yr old mom can't manage it.
Transport chair is real handy. Mom can even propel it using just her feet.
She uses a two-wheeled walker around the house but can not use a 4 wheel walker or rollator because they go too fast for her now.

JessieBelle Oct 2014
There are some major things to consider. How large is the person? How much time will be spent in the chair? How wide are the doors in the house? Do you want the person to be able to move themselves around or do you just need a transport chair? Do you want a ordinary or a power wheelchair?

I purchased a NOVA regular wheelchair for $400+something dollars. It is wide enough to handle a larger person and has detachable leg rests. It is fairly heavy, but light enough for me to fold up and put in the trunk. It has only one major drawback -- it is too large to fit through the bathroom doors in the house. Why do they make those bathroom doors so small???? Bathrooms were called closets back in the old days. And many still use closet doors for them. Very wheelchair/walker unfriendly.

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freqflyer Oct 2014
Don't forget on a wheelchair to buy one that has a place where the patient can put their feet.... some of the cheaper ones don't have that option.

pamstegma Oct 2014
Look for proper fit. Get the Rx from the MD, go to a hospital supply store where they will measure height and hips and leg length for the most comfort. Sometimes all you need is a rollator.

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