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?

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.

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)

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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!

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 :)