Does insurance cover wheelchairs or bathroom safety items?

Call the uncle. Generally Medicare part B covers durable medical equipment as long as it has an MD order. Shower chairs are cheap. Wheelchairs can be found for next to nothing at the Goodwill or Salvation army.

mejjy, if your grandma is coming to live with you, will you also have the DPOA and the MPOA? This is only the beginning of the things you will need for her. A doctor's script is necessary for bathroom safety items (grab bars), wheelchair, walker, and other items for insurance to cover them. Discuss this with her doctor, and that office can probably get the ball rolling for you. Yes, you can get wheelchairs cheap at Goodwill or Salvation Army. However, they may not fit through the doorways in your house. And getting a wheelchair that actually fits the person is very helpful in the long run. In order for me to come home from rehab following hip replacement, an occupational therapist came out to our home to tell us what needed to be in place for me. Again, the doctor could order this evaluation. You will learn a lot from such a visit. You are taking on a lot having her come to live with you. Take time to find resources in your community to help you and your grandma, such as Area Agency on Aging and the local senior center. Good luck.

Yes, I would contact your uncle and he can see what's covered. My experience is that Medicare covers walkers, wheel chairs, "bed side" commodes (not ones for in the bathroom) and they don't cover shower chairs (just went through this with my mom). Medicare figures they can take a bath or sponge bath - go figure. But shower chair are pretty cheap and you can get them on-line too. Good luck!!

If your grandfather was a vet, you may get some assistance from the veterans administration. We received a wheelchair thru insurance and medicare after back surgery for my dad. He is a big man and it is a big heavy chair. I usually use the light weight one I bought for my mom online. Small wheels not the big ones on the side. This one is so much lighter, can easily put in the back seat of the car and fits thru doorways easier

If your grandmother will be living with you will you be the one taking her to her Dr. appointments? If so, you should have the MPOA and be listed with her Dr. and insurance company as such so that they can share information with you.

Look for a transport chair, not a full wheelchair, as they are lighter and less expensive. A transport chair does not have the large wheels on the side and folds up easily to fit in the trunk or back seat of a car. When looking for a chair keep granny's height and weight in mind and buy a chair in which she will feel secure. If it is too large she will slide around and it will be uncomfortable.

Contact friends and ask whether anyone has any of these types of items available - transport chair, bedside commode, shower chair, etc. - or do they know anyone who does inhome care as those folks often have access to used items.

Definitely install grab bars in the bathroom and perhaps along a hall. Use good size and install with toggle bolts through the well. Take up any throw rugs or area rugs. Have good lighting and night lights. Take up decorative items on the floor that might be in granny's walking path. Consider a ramp for the exterior stairs if there are more that a couple. It just makes things easier.

Medicare pays for one.

Please try to find out what kind of insurance she has as that will be a key factor. Some insurances will pay for things like this if there is a doctor's order. Depending on what state you live in, there might be places that we call here in Iowa "Medical loan closets." These are places that you can go to get a wheel chair, walkers, commodes, things for the shower, etc. Sometimes, some hospitals will as well have these "loan closets." There is no cost for this at all!

Rosebush, there are highrisers that go on the toilet that give somemore highth. If you have the room, I think a commode is better. The arms help the person get up and the legs can be adjusted. The back bar screws off. You can buy a splash guard to take the place of the bucket or cut the bottom off the bucket.

My moms Medicare paid for bed and chair and walker and bedside commode. They will also repair as needed and replace after several years. Bedside commodes also work great as shower chairs. When you get a wheelchair try to get a good jell cushion. Medicare will pay for that also. Don't allow her to sit in it too long. Bad for circulation. But easier/safer to get up and down due to raised height and can be locked in place. Find a good medical supplier and they can help you choose. Try to get physical and occupational therapy in your home for her. It's so important that she keep active. If she sits and gains weight it will be hard on her and you. The PT will give her exercises that the two of you can do together. The OT will help you make sure your home is safe and help her maneuver in her new environment. Sorry you didn't ask for that last bit. Because to take care of yourself. Good luck.

97 yroldmom, great advice, I had ot and pt in they were extremely helpful. Looked at our tub/shower, tjought about it, then told me what type of shower chair would work best. Then came back to show me the easiest way to actually get mom on chair and showered. I liked the fact that as my mom was declining, they came back with new suggestions. Great advice!