Paying for wheelchair for parent

[Anonymous]

Would Medicare help pay for a wheelchair in this case? Parent is not yet on Medicaid, but has Medicare and also private health insurance. I need to acquire a wheelchair for long-term use (getting him to and from appointments on transportation and transferring him places, as he can no longer really walk, even with a walker). Thanks to all who can offer advice!

[Anonymous]

The thrift stores have wheel chairs that are really decent!

[Anonymous]

They might pay for one, chances are it will be heavy and cumbersome. If you can afford your own this is one area it pays to just buy the better chair that you can actually move. Keep him mobile as long as possible, even if the Walker is hard use it whenever you can. I know that’s not always the case but encourage him to walk on the good days. Even a cane can be a huge help. We use variations of cane, Walker, rollator, and wheelchair. You might also look into a hospital bed of mobility is quickly declining. If this isn’t a long term situation you can often rent medical equipment. Think ahead to what you’ll need next- if you get a wheelchair will you need a transfer chair for the shower? What about handicap accessible toilets? Bars next to toilet for grabbing. Bedside toilet?

[Anonymous]

Yes, Medicare will pay but here is the deal, as I understand it from going through it with my parents.

They only pay for a new one every five years. Or something like that.

And it sounds like all you really need is a transport chair right?

Those are pretty cheap.

If he needs a chair to sit on for greater parts of the day in the house, it needs to be better. And is more expensive. So maybe waits till he need that.

AND BE CAREFUL REPLYING ON WHEELCHAIRS AND OTHER MOBILITY DEVICES. They can actually be disabling if it means the patient isn't getting enough exercise. Keep moving.

[Anonymous]

https://shophomemed.com/products/lightweight-transport-wheelchair?variant=41359208120456&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PLA&scid=scbplp41359208120456&sc_intid=41359208120456&msclkid=ce673bbe7aa416f0449c5dd793204881

If he’s under 300lb

[Anonymous]

As PP’s have suggested, one important factor in a chair for appointments is weight. Regular wheelchairs are heavy and unwieldy. If you’re going to be schlumping it into the car and schlepping it here and there, lighter is better.

[Anonymous]

You need a prescription for the chair you need and a Letter of Medical Necessity. Then you need to work with a Medicaid-approved vendor who will fit your father for that type of chair. If all you are looking for is a lightweight, foldable wheelchair that you can throw in the trunk and take out at doctors' appointments, the previous posters are correct that you are much better of buying something at a thrift store or a place like Rodman's. If you want a padded chair that your dad can sit in and eat in, go the Medicaid route.

[Anonymous]

OP here - thank you, everyone! So helpful and lots to think about.

[Anonymous]

There are also nonprofits that have wheelchairs to lend - even long term. Is your father local? If so we might have some suggestions.

[Anonymous]

When I was searching for a wheelchair for my father, someone recommended I look for one that was light weight. Getting the wheelchair in and out of the trunk of the car would have been a challenge if I had gotten a heavy chair.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I was searching for a wheelchair for my father, someone recommended I look for one that was light weight. Getting the wheelchair in and out of the trunk of the car would have been a challenge if I had gotten a heavy chair.

This. I got a lightweight transport chair from Walmart.com for my dad. It weighs 14 lbs. You do not want a chair that weights like 30 or more lbs. It was maybe $120?

This being said, a transport chair has small wheels and it was fine for getting him into dr offices, ect. but not for long distances. I used it at Disneyworld and, although he only weighed about 130 at the time, it about did me in pushing it (it was his last time ever to Disney and I'm so grateful for the memory even though it was exhausting!)

[Anonymous]

OP again—yes, my dad is local. Ideally, the chair would be lightweight, yet not flimsy; easy for me to push, but also he could shuffle around his apartment in it.

[Anonymous]

If in DC:
https://iona.org/programs/loan-closet/

Maryland:
https://aging.maryland.gov/pages/DME.aspx

[Anonymous]

Yes, they will. Get a prescription from a doctor and order it from a medical supply company.

[Anonymous]

Just bought a transport chair on Amazon for $105. Works great, reasonably comfortable.