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I. How We Work in Washington. Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services. APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
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VI. No Waiver of Your Rights. APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.I agree that: A.I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information"). B.APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink. C.APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site. D.If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records. E.This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year. F.You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
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Mostly Independent
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Does the battery use lot of electric? She can't use cane anymore, but wants to go out. would a regular wchair light and portable to good. i don't know what to do about this.
helpus, please give us more information... such as what are your Mom's health issues? Does she have memory issues?
Normally a person will go from a cane to using a walker, has she tried that? There are some really nice rolling walkers that have wheels, hand brakes [if Mom is coordinated enough to know how to use hand brakes], a basket to carry things, and a seat so she can sit down when tired. My Dad has one and he really likes using it :)
Well, first you have the MD write a Rx for a wheelchair. Power chairs are pretty heavy, try and lift one yourself. The store will fit her to a chair proper for her height and weight. An OT will train her on safe use. Medicare covers 80% of the rental, you pay the rest.
I have no experience with scooters or motorized wheelchairs. The progression my parents went was cane to four-wheel walker as freqflyer stated. Both did very well with the walkers for quite some time - also really liked the type that came with a seat and cubbie under the seat for toting things around. Neither parent got the hang of the handbreak but never lost control of their walker. That said - if you are determined to have something motorized, the scooters by far out numbered the motorized wheelchairs in the retirement community where my parents lived - so I'd assume there's something to that. Please keep in mind a walker will keep your mom up and moving under her own steam which is good for her. In both my parents case they have/had both walker and regular wheelchair - we would use the chair in cases where we had distances to go or needed to move at a quicker pace.
HelpUs, the issue isn't so much which is better as it is which is more appropriate for mother.
A rollator, which is a rolling walker with a seat and basket beneath, is more sturdy than a walker but it does require the ability to use a handbrake. It's also heavier than a walker and harder (at least for me) to get in a car because it doesn't completely collapse and takes up literally all the space between the front and back seats.
A scooter can be fitted into the trunk of a car, but I found that I had to take everything out of the trunk and put it in the back seat to get the scooter into the trunk. Getting it out is even harder because of the need to bend over the trunk and lean in - it puts a lot of stress on the back. The battery is heavy.
However, if you have a station wagon or SUV or vehicle with a hatchback and flat trunk, it's a lot easier to maneuver.
There is no way of telling how much electricity a battery uses without some means of specifically monitoring the output for charging it as well as how long it lasts.
I'm not sure if Medicare will pay for a scooter though; there are Hoverhound scooters which are also available; however, there was a federal crackdown on these and if I recall correctly the FBI was involved in a raid of the headquarters - I don't remember all the issues but I believe there was abuse by the company selling them in getting Medicare to pay for them. I'm not sure what the status of them is now.
The drawback with a wheelchair is that it doesn't allow the individual to use his/her legs in the same way as a walker or rollator, thus allowing the legs to atrophy (absent other exercise). The lightweight ones I've seen aren't as supportive in the seat area, but they're easier to manage simply for short transit.
Wheelchairs are not particularly comfortable; you'd likely need a gel pad or some other support for the seat as well as the back because they're no inherent padding.
Without knowing more about your mother's condition, it's hard to say which type of assistance might be the best for her. This is an issue you could ask a therapist if one is involved, or even one of her doctors.
I would recommend though that you ask an orthopedic doctor or someone who's older; one of the youngsters who we no longer see was insistent that a cane was best, but my father found a walker to be much more stable and helpful for him. The youngster doctor hadn't much experience with older folks, I think.
On the handbreak issue - ALL my parents doctors, PTs, OTs, rehabs, home health care providers were forever trying to get them to utilize the handbreaks - which work somewhat similar to handbreaks on a bicycle - neither had an incident because of the non-use, but I pretty much consider that a small miracle! I, on the other hand did. I often sat on the seat of the walker as I could pull it up close to where my parent was sitting and we could talk without yelling to hear. Anyhoo - I turned and went to sit down and the damn thing rolled back and I fell flat on my well cushioned behind. Had this happen to either parent it probably would have resulted in an ER visit instead of a bruised bottom and wounded pride. So yes, while it may seem like a minor function and even a given that they could manage the breaks, it is an important consideration.
If you answered the questions on age, health problems, and I missed it forgive me. I wonder why she lacks endurance. Would physical therapy and exercise help? I belong to a gym that has senior exercise programs. There are a couple of people who can't move much but they are building up strength and endurance. One lady has a chair beside her for her oxygen tank. She keeps on trucking,,, Would something like that help your mother with her endurance. Have you talked to her physician about her lack of endurance?
Having at one time leased a spot next to a Scooter Store I know their story. Their demise was pretty quick- having about 150 federal agents heading into their Texas HQ and shutting them down wasn't a good day for them. The government didn't care for the "free" scooters they were mostly promising people. Medicare audited them and wanted close to 100 million back. Hoveround is still around- although I think they just got audited and told they need to pay many millions back (the actual amount is debatable so I suspect they will work things out). .
I'd like to give the walker option another push. As MaryKathleen said - perhaps finding a way to increase moms endurance is a good idea before purchasing a scooter or motorized chair. If it is at all possible - and moms dr should be able to advise you - increased endurance can lead to increased mobility which in all likelihood will keep mom more independent but more than that - healthy both physically and mentally longer. My mom participates irregularly in the wheelchair exercise class they hold daily at her facility. I wish she would participate more often as not only does it help her mobility, endurance and range of motion, it's gets her socializing with peers. And, unfortunately my mom now tries to get us to let her rely on wheelchair instead of her walker - almost takes an act of God to get her to walk around under her own steam - we do try to get her to wheel her own chair vs having us push her around all the time. Better than nothing, I guess.
Use a reputable DME company that also does other custom rehab equipment, look for their staff having national certification suchas RESNA, NAMES, ATP or ATS after their names. They should then hlpe you select somethng appropriate for your mom's skills, environment, terrain, and goals for enhanced mobility. Scooters are mostly lighter and more transportable, plus more maneuverable and good for people who are weak but can still get up and down a lot. Standard power chairs are heavier but can be tied down for van or speical bus transport, and can provide more trunk support and are generally a little more stable, less likely to ever tip over, though that can happen with either. The decision is very individual, or at least it should be!
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
Normally a person will go from a cane to using a walker, has she tried that? There are some really nice rolling walkers that have wheels, hand brakes [if Mom is coordinated enough to know how to use hand brakes], a basket to carry things, and a seat so she can sit down when tired. My Dad has one and he really likes using it :)
A rollator, which is a rolling walker with a seat and basket beneath, is more sturdy than a walker but it does require the ability to use a handbrake. It's also heavier than a walker and harder (at least for me) to get in a car because it doesn't completely collapse and takes up literally all the space between the front and back seats.
A scooter can be fitted into the trunk of a car, but I found that I had to take everything out of the trunk and put it in the back seat to get the scooter into the trunk. Getting it out is even harder because of the need to bend over the trunk and lean in - it puts a lot of stress on the back. The battery is heavy.
However, if you have a station wagon or SUV or vehicle with a hatchback and flat trunk, it's a lot easier to maneuver.
There is no way of telling how much electricity a battery uses without some means of specifically monitoring the output for charging it as well as how long it lasts.
I'm not sure if Medicare will pay for a scooter though; there are Hoverhound scooters which are also available; however, there was a federal crackdown on these and if I recall correctly the FBI was involved in a raid of the headquarters - I don't remember all the issues but I believe there was abuse by the company selling them in getting Medicare to pay for them. I'm not sure what the status of them is now.
The drawback with a wheelchair is that it doesn't allow the individual to use his/her legs in the same way as a walker or rollator, thus allowing the legs to atrophy (absent other exercise). The lightweight ones I've seen aren't as supportive in the seat area, but they're easier to manage simply for short transit.
Wheelchairs are not particularly comfortable; you'd likely need a gel pad or some other support for the seat as well as the back because they're no inherent padding.
Without knowing more about your mother's condition, it's hard to say which type of assistance might be the best for her. This is an issue you could ask a therapist if one is involved, or even one of her doctors.
I would recommend though that you ask an orthopedic doctor or someone who's older; one of the youngsters who we no longer see was insistent that a cane was best, but my father found a walker to be much more stable and helpful for him. The youngster doctor hadn't much experience with older folks, I think.
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