Outside Mobility Ideas? My dad wants to pick blueberries on his property like he has all of his life. How do I get him out there safely?

There is low gardening seat that has 4 fat sand type tires. It rolls easily from plant to plant when gardening. I think I got mine at Home Depot last year. It’s a hard vinyl plastic and easily hosed off. It’s a back saver. I’ve seen them advertised in plant and seed catalogs.

If he is going to be bending or stooping low, I might look into getting a low stool or something he could sit on. Like those low plastic step stools. It might be easier for him to get up from it than to get up from the ground. And he could still travel around in the golf cart.

Partly depends on how far he would need to walk and how far he is able to walk with an assistant device but they make walkers with wheels that are beefier and meant to go over turf that also have a seat so that he could sit on the seat while picking and then get up and move along with it to the next area...my GM loved hers and that was a very early model.

I hope you can work something out! The thought of your dad picking blue berries makes me smile too. Keep us updated.

If you're willing and able to buy a golf cart, that sounds like an ideal way for you to get your father outdoors for all occasions including blueberry picking. Sunshine never hurts. And the golf cart provides shade and a place for him to rest.

My goodness some of the people here would rather you wrap him up in bubblewrap than let the man pick berries. Yes he might fall and yes he might get stung by a bee but both of those things could happen anytime he stepped foot outside. Let the man pick blueberries!

I love the golf cart idea. Just getting your father out into the blueberry field may be satisfying enough. He may not need to actually pick blueberries so much as be involved in the process. There may even be some vines that are tall enough so that he can pick from the cart?
An ideal situation would be to find some kids who want to help, too. Teens or grandchildren could do it for free, or neighbors who do it for payment in blueberries or a little cash?
I think this sounds so sweet, what a nice way to spend time with your father out of doors. Not sure where you live but I think that golf cart is going to come in very handy!
I see blueberry pie in your future.

While he may *want* to pick blueberries, is he physically able to do so? I’m just asking as if he loses his footing and/or takes a fall that would be quite detrimental for him.
Blueberry picking is quite physical. Can he bend down and get back up without help? He would be bending, and reaching for hours. And it gets warm out there- all the bees, wasps, etc, will come out. He may get stung.
I would reconsider this exercise unless he can walk safely and has no deficits. This could put him in danger.

Matrix- bless you for not just ignoring his wishes. That is super.
If a golf cart is something you can do, that would be ideal. Then you can just take him riding around at other times. But whatever you choose thank you for making it happen for him. I know I would.

Good evening, Matrix,

What a pleasant request - to go blueberry picking! A golf cart would be ideal. I wonder if you could borrow or rent one? They are rather expensive. What about a wheelchair? These can be rented. Preferably one with big wheels that could maneuver through dirt and grass. If possible, have another person to assist you. One person to push him in the wheelchair and another to carry the walker if he wants to stand up to pick the berries higher up. What I would not use is a motorized wheelchair or scooter. These can easily overturn on uneven ground.

I don't know what part of the country you live in, but it could be 3-4 months before the berries are ready. He may forget his plans by then. I know it is more work for you, but I hope he doesn’t forget. The thought of your father picking blueberries this summer makes me smile.

There are walkers called rollators. They have seats and some have a place under the seat were you can put stuff.