My wife, who has Alzheimer's and Parkinson's has nearly lost her ability to walk without her rollator and I find it very difficult to push the rollator. So, I'm looking for wheelchair advice. She is still mentally with it enough to get around our retirement community without me, so I am leaning towards getting a motorized wheelchair. But I'm thinking that might be too heavy and bulky to put in the car, so I'm also considering getting a manual wheelchair for taking with us on the go. If anyone… read more
My mom had a manual wheelchair that she would use like a rollator. Convenient when she got tired and was easier to push.
I purchased a Drive Transport chair for my husband. Due to severe back pain he cannot walk very far. It has worked well as long as I am on pretty level ground, it is perfect for stores etc. but even a slight incline I have difficulty pushing him as he is 200 lbs.
My mom is 91 and has arthritis on her left knee along with her lost of true depth perception probably due Alzheimers. I use a “travel” wheelchair. They are much lighter and easier to Lyft in and out of the trunk of my car. It folds easily and you can remove and put back on the feet rest for smaller trunk spaces. The seat is not padded so if you’re using it for long hauls you can buy a padding for your wife to feel some extra soft comfort.
What should someone look for when choosing between a motorized and a manual wheelchair for a loved one with Alzheimer's?
Your thinking about having both types is really practical — a "two wheelchair" approach is something many caregivers land on. Here's a breakdown of what to consider for each: Motorized (Power) Wheelchair Show Full Answer