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?

Happy2stitch, when you and your husband go out in the car and reach your destination, what will you mainly be using the wheelchair for?

Also: how large and how heavy is your husband? (roughly - I'm not asking for his vital statistics!)

There is a mobility specialist store which I hope is within reach for you, and whose customers praise their customer service in reviews. The thing to do is to give these people a ring, explain what your husband's needs are AND what your needs are when it comes to the wheelchair and transport, and ask their advice. I will send you the website link in a private message, because there are rules about advertising on the forum and I wouldn't want to break them. I just found these details by Googling "mobility equipment, Scarsdale NY" and seeing what came up.

It is also very important to shop around yourself and not just take the first product offered. When you do find a wheelchair that's a possibility, ask to try it first and check that you can manage it easily - and don't buy it unless they'll let you!

Private message to follow :)

How about a mobility scooter? I know you would need a car lift for it and they do get pricey, but, I believe Medicare has a program for them. They are very popular here in Florida. I understand about your problem, my step dad has one, he is moving here, and I told my brother, I will do errands for him and go to the AL and have lunch with them on occasion, but, unless it is an emergency I won't be driving him around. Between lifting the wheelchair and trying to get him in and out of it, it is too much for me. I am no spring chicken myself! Does your county offer disability vans that can pick you up and take you to the store and so on, they do here and in AZ, very nominal fee. Hope that you find the answer you need!

I found a couple of videos that might give you some ideas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgJia-r9mEc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gel-F-mJnL8

Difficulty loading the chair is one of the big reasons people opt for the transport chairs, I'm much younger than you and I found mom's wheelchair a brute to handle but I agree it is much easier to push than a transport chair. I imagine that people would be willing to lend you a hand if you play helpless old lady - I've wanted to jump in several times when I watch people coming and going at the doctor's office down the street.

We had to switch my Mom to a transport chair from the one with the big wheels because we had several people taking her out and nobody but me could lift the chair into the hatch of her minivan. It was a little hard to push, but that's the tradeoff we made.

At one point my mother had a folding crane-type contraption in the back of her car that picked up the wheelchair (power chair) on a big hook and delivered it into the hatch. This was powered by the car's 12-volt electrical system. I don't know if there's a smaller system that could be used for push wheelchairs or that would fit into a regular car trunk.

When we used to push wheelchairs, I never noticed that the smaller wheels made the transport wheelchair harder to push. Perhaps you and hubby could go to a mobility store and test out different wheelchairs for weight and ease of pushing. If nothing works, I can only suggest using a transport service for disabled people (if there is one in your area) that would assist him and his wheelchair into the vehicle or lift him right inside the vehicle while still seated.

Best of luck to you finding what works for you and him.

Travel wheelchairs are much lighter and easier to fold up. They are kind of like rollators with a seat.

I struggle with mom’s walker at times. Wheelchairs are harder. I see those travel wheelchairs a lot in doctor’s office. It’s a tough way for us to either build more muscles or hopefully not hurt ourselves.

Mom only uses the wheelchair for long hallways. They are giant in the doctor’s office. I guess it’s because so many people are obese. Mom could fit in a child’s wheelchair because she’s tiny.

Found this on amazon.com for $170.00

https://www.amazon.com/Silver-Spring-MWCC-Wheelchair-Platform/dp/B00XN5ESLQ/ref=asc_df_B00XN5ESLQ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312158603728&hvpos=1o4&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9416081096947650538&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1019973&hvtargid=pla-586962299972&psc=1

Is it at all possible to have the car modified and a ramp fitted so that he could have a motorised buggy. I don't know if you have a disability vehicle scheme, or modification scheme in the US.

When my husband needed a wheelchair for a while, we lucked onto a barely used "hybrid" chair whic allows you to swap between big big wheels and small ones. It's sturdier than a transport chair, but a lot lighter than a regular wheelchair. We ended up using it with just the small wheels, though of course that meant he always had to be pushed and couldn't push himself. I found it quite easy to push, and my husband is a tall guy though not super heavy. . But for transport, it definitely worked well. The big bonus: It was light enough for me to get in and out of our car (33 lbs). Here's the one we have: https://www.amazon.com/Medline-Wheelchair-Transport-Desk-Length-Swing-Away/dp/B00A3PQDM6

Thank all of you for your good advice. I had a scooter for him in the trunk of my car and just removed it and put it in my storage room. I lease a car so I do not think they will allow me to add a device for transport. I will continue to struggle with this chair and yes, I am building up muscle strength,    (smile)

These folks answering know more than I do, I'd just suggest if financially and logistically feasible to get a 2nd lighter weight one and leave it in the car...that will cut down on the amount of in/out you have to do. Take care of yourself, I'm glad you are thinking about being careful and hurting yourself potentially...it will be a bigger mess without you around to care for him. Also be sure not to overlook any potential local office on aging offerings...at least some of the time maybe they offer transportation for both of you that might have a wheelchair lift and they would handle the bulk of the effort and strain.

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.

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.

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...!!!

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

Have you investigated the option of a traveling wheelchair? It is lighter and easier to fold.

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.

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.

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.

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 .

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.