Some Senior Centers have medical "closets" with donations which can be used for a limited amount of time.
But I also agree and from experience would recommend that the issue be raised with one of your mother's doctors, who can prescribe a wheelchair at no cost to your mother or you. That's what we did. A DME supplier with trained staff could better assess what might be appropriate than a donated wheelchair might be. And after a given number of months, the wheelchair ownership ceded to my parents.
Moving & pushing around people with mobility problems (aka manual handling) needs to be safe for you both.
I see no problem with free, donated, second hand if it is suitable.
I do see problems when people use wrong size equipment, broken, unsafe or unsuitable equipment.
It's only a wheelchair you may think...
Everyday wheelchairs come with big wheels - heavier to lift/fold but easier to push. Transit wheelchairs have smaller wheels - lighter to fold/lift into cars but harder to push.
If you're on Facebook, check out Facebook Marketplace (the icon that looks like a little house). If there's a group for your area or town, you could also ask there if anyone has one they're no longer using. I find people are very generous.
Maphaks Call your Area Agency on Aging and see what services are available for you and your mom. Each county has a AAA. Just google Area agency on aging, your county, your state. Your mom could perhaps benefit from a needs assessment through them. My mom received her wheelchair with a doctors order through original Medicare and her supplement policy. Your mom might have insurance coverage as well. Should she qualify for hospice, a wheelchair would be provided through hospice along with other services. Let them advise you.
If she only needs something for appointments or transfers and would only be spending a few minutes in the chair you can probably pick up something inexpensive at thrift stores or second hand sites. But if she is going to spend any amount of time in the chair please have her evaluated by an occupational therapist and prescribed a proper supportive chair!
But I also agree and from experience would recommend that the issue be raised with one of your mother's doctors, who can prescribe a wheelchair at no cost to your mother or you. That's what we did. A DME supplier with trained staff could better assess what might be appropriate than a donated wheelchair might be.
And after a given number of months, the wheelchair ownership ceded to my parents.
I see no problem with free, donated, second hand if it is suitable.
I do see problems when people use wrong size equipment, broken, unsafe or unsuitable equipment.
It's only a wheelchair you may think...
Everyday wheelchairs come with big wheels - heavier to lift/fold but easier to push.
Transit wheelchairs have smaller wheels - lighter to fold/lift into cars but harder to push.
Think of where it will be used.
Call your Area Agency on Aging and see what services are available for you and your mom. Each county has a AAA. Just google Area agency on aging, your county, your state. Your mom could perhaps benefit from a needs assessment through them.
My mom received her wheelchair with a doctors order through original Medicare and her supplement policy. Your mom might have insurance coverage as well. Should she qualify for hospice, a wheelchair would be provided through hospice along with other services. Let them advise you.