My husband is getting more and more unsteady on his feet. He no longer wants to take short walks. Has anyone used a wheel chair? I’d like to get him out and about more without fear of falls.
SueBee, I used a “transport chair” (light duty wheel chair) for my wife for about two years (she is now bed bound). I found the chair to be extremely helpful when we needed to go to one of her doctors. The chair eliminated the risk of her falling in a public area.
The one area of difficulty we had was getting her to stand next to the open passenger door and step up into the car. Many times she could not think of the actions she needed to take to get into the car. It often took 1/2 hour before she could get into the car.
Getting her out of the car was not difficult. Getting her into and out of the chair was not difficult.
I built a simple wooden ramp to go from the kitchen doorway down to the garage floor, a vertical drop of about 18 inches. I was easily able to wheel her up and down that ramp.
I rented a wheelchair for my wife. A walker works but has to be used correctly. My wife doesn't and took a major " face plant, Emt, ambulance to ER" fall. Gets expensive. Walker is light and easy to store in car. Rented wheel chair better way to get her out, to many stores, doctors with less risk and faster. But at 40 lbs, hard to put I car.
I ordered a Featherlight. Cost about $600, but at less than 20 lbs, easy to pop Into cars. Lots of extra features. Not sure if insurance will cover but that's what my doc prescribed. Worth it either way.
Sue, yes, using a transport chair on the sidewalkor street should be fine. Here is an ad (3 years old) for the chair I got for my wife. I suspect that the price will be more.
Thank you all so much for your responses. Means so much to have you to turn to. God bless and Happy Thanksgiving to all. 🤗
We use a transport chair like the one Robert showed in the image. Johnny used a walker for a couple of years but right now we use the wheelchair in the house as he is too unsteady on his feet most of the time. I'm glad he is still able to transfer himself from recliner to the wheelchair.