Anybody got experience of applying for a wheelchair? Do they assess you at home? Do you have to pay?

Geegeenumber1

has anybody got experience of applying for a wheelchair? Do they have to assess you at home ? Or is it done remotely?

Do you have to pay?

janer1967

Hi there 

It all depends on circumstances they do assess you can be at home or at their centre 

You don't pay if you have a NHS provided chair  
which is what the assessment is for 

You need referral to wheelchair services from your gp I don't think you can self refer 

Expect long wait in some cases I am waiting since April for reassessment for a new chair 

Geegeenumber1

is yours motorised is it easy to use or does someone push you

i just looked on red cross and says 17.50 per week to hire one

i want an assessnent but cant be at home

janer1967

I have a manual one supplied by NHS they only issue power chairs if you meet certain criteria eg can't use a manual round the house 

I do have a power chair I was given very easy to use I also have a mobility scooter 

Manual are OK round house but not easy outside unless someone can push you around 

Get referred to wheelchair services as first action and see what they recommend 

I'm not being rude but saw your other post about weight you may need a wider or stronger chair than the standard one 

Wheelchair services take all your measurements and look at what use you want from chair 

Other option is to visit a mobility shop to try some out if you get enhanced pip mobility you can get one on the motability scheme or if not fund one yourself 

zebragal

I had a assessment with my local Wheelchair services, Just be warned that the criteria can be strict, I was eligible but still refused any support due to home not being accessible. Sometimes they might want to do a environmental assessment, to measure around the home to make sure it is suitable for the wheelchair. 

But you should be able to have the main assessment in their building. That is where i had my assessment in where at their building where they are located. But first step would be to get a referral from your GP 

Are you needing the wheelchair for indoors or outdoors, or both? 

Other options are also trying local mobility shops or specialists who can also assess you and your needs 

Geegeenumber1

hi @zebragal
i have been referred by GP
I tried a manual wheelchair from Red Cross which I could not move myself and my mum could barely push so I am hoping to get a motorised scooter
I am applying for a grant towards it but probably wont get that and I doubt il get one from the NHS so I will have to pay myself but it will be worth it as I am not getting out at all except in taxis and has been this way 2 years
I do not have room for an indoor wheelchair unless I move to a 2 bedroom bigger place which Im hoping to do 
Hopefully something will work out even if I have to pay myself it will be worth it to improve my quality of life

Geegeenumber1

motorised scooter or wheelchair
seen a decent looking scooter for about £700 but of course gonna see if can get any help before I pay myself 
the citizens advice are helping with the grant referral 

zebragal

I would say unfortunally going down the grants route is your best bet, as i know wheelchair services can be different everywhere, but they generally only give electric wheelchairs to people who have accessible homes and also need in the home. Yes the red cross ones are not suitable really, they are too bulky and heavy and often can cause more issues, they are not designed for long term use. 

I had to fundraise for mine, and use go fund me. I have a active manual wheelchair which is amazing, even if it cost me £1,700. But has given me so much freedom and can go out for so much longer and be able to self propel for 99% time now, as i tried a normal manual wheelchair before which was a normal shop brought one and was so hard to use, the active custom made ones really make all the difference 

Geegeenumber1

hi

Fundraising sounds good but not really something i have the time to invest in doing right now
I dont really mind paying although its hard coming up with the money as im having gastric surgery too next month its all coming at once but i saved hard. 
It will be worth it like you say to have improved quality of life
i didnt imagine i could get on with a manual wheelchair after the red cross disaster i literally had it one day and retrned it but had paid delivery 
im heavy as well so its not easy wheeling self or being wheeled about 
its great that you have got a fantaastic chair! I bet its been life changing
nothing will happen yet because i dont have my citizens advice appt for couple of weeks or more everything is slow but it will be amazing when get it 
been waiting for a mobility car for a year as well so its just one big waiting game!

Geegeenumber1

well im still waiting for an nhs wellchair but luckily have secured a charity grant towards a lovely mobility scooter which im ordering this week

https://www.careco.co.uk/item-s-ms01080/valour-breast-cancer-awareness-scooter/

has anybody got a scooter? What are they like? Are they easy to drive?

The wheelchair I tried was manual and I couldnt steer it and my mum couldnt push it (my excess weight didnt help) so I'm hoping this will be a better experience

Ross_Alumni

Hopefully the mobility scooter arrives promptly and you enjoy using it @Geegeenumber1  

Geegeenumber1

thanks - not ordered yet

ciitizens advice bureau said i should apply for extra help for the remaining cost just in case


hopefully iin next few weeks

janer1967

Mobility scooter are good for getting out apart from the size of them is awkward in some places eg small shops , toilets , etc 

But if you can stand or walk short distance it isn't as bad 

Don't hold out much hope for NHS wheelchair they are very basic and strict rules for any type of electric chair 

I was referred to wheelchair services in April and still waiting for assessment which I did chase up but still on the list I have a NHS chair that is 4 years old and on its last bit of life as I use it all time 

Geegeenumber1

is your chair electric?

Yeah I can walk in and out of toilets etc 

will be nice to get out in the fresh air reguilarly

janer1967

My NHS chair is manual but I have an electric one and a scooter which I was given both from family and bf 

I think the criteria is that if you can use a manual inside that's all you get but I'm not sure . 

I was issued mine while in hospital after my amputation and wasn't given a choice 

Geegeenumber1

I don't use anything inside don't have space need it for outside 

zebragal

Geegeenumber1 said:

well im still waiting for an nhs wellchair but luckily have secured a charity grant towards a lovely mobility scooter which im ordering this week

https://www.careco.co.uk/item-s-ms01080/valour-breast-cancer-awareness-scooter/

has anybody got a scooter? What are they like? Are they easy to drive?

The wheelchair I tried was manual and I couldnt steer it and my mum couldnt push it (my excess weight didnt help) so I'm hoping this will be a better experience

Hi

Which charity did you use for grant. As I needing help with mobility equipment but struggled to find anyone that will help and applications been a nightmare 

Tori_Scope

Hi @zebragal I'm not sure of any specific grants, so I hope that you'll get a reply soon. In the meantime, you might like to use Turn2Us' grant finder tool to see if you can find anything available to you.