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I'm currently researching the supportive wheelchairs as opposed to a gerichair. I have seen the gerichair in person and how it works. What I am curious about is whether the supportive wheelchair offers anything more. My LO, who is in MC, last stage dementia, is now leaning quite a bit. My LO, who is in MC, last stage dementia, is now leaning quite a bit. Meds have been reduced, but, she's still declining. She will lean to the side or the front. It seems her body is just not able to hold itself up. (Physical therapist eval, is not candidate for therapy.) I want something that can help support her from slumping, because I think that would be uncomfortable and not good long term. I have seen some on-line that have supportive cushions on the side, but, do they really work? Other's experience would be appreciated. One also has a head brace, but, I'sm not sure how her head would be kept in it or how practical that would be.

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"We" tried a Geri Chair, my Husband was on Hospice at the time. And a Geri Chair is less expensive for Hospice to rent than a Broda Chair.
The Geri Chair, and we tried the standard and the Bariatric one were just not a right chair for him. We did get the Broda Chair and it was great. More comfortable than a regular wheel chair and it did offer quite a bit more support than a regular chair and much more than a Geri Chair would have.
The cushions at the arm and the side, at the back of the neck, leg area are all repositionalbe so it you can support areas that are becoming more weak. Trunk support is one of the main things that goes.
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I haven't seen any hospital or nursing home near me that uses the geri chairs, the most severely disabled people here are all in Broda chairs with positioning cushions. The Brodas are more portable than a geri chair so people are lifted from bed to chair and easily taken to the lounge, bath, dining room or even to entertainment, and the cushion systems are changeable according to need.
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Hi, I've been a nurse for 20+ years and I would recommend either a Broda chair or a reclining wheelchair (sometimes called a high back wheelchair) with lateral supports, a foot board and a gel or pommel cushion. I currently work in hospice and it sounds like your LO would qualify for hospice and they can provide you with the wheelchair and supports. You might be able to get a broada chair but it would depend on the hospice. If you go that way, I would insist on it before you agree to sign her up. Otherwise I would recommend being a bit more persist with the OT consult. You might need to go straight to the doctor ad he/she would need to order a consult. Good luck!
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Mom has been in NH for 6 wks and had Geri chair and had the same problem of sliding sideways. She was then placed in a Broda chair, and that fits her needs. It supports her shoulders better, so keeps her straighter. We use a travel style neck pillow to help support neck as needed.
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Sunny, is there no OT available at your cousin's memory care? They should be able to evaluate her needs and make recommendations, and help with customizing whatever you choose.
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There should be. I asked for an evaluation, but, haven't heard anything back. I'll follow up though. In the meantime, I'll explore the Broda chairs. Thanks for the info.
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Recliner wheelchairs are not recommended because the patient can slide out. Sounds like your loved one needs a tilt in space wheelchair. This can be customized for postural asymmetries and allows for pressure relief on the skin. Your loved one needs a face to face (medicare term) with his doctor and then a PT or OT can assess what specifications the chair needs for postural support. The PT or OT will find a medical supply vendor in the area that takes Medicare insurance for this type of chair. It is a covered item. Good Luck.
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The face to face visit with your loved one's doctor is specifically to address the need for a wheelchair and is required by Medicare. The PT or OT can follow up as I mentioned in the last post.
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If you get a specially equipped wheelchair, they have certain excess cerise that can be added to certain models. Some models are also tilt models that can also help along with the supports when the patient is sitting up straight. If you go to a special needs school, you'll probably run into a lot of patients who use these types of wheelchairs. Some of them are also computerized. You may also look at types of cushions that can be customized for specific patients and you can see about building your own wheelchair for that patient through simple customization. Another option is to look for used wheelchairs that have what you need
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