Electric Wheelchair Advice

archieduh on 14/11/2024 - 18:21
Last edited 14/11/2024 - 18:36 by 1 other user

My partner is 66 and got into a minor accident which fractured their knee cap.

As the recovery is 6 months, I feel I should get an electric wheelchair for evening walks or some weekend outing.

Any suggestions or recommendations?

As it's 5-6 months I feel buying and not renting is the way to go. Also looking for opinions on my thoughts of getting a wheelchair. Ideally, she isn't immobile and will walk to gain strength day to day; but for longer walks or leisure I thought it could be a nice addition to have us continue a normal lifestyle. I am fairly old myself so think an electric assisted one should do the job.

Health & Beauty Wheelchair

Comments

  • bargaino on 14/11/2024 - 19:07
    +5

    Make sure you get proper medical advice, e.g. from the physio, first.
    Sometimes mobility aids can be counter-productive.

    There are lots of cheap (<$1k) new ones on eBay etc, but they look moor for indoors and smooth paths.
    I'd consider looking on Gumtree etc for a used Shoprider or equivalent, as many people buy them for family members who are not able to use them for very long. Asking prices may be higher than realistic, so be willing to haggle.

  • holdenmg on 14/11/2024 - 19:16
    +1

    If your Health Fund has Extras they may cover some of the cost of the Wheelchair. (Probably not). :+(

    Otherwise I'd rent.

  • racer1234 on 14/11/2024 - 19:20
    +4

    Call myagedcare and organise an assesment from an occupational therapist. They can advise on the best options and commonly arrange funding through medical aid subsidy scheme.
    A mobility scooter may suit your partner better than a wheelchair but get advice from the experts. The occupational therapist rather than ozbargain.

  • The Value on 14/11/2024 - 19:28

    My dad has a cheap eBay one. He's under 80kg. Faster than walking. Quite nimble. Warranty was quite good. Battery died 6 months in and they sent us a new battery.

    https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/164193731402

    • archieduh on 14/11/2024 - 21:33

      Thanks, will speak to a medical/therapist before taking the call to buy one.

  • sumyungguy on 14/11/2024 - 20:15

    WHILL Model F is half price at the moment; PM if you need more details
    WHILL Model Ri has only just been released in the US market, I don't know local pricing and availability
    WHILL Model C2 at $9K is probably a bit too expensive

    • archieduh on 14/11/2024 - 21:33

      Thanks, will speak to a medical/therapist before taking the call to buy one.

  • jv on 14/11/2024 - 20:47
    +1

    Electric Wheelchair Advice

    Read the reviews and be careful of fires.

  • jv on 14/11/2024 - 20:51
    +2

    I feel I should get an electric wheelchair for evening walks

    Maybe something like this ?

    • sumyungguy on 14/11/2024 - 20:58
      +2

      As OP appears to be fully ambulant, perhaps something more like this

  • morse on 14/11/2024 - 21:29
    +5

    They are called powered wheelchairs now to help with your search (as electric chairs didn’t have the best connotations).

    Knee cap is hard as you can’t use a knee scooter.

    I’d highly encourage not becoming wheelchair dependent over a kneecap and doing as much on crutches as possible. I’d also recommended doing as much upper body and floor based exercise as possible so not to become deconditioned.

    However I get what you mean in terms of staying involved. Electric scooter might be better for your purposes, but not like an escooter you stand on, one of the old school seated ones. A few ways to go about this. Many companies hire. Alternatively look on marketplace or in op shops. Just check the battery is okay if second hand. Other way to go is manual wheelchair with arm and one sided foot propel - at least it’s active and lots of manual wheelchair hire options are available.

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