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anonymous933878 Asked July 2019

Getting my husbands wheelchair in the car is hard. It is very heavy to lift. I tied the back seat but the wheels are very large. Any advice?

I switched from a transit chair to one that is easier to push but the back wheels are so large that I am having trouble getting it into the car. It is a bit heavier and so cumbersome. I am 80 years old and afraid of hurting myself by lifting this chair into the trunk. Any advice as to making this chore easier ?

MachieLuzon Jul 2019
Amazon.com has a portable wheel chair that I bought a year ago. The chair folds so you can place it in a zip up black strong bag. All you need to do is put the two parts back on for the feet . Cup holder and all . It hold up to 350 pounds, not heavy and you just pick it up and lay it down on the back floor of the car . I'm 80 and it works for me ! pull it up on the web and it shows you what it does. God Bless.

Sduval Jul 2019
get help non emergancy can assist

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Baileyparker Jul 2019
Does your city have mobility bus system
you need to call and get an application your doctor will have to sign off on it
I paid $2.00 each way for my husband so for both of us the total round trip was $8.00
If that would be a hardship you can apply for a discount
The thing to remember is that they give you a window of time to pick you up at home and at your apartment
It can be an exhausting day,I always carried food and water for my husband
Is there a family member who could help out once in a while

Parise Jul 2019
Time for a Van to help you Better, Something with the Mechanisms needed to be the Angel you are.

GinnyRuth Jul 2019
She said she switched from a "transit chair" which I'm thinking is a transport chair. Apparently it was harder to push. Maybe she needs to go back to it though.

Llamalover47 Jul 2019
Buy another wheelchair, but FIRST get it okayed with his doctor so that Medicare may pay for it. Explain the rationale to the doctor.

Baileyparker Jul 2019
The thing to remember is Medicare pays for the cheapest
wheelchair
if you want to get a lighter chair you will have to pay the difference
I have used a four wheel walker for many years
A few years ago Medicare changed the rules they would only pay for silver
walkers.’
Ysing a silver walker us difficult

Rattled Jul 2019
My friend is 48 and cannot get her dad’s wheelchair into the car because it is heavy and cumbersome. She calls for medical transport to take him places. I don’t know if that’s an option for you, but if it’s for doctor appointments etc, and you absolutely must go out, there’s some help available.

Judy1102 Jul 2019
I use a transport chair to take my husband out. It is lighter, but a bit harder to push. We use the regular wheelchair around the house and apartment building.

Baileyparker Jul 2019
Get a transport chair
they are lighter than a regular chair
you will have to push the chair as it is not designed for the person to push the chair
but it will be easier to lift

chill47 Jul 2019
Switch to a transport wheel chair, they are so much lighter and easier to lift. I wish I had known about this years ago, it would have saved me a lot of back pain. I am now using that chair for my husband and my mother.

Taarna Jul 2019
There are lighter weight wheelchairs and options for mounting it to the back bumper (similar to a bike rack). If lifting is getting tougher for you, please get a doctor's evaluation of your health, strength and mobility. You may qualify for financial help with adaptive devices based on your current abilities. I found that my physical therapists (for my arthritis in hands and knee) were very helpful in suggesting adaptive devices.

OldSailor Jul 2019
I am wondering if the back seat that causes the problem could be removed by mechanic or a mechanically inclined person? With that big cushion out of the way it might be easier for you to get the wheels to co-operate.
If it can be removed, don't discard it but, store it some place around the house (if you can find room for it.
The seat back would not necessarily need to be removed. Just the sitting part.

debbiesdaz Jul 2019
Contact a medical care equipment place and see what the cost would be to attach a W/C carrier to the back of your car and attach it on the outside of the car.  That way, you won't be struggling to cram it into your car.  Also, see if someone younger is available to help you when you need this done.

Lorraine12 Jul 2019
There is a wheel hair called a transport chair ,it is SO MUCH LIGHTER!! GOOD LUCK

desert192 Jul 2019
Sounds like you have the one that Medicare provides. Struggled with that one with my husband. When I needed one for Mom I got a Drive Brand one from Walmart. Not very expensive - around $150. Pushes easy and easy to lift. Wish I had it for husband (and me) So much better.

my2cents Jul 2019
Go to Walgreens and look at the aluminum transport chairs. Very light.

lynina2 Jul 2019
A lot of good answers here. Not all transport chairs are equal and you should weigh the one that is giving you grief, so that the next one is lighter. Don't know how old your vehicle is, but many small SUV style vehicles have a straight shot into the back, no lip to have to lift the chair over. These vehicles also sit a little higher which can make it slightly easier to get in and out of the car too. You are right to be concerned. The last thing you want to do is get injured yourself!

anonymous683453 Jul 2019
There are newer chairs made of composite materials that are much lighter weight than traditional steel chairs. They also fold up and have wheels that will roll over many surfaces, even gravel. My mother in law had one that only weighed about 20 pounds.

quiltinrealtor Jul 2019
Maybe get one of those small platforms that hitch to the back of the vehicle and strap it on that instead. Much less lifting involved.

Eloise1943 Jul 2019
I am in the same situation I can handle the chair if I take off the leg supports and then put them back on when I get there Hope this helps.
Bless you.
Invisible Jul 2019
Definitely take the leg supports off, but I was also able to bend down the handles which makes it much easier putting into the car. These transport chairs from Walgreens are pretty good and lightweight. My dad liked them so much that he opted to use one to scoot around inside the house instead of the big wheeled ones they tend to want to give you.
MachieLuzon Jul 2019
I bought my husband a Portable wheel chair that folds and you carry it in a black zip up bag , It's not that heavy for me . I bought it on Amazon. My husband is 229 lbs but when I bought it he was 265 pounds. The chair holds up to 350 pounds. All you do is carry it by the handle or on your shoulder. Unfolded , all you do is put the attachments on that hold the feet . Cup holder and all. You can literally throw it on the floor in the back of the car , Works for me and I'm 80 years old .Hope this helps .

cetude Jul 2019
You can get hurt and you will have to live with it. If your husband is on Medicaid, chances are you have transport benefits. If not, see if you can get home doctor visits. Call your local council of the aging or do an internet search regarding home doctor visits which chances are a nurse practitioner can come over and draw labs, prescribe routine medications, and so on. Other possibilities are teledoctors.

Countrygal55 Jul 2019
In our area they offer transport services that will take ur loved one to Dr's appointments. I never used one but had inquired into when my mother became immobile. She is on hospice now.

commutergirl Jul 2019
I got my mom a transport wheelchair where all 4 wheels are small and it is extremely light weight. If we intend to go somewhere with rough terrain like the Fair, then I will take what I call the big butt chair because of the back tires.
HVsdaughter Jul 2019
Our state fair in Kansas has a fleet of motorized scooters for rent if you call in advance to reserve one. Very reasonable fee for a day.
Peanuts56 Jul 2019
Have you investigated the option of a traveling wheelchair? It is lighter and easier to fold.

MimiAltman Jul 2019
I am only 54 but small... I use a transporter chair. It's got 4 small wheels and way lighter.

CaregiverL Jul 2019
First, I was going to recommend switching to transport chair for going out, but then saw you are 80 yo ...you definitely should never lift any chair...!!!

Grandma1954 Jul 2019
There are holders that can be attached to the car. Just like a bike rack. You might have to take it to a shop that sells or rents trailers. I just "googled" them and quite a few different types came up.
NeedHelpWithMom Jul 2019
What about in the rain? Are there covers too?
Beatty Jul 2019
Similar to CarlaCB: my Mum uses a wheelchair full-time. Has the big wheels - a dream to push. The wheels do pop off & the seat can also be removed. That makes it better but the frame is still too heavy/awkward to put into my small car.

My Sister needs a wheelchair part-time, for outings with more walking. We got a transit one with the small wheels to be lighter but just too hard to push.

I wish I had the answer for you. Maybe there is a lightweight chair with pop off wheels you could keep in the car?

I think you must be amazing but I worry for your back. My Dad catches more taxis these days: wheelchair taxis but also regular taxis as Mum can stand & transfer in. The driver will offen help put the chair in for them.

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