[SallyC]

I'm thinking of getting a powerchair for the home, instead of my little not so sturdy or dependable scooter. Darn things are expensive. Does Medicare cover it?

My big questions are...

1. How do you transfer to couch, toilet, tub/shower..etc...

In my scooter, I simply swimg my legs to one side, pull myself up and inch my feet till I can sit back down somewhere.

In a powerchair, how do you get your feet on the floor, in order to stand and transfer? Isn't that foot rest in the way?

I can just see me tripping over that thing and falling.

2. Did Medicare cover the total or partial cost?

3. Are they comfortable to sit in for awhile...unlike a scooter? ouch.

4. How do they handle outside? Are they sturdy, safe and reliable...in the yard or sidewalk?

5. What kind do you have, do you like it, do you have a lot of maintanance problems and which kind do you like the best.

6. Did you order it online or did you have a homecare mobility place, come and demonstrait and fit it for you?

I will so appreciate all your help.

[Kitt]

One part of your question - as far as I know Medicare covers it if you have to use it in the house. Of course, you could also then use it outside but you have to need it in the house. I don't know how much they cover but then your supplemental kicks in. This is true for scooters now and walkers, etc. Medicare used to just pay for them but now it's only if you have to use them in the house. This should help.

http://www.medicare.gov/publications/pubs/pdf/11046.pdf

[Dejibo]

My mothers scooter was covered by medicare, but only for IN home use. they didnt care if she had a ramp to use it in the car or a way to use it elsewhere.

Most seats swivel. You pull the handle and it swivels to the side so you can stand on the ground and transfer to the toilet or tub. Most have a handle to raise or lower the seat.

comfort? hmm...you can go to a medical supply store, and sit in a few to try them out.

Many have pretend leather seats and are easy to clean, and wont matter if you spill on it. Just wipe it up. Others have cloth and while I personally find the cloth seats more comfy, they stain, and get dusty, and are subject to the same rules as your couch. Crumbs get in the cracks, odors and dirt hang on. it will require some cleaning. You can get seat covers for them. They not only provide protection, but some cushion as well.

Im so proud of you! A nice step up!

[Lady]

Many people buy a gel seat, to add to it. I heard they are comfortable and removable. They cushion your hind end.

I have a manual chair, but not much arm strength, and a small house scooter that comes comes apart to travel. When in relapse I have used both. Or I use a store scooter when I needed to.

Remember my relapse used to last 6 to 8 weeks. If I have to go somewhere or to the doctors I use them with someone pushing my chair or taking apart my scooter. I don't have a van.

Since LDN I haven't needed either, but they are there if I do need them. We never know, right?

I did hear that Medicare won't pay for a chair unless you would be in bed if you didn't have an electric chair. If it lets you get up and go around your house. Need a doctors script for it too.

Not for outside use, but they do have ones with big tires and more power to use out of doors. Will they pay for these? I don't know. Rules change.

As for transferring, they sell a transfer board. Put it on the electric chair and couch. and slide over on it. Same in a van seat. The toilet you go on backward. Face the back of the toilet, using rails. Roll right up to it and pull on the back rail or side rails.

I hope this may help. Others will know better than I do.


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[SallyC]

Thanks to you few who answered here and to Kicker, who PMed me, I've decided that maybe I'm not yet ready to sink that much money into a powerchair. I only have simple Medicare - no supplimental.

I can still manage a cheaper scooter, physically, so I may just get a little better one-more reliable.

Thanks for your helpful replies.

[Dejibo]

Walgreens.com has a cheap, lightweight, easy to dismantle scooter. its about $600 which is half what the cheapest I could find was.

My mother had a wonderful scooter, and my druggie sister used to claim her back hurt, and would ride it everywhere when my mother wasnt on it. She was going on vacation somewhere and asked to borrow it for the long weekend, and when she brought it back, it was more dead than alive, the plug had been pulled out of the charger, and the seat was off its hinges. it was like it was in a wreck! She felt no shame, and made no offers to replace it or fix it. I went to Walgreens.com and got my mom that light weight thing, and she love it!

[SallyC]

Originally Posted by Dejibo

Walgreens.com has a cheap, lightweight, easy to dismantle scooter. its about $600 which is half what the cheapest I could find was.
I went to Walgreens.com and got my mom that light weight thing, and she love it!

I sure hope you're right, because I just ordered it!! Free delivery 599.00 + Tax.

[jprinz99]

you could also go to Goodwill and ask them about obtaining one of the donated wheelchairs (power and/or manual). It requires a Rx from your doctor, but the cost is free. You would be surprised at the quality of powerchairs they get donated to them - and it is yours if you ask fo rit and your MD says you would benefit from it.

[Kitt]

Originally Posted by SallyC

I sure hope you're right, because I just ordered it!! Free delivery 599.00 + Tax.

I hope that this works out for you being you never get to see it and try it out first. Let us know how it goes

[SallyC]

Thanks Jane, I'm ok for money, so I wouldn't use a charity. There are too many people who are in need and I wouldn't want to take their mobility devise.