Power wheelchairs

[Jackie R]

My husband really needs a power wheelchair but this request has been refused by wheelchair services. Do most people buy their own?

[Mary C]

Hi, I was assessed by my OT as needing a powered chair.However it took 5 months to arrive maybe due to covid times from wheelchair services .No charge.

Did wheelchair services offer a reason for refusal ?
Best wishes
Mary

[Mary C]

A further thought..There are a variety of models of powered chairs so don’t rush into buying one as it may end up not being suitable.
How does your husband mobilise now?
Best wishes
Mary

[Bowler]

Hi Jackie. First thing I would say is talk with your OT to understand why you have been refused. Then working together you might appeal the decision.

We did buy our own because the service can take up to 6 months which wasn’t acceptable to us. It doesn’t have to cost £000’s there are loads of second hand ones available at a fraction of the price e.g. I sold ours for £200. What is important is getting the correct chair and for this you need input from your OT.

Have you tried contacting the connect team to see if they can help.

[LindaB]

Jackie R I agree with others there must be a justification for refusing.

[richard]

Why oh why do we have to battle with this horrible disease AND the DWP or GP’s for PIP, wheelchair services for chairs, local authorities for assistance? Isn’t the disease itself enough?

Richard

[Suefromwakey]

Jackie don't just buy a chair, It took quite a few months for Albert's to arrive after a very thorough assessment, plus he had to have a "Road Test" bit like a driving test probably all took 8 months,

Wheelchair services gave him a manual chair to be going on with which, me pushing it, promptly affected my wrist - he's a heavy bloke,

He was measured up for the power chair every which way, had to have the foot rests adjusted, longer/wider seat, higher backrest, longer seat belt bla bla - so don't just get anything that's for sale as it might not be properly suitable,

I have to ride it quite a bit getting it from one place to another in the house and I know for sure it wouldn't be right for me - you need to press for one and surely they are obliged to say why they refused it?

We took a WAV taxi the other day (first time) and he was able to visit the dentist first time for two and half years, he cannot get out of the wheelchair without a hoist, but because of the really good posture tilting it does the dentist worked on him sat in the wheelchair in the normal manner, he was well impressed!

Cant remember how wheelchair services came into our lives perhaps it was via the OT?

Sue

[matthew55]

I was told that I couldn't have a power chair in my current accommodation. But as soon as I am in suitable I will get one quite quickly. 😉😁🤗😍xx

[Lynne K]

My husband really needs a power wheelchair but this request has been refused by wheelchair services. Do most people buy their own?

Jackie, I’d complain about the wheelchair service refusing a powered wheelchair. They do have strict criteria though. I was told that they wouldn’t give one if you only needed one for outdoors. I know that this is ridiculous in our situations but we can’t change that. If your husband needs a powered wheelchair inside then contact wheelchair services again or better still ask your husbands OT to contact them. I wouldn’t buy one because they are dreadfully expensive and our needs change over time so any money that you spent could be wasted and you’ve have to get rid of an unsuitable chair yourself. Good luck xx

[matthew55]

It's another post code thing as I was told that as I couldn't get one into my home I couldn't have one.

[Mary C]

matthew55
I was told that I couldn’t have a powered chair for outdoor use only too….so that’s probably the criteria in your area Matthew. My powered chair was given to me as used indoors and outdoors.
Best wishes
Mary

[Ellie]

My husband really needs a power wheelchair but this request has been refused by wheelchair services. Do most people buy their own?

A warm welcome to the Forum Jackie.

Like other people, I'm interested as to the why your husband was refused a powerchair.

To answer your question: no, "most people" who need a powerchair do not buy one, they are supplied with a chair appropriate to their overall needs.

Love Ellie.

[richard]

"He had to have a "Road Test" bit like a driving test probably all took 8 months"

Goodness me Sue if Albert's chair is that slow that it takes 8 months , I would change the batteries

Sorry Sue please excuse my poor humour.

Richard

[Suefromwakey]

Ha very funny Richard - funny init when you read stuff back and think that was poorly put!!

cheers