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After an extremely unpleasant trip to the ophthalmologist, I am wondering if anyone has suggestions for boosting a short person in a wheelchair? We do have a cushion, but it "squishes down" and really doesn't help. My mother is unable to use most of the diagnostic equipment for a routine eye exam because she sits too low in her transport chair, even with the devices maximally lowered. A well-meaning assistant tried to transfer her to the exam room chair, an iffy proposition owing to her severe and painful osteoarthritis. Well, she managed to get partially onto the chair, then began bellowing in pain. We won't be trying that again. I know there are chairs that can be raised and lowered, but I am guessing these are quite heavy, and beyond the ability of my 61-year-old bad back to lift in and out of a tiny car. I plan on researching this via Google, but this forum is so helpful that it's always my first stop. Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

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Some companies have excellent videos showing how their products / chairs work. And, try You Tubes. Everything is on Y T.
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Belsnickles: Google showed an adjustable height transport chair available on Amazon.

Disclaimer: This is not an advertisement since advertising is not permitted on the forum.
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An Occupational Therapist may be able to provide solutions to the hurdles disabled people have in utilizing medical appointments (elective or otherwise).

copy and paste:
https://www.uwmedicine.org/locations/therapy-services-eastside-specialty-center
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Belsnickles Sep 2023
Good idea. Thank you.
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I did not find transport chairs with lifts. I did find a lift chair you can use for transferring.

https://www.amazon.com/Transfer-Wheelchair-Lightweight-Adjustable-Portable/dp/B0B159DGWB/ref=sr_1_25?hvadid=580791536121&hvdev=t&hvlocphy=9003829&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=331081911964731554&hvtargid=kwd-304284808302&hydadcr=25224_13493156&keywords=height+adjustable+wheelchair&qid=1693849208&sr=8-25&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.5137e923-c7be-4142-979c-7c68b6c26f63
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Belsnickles Sep 2023
Thanks, JoAnn. Very helpful.
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Sorry, but for Mom, who is intelligent and well educated, can live in fifth there is something wrong. Maybe not Dementia but somekind of disorder. My sister did not live in fifth but could have cleaned lots better. We think she suffered from depression.

An eye doctor can do a basic exam why someone is in a wheelchair. They can even figure what strength of glasses are needed. My nephew was 8 months when he got his first pair of glasses. Dr. went by how the light effected the eye.
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Animallovers Sep 2023
I am similar in many ways when it comes to my house and my own care but I am improving. With me it is a combination of depression and ADD. I am being treated for both and I am now better able to manage but now that I am putting so much time and energy into my mothers needs keeping up with my own is still a challenge, even with help for her. No one chooses to live in a very messy house but not all of us have the ability to keep up. I am making progress and I do plan to hire a house cleaner for myself, not just for my mother! I wish people would realize that it doesn’t take severe mental deficiencies to end up in an out of control house.
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The assistant should not have helped, they could have been hurt. Your Mom is probably a 2 person assist.
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Sorry, reply below, Barb. Thanks for your comment.
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Given the information in your profile, I find it odd that you think that your mom is "cognitively intact".

Hoarding, self-isolation and refusing medical would seem to add up to a strong suspicion of dementia.

Perhaps she can answer who is the president, knows the date and who she is, but that does not equal "cognitively intact".

As to an eye exam, call your local Area Agency on Aging and ask if they have a listing for an ophthalmologist with elder-friendly equipment.
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Belsnickles Sep 2023
She does not have dementia, Barb. Nor does she have any significant cognitive decline. But I agree, living in those circumstances indicates, de facto, that there was some problem. She just was not able to keep up with things, was very ashamed, and hid it from me for a long time. She didn't allow anyone in the house, but continued to be social with friends and former coworkers. As for the reticence re: medical care, her mother being taken away by the proverbial "men in white coats" (something she witnessed as a small child) and taken to a "hospital" set up a lifelong fear of doctors. She still receives medical care when necessary, but does not want to do the elective things that might make her life better (e.g., cataract removal, joint replacement, etc.). That's a great suggestion about calling the Agency on Aging. Will do that. Thank you!
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