Question for DU'ers who have had a need to buy wheelchairs et al for relatives

[nadinbrzezinski]

yes, my dad fell down and broke his hip. And yes, in-spite of best wishes on his part, I KNOW my dad will NEED a wheelchair for a while. (And I love the fact that the skilled nursing facility is being careful in their approach with my mom and dad... after all dad is a tad proud but in the end will have no choice but to accept the fact that he will need a wheelchair, for the mid tern... probably on a permanent basis.)

Anyhow, I have been looking at websites, anybody has any leads they may want to share?

No, they don't have insurance... long story, but thankfully they have the money to pay for THIS emergency... but I'd still like to keep it as low as possible as the hospital and skilled nursing facility are already at one fourth of what I expect this to run... damn having an idea of costs is not a warm fuzzy right now. I found some leads today, but I am sure some of you folks, who have rowed this road, may know of places I have not found yet.

Any help will be appreciated.

Oh and Merry Christmas

[graywarrior]

1. Contact your local Center for Independent Living

Sometimes they supply donated wheelchairs.

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. thanks, had not thought of those guys

the hospital also suggested the VFW

[graywarrior]

3. The VFW sometimes gets their wheelchairs from CIL's.

Goodwill sometimes has chairs, too. I've seen some really good ones there.

[noamnety]

4. search your local craigslist

A quick search of my area turned up a wheelchair for $20. http://detroit.craigslist.org/for/506652458.html

and several others for $55-65.

electric ones with batteries look like they are running $500 and up.

[WillowTree]

5. Your county health department might have some advice, too.

Also, when my Mother broke her hip, Daddy was able to borrow a wheelchair and later a walker on a temporary basis free of charge from a local Senior Center.

[MADem]

6. I am stunned at how many wheelchairs are for sale on e-bay

I don't know how much you want to spend or what type you need, but they have a large selection...

[Hersheygirl]

25. I'll vouch for that

When my husband lost his left foot we got a wheelchair for under 120.00 on ebay, brand spanking new. It has gotten a heck of lotta use since getting it almost a year ago and it still looks like new.

[MADem]

32. I think it's a good resource, especially when you see how much some of these baaastids charge!

Did the bums ever give your husband a mechanical foot? That would have been nice, to get him back up on his pins....

[Warpy]

7. First, talk to the surgeon and the physical rehab person

The one position someone with a pinned or replaced hip cannot tolerate for any period of time is a sitting position. The hip has to be kept as straight as possible with a pillow between the knees, keeping the leg kicked slightly out to the side. This is the position in which the hip will heal best.

They will get him out of bed in a shockingly short amount of time, getting him up first with a walker, then a rolling walker, and then with a quad cane, a cane with 4 prongs on the bottom for increased stability. The whole point of a hip repair or replacement is to get the person up and mobile as quickly as possible. This alone has increased survival rates greatly.

After his hip has healed sufficiently, he might need a wheelchair for long distances, although he should be able to walk around the house with a walker or quad cane. Lucky patients and younger patients don't need any assistance at all.

In the meantime, try to assist the staff by getting him up and walking as much as he can possibly tolerate. Just use his physician and the rehab staff as your best guide in this matter, and don't be in too much of a rush to stick him into a wheel chair he'd feel more comfortable pushing than sitting in.

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. This was a nasty fracture... yes he fell "right," and we have been talking

with the staff.

The one I am looking at right now is the one they are using at the hospital, and for several reasons.

1.- My 78 year old mother can be trained ON THAT chair.

2.- They will be taking it to Mexico, since they live down there... yes, plane will carry

3.- She is the first therapist that mentioned the long distance wheelchair deal on a more permanent basis.

I already told my mom she will need help and that I should go with her. As a trained former medic it is easier for me to do any of the movements, and there is no way that my nanny (86 and partially blind) can do much, or the other helper, she is my age, but pregnant. So already told mom, once the DOCTOR tells you that you can fly back home... I am going in tourist, for as long as they need the help

My husband was great about that... former navy, I am going on deployment, at least I am not getting shot at

:-)

So yes, we need to buy the equipment. I'm taking notes and seeing what I can get.

I know what I need... and new chairs, that same model, I found it as cheap as 170... but the equipment for assistive living will run around oh 1000 new, when all is said and done. Therefore, looking at where I can cut a corner or two...

As I said, he HAD insurance, but when he hit 70 they took it away (they were insured through a Swedish company), and right now they are self-financing this. Great way to spend your vacation huh?

Oh and don't get me started on the City Paramedics and the huge no=no... written letter to medical control already.

[Warpy]

24. Tough row to hoe

I went through a lot of it with my parents. I was incredibly grateful I'd gone into nursing at that point!

I'm glad you've been talking to the docs and PT. From what you've said, it sounds more like a break in the neck of the femur distal to the trochanter than to the hip joint, itself. The positioning is completely different than for a hip fracture.

You might want to wait until you get to Mexico to get some of the assistive equipment, since it will likely be a little cheaper there than it is here. Expect him to complain vociferously about that bedside commode, but expect him to use it as soon as he gets it. At least places in Mexico run to showers instead of bathtubs, that'll make life easier. A handheld shower is a must for a parent who needs to sit for a shower. My mother whined nonstop about every bit of this stuff and then was grateful when she started using it.

Also, if they live in Mexico, see if they qualify for IMSS. Get them on it down there ASAP.

BTW, $170.00 for a specialized wheelchair is a deal. Grab it.

[nadinbrzezinski]

31. He is getting his pension through the IMSS

but they have their private doctor...

The fracture was on the acetabulum and he has a fairly large plate to stabilize it.. It is longitudinal, so he cannot bear any weight until it heals, or he risks opening it up right back up.

As I said, he fell "right."

Oh and the responding EMS crew, what backboard and what Cervical Collar? I was livid. I fought the long fight to get my medics in Tijuana to stop doing that... and stop playing doctor in the field. I felt "cheated" since I knew the damn protocols and why they should have used that damn board and was always told that idiocy like that would never be seen in the States by EMS instructors in this county....Thankfully the fracture was as stable as it could be... and there was no further damage.

I sent letter and asked Medical control not to read them the riot act, that never works, but to have an in-service on why they should NOT do that. If that prevents them from doing this AGAIN... it will be good.

But yes, as a former medic, and FTO... and instructor, I felt like screaming... but once he was packaged if I said one word... his treatment might suffer even more... Young EMTs, what can I say? Been there, done that with young crews, and I guess every generation of EMTs face this ... I know better than them docs!

[Hoof Hearted]

8. I rented one for my mom from the local Senior Center for $10/3months.

We gave them a $20 donation as well, but they didn't require it or ask for it. As a matter of fact the staff let us know more than once that if mom couln't afford the 10 bucks for three months they'd be happy to wave the fee.

Merry Christmas. Hope your dad feels better soon.

[KT2000]

9. A local store

rents the wheelchair and when it reaches the cost - you own it.
I guess that is called rent to own.

[snot]

11. you might look at craig's list, too. nt

[pop goes the weasel]

12. No medicare?

That should pay for a wheelchair if the doctor prescribes one--usually a rental. Like others have pointed out, you have to get a chair that meets the specific needs for someone with a broken hip. If you are just thinking that having a wheelchair available will be good for after his hip heels, then there are other factors to consider. Where will he be using it? Will he or your mother be the ones to have to stow it and retrieve it from the car? Is the seat wide enough? Is it actually feasible to have a wheelchair in his life, as opposed to a cane or a rolater (rolling walker with seat for resting) or a scooter? You have to think about hills, doors, carpets, upper body strength and so forth.

If your parents are both of an age where their mobility is decreasing, and you just want to be prepared in case you have to help them get to the doctor or such, buy a transport wheelchair. They fold small and rely on a strong attendant (you) to push.

Speedy healing to your dad.

[nadinbrzezinski]

13. They are from mexico visiting

He fell down two days before they were flying home... so no, not medicare

The county filed for them (needs to be done by law) with medical... but no, no medicare

[pop goes the weasel]

14. well, rats

The places to look that people have mentioned--eBay, craigslist, Goodwill and CILs--are all good. And you may be able to rent a chair if this is going to be short term. It's worth looking into.

Keep in mind that, if this isn't going to be short term use, that your parents or an aide will have to maneuver the chair without you. If you can at all afford to get a lighter, more manueverable chair, do it. It will end up saving you money and stress in the long run.

[Pastiche423]

20. Medicare may pay for a short term rental

(may being the operatble word). But they will not pay for one for long term. The last I tried to get one through Medicare, they denied me due to lack of need???? (I've been paralyzed for 21 year.)

Check out all of responses you've received on this thread, plus the classified ads under "Medical". Some people buy them for a short time use for a leg break, then afterwards do not need it.

The most important thing your dad needs is a good cushion. Skin breaks dow earier the older we get. A skin breakdown will lead to pressure sores (bedsores) which can turn bad quickly.

Good luck and I'm sending healing thoughts.

[MonkeyFunk]

15. My dad broke his hip a couple years back

only needed the wheelchair for a short time - I think the hospital rented him one, or at least they made the arrangements.

A walker is probably something worth buying, but not a wheelchair. If he knows it's going back in two weeks, he'll be more inclined to start walking on his own.

[Contrary1]

16. Where are you located?

I have an older Rascal scooter collecting dust in my shed.

[nadinbrzezinski]

26. San Diego

[KharmaTrain]

17. Several Options

Some have already been mentioned...speaking with the doctor or a friend whose had a similar situation. Another option is calling a local Hospice. It may sound "drastic", but I had a great relationship when I dealt with them and they were a wealth of information and referals. When we needed walkers and guard rails to prevent falling, they put me in contact with both the supplier and a contractor who did the work.

Best of luck to you and your family.

[mr blur]

18. I know things are different over here in the UK -

I didn't have to pay for my wheelchair, which is provided on the NHS, but don't just get anything available. It's really important that the user is "fitted" for a wheelchair by someone who knows about these things. Weight and, especially, height need to be taken into account.

Sitting for any length of time with your legs at the wrong angle because you're too tall for the chair, for example, can lead to problems that weren't there before you started using the chair!

[nadinbrzezinski]

27. It IS different with NHS

My dad asked today, what happens to folks with no insurance or money in the US?

I told him the truth, most end uo in the street.

That is the sad truth.

Thankfully they have the money to cover this emergency since his insurance dropped him over fifteen years ago.

He's a special case, since they are Mexican visiting (and surprise, surprise, medical was denied, and that didn't shock anyone)

But yes, it is VERY different with the National Health Service and on a general note this is exactly what the US needs... a NHS-like system.

Keeping notes.

[Fredda Weinberg]

19. My condolences. We were able to borrow a chair, which made more

sense. Perhaps there's a senior center nearby.

[Hekate]

21. My sibs & I saw a good deal on a mobility scooter at Costco last year

We wanted to buy it for our mom, but she passed away before we could sort it out. "Good deal" is relative, of course. It was about $900 but we were going to split it three ways.

There are other good suggestions in this thread. Look into your local resources. In my town the Visiting Nurses Association set up a durable goods loan program generations ago. My late father in law had one of those easy chairs that helps the sitter rise to their feet on loan from the VNA. They came and picked it up after he passed on.

You can also google for the Area Agency on Aging, a national network helping seniors maintain their independence.
http://www.n4a.org/
http://www.aoa.gov/eldfam/How_To_Find/Agencies/Agencies.asp

My local AAA publishes a booklet of service providers that is available for free in the Santa Barbara County public libraries. When my brother moved our mom into assisted living near him in Orange County my task was to try to find medical specialists and other services by phoning frommy own home. I discovered that Orange County AAA doesn't bother to print a booklet at all, instead putting all info online -- kind of a bummer if you don't have a computer, which is the case with so many elderly. Nonetheless, once I obtained one Orange Co. phone number, I used my local booklet as a checklist to keep asking for more phone numbers and names. See if the websites I listed above will help get you started in your own area.

I wish you the best of luck getting help for your dad. It's hard to watch your parents become frail. You are doing a good thing to help out this way. :hug:

Hekate

[nadinbrzezinski]

29. Ah, after the DMV will go tomorrow and check the public library

that was a place that had not ocurred to me.

Thanks.

And I don't expect miracles here, he is 83, she is 78... so I foresee a trip to mexico city in my near future, and not quite a touristy one.

:-)

Will have to get myself a copy of dreamweaver and put all the company stuff on this puter and leave my business things with a power of attorney for hubby for our filling of tax matters...

I should be back by April 15, but just in case.

[Hekate]

33. Well, stay in touch with us from Mexico City, m'dear

All the best. :hug:

Hekate

[Raine]

22. My father gets his from medicare

I don't believe he pays anything out his pocket for it.

[nadinbrzezinski]

30. As I said above, he is a tourist, came to visit

so medicare ain't a choice here.

Though I am getting to see the health care system close up, no insurance. Taking notes... since his situation is not that unfamiliar to oh about 48 million Americans

[fed-up]

23. I recommend "Breezie" if you have a choice-check thrift stores, ours always have w/chairs

The Breezie is light weight which is extremely important if somebody has to lift it in and out of a car while transporting the user. My mom had a breezy and I am glad it was not one of the older heavier chairs. I think it weighs about 25 or 30 pounds. I also found one used for my sis with MS years ago before medicare gave her an electric one.

Also ask for training in how to do stair transfers etc (two people is best)

A used one should run about $40. Also check garage sale ads and flea markets, estate sales, rummage sales etc. There are plenty of chairs out there and most people get them free with their insurance.

You may also want to pick up a shower bench which should run about $10-15 used (new they are over $60).

[tyedyeto]

28. Locally here, there is an organization call 'Friends in Deed'

who will help those in situations similar to your father.

Yes, this is in a 'retirement' community, but perhaps there are some orgs like this in his community.

Good luck and may he heal quickly.