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Power Wheelchairs

Crescent
0 Recommendations

I am researching power chairs and am interested in make, models and functions that others have with their chairs. I will need one that can tilt and recline and would like the elevation feature as well. Seats and different cushion materials may also be a consideration. I would also like any tips on how to handle this with Medicare as I hear the process can be time consuming. Reliability is very important as well.

Pride Mobility is the only chair I have found to have all the bells and whistles so far.

Any advice fellow PALS or care givers?

Explore topics in this discussion:

ALS Physical therapy

13 replies

msgar1ginny

Hello, I can't help with this but the lwals@yahoo is full of PALS and CALS that can help. You must be careful and get the right one for you. These amazing people are very helpfu--they've "been there done that". Also check your local ALS Loan Closet. Hugs, Ginny

GaryJensen

I'm sure there are lots of good models out there. I just recently qualified for a power wheel chair and I worked with the ALS clinic at Virginia Mason in Seattle to get a referral in my home town. They have lots of experience and I have been pleased so far with the care and precision of the technician who came to my home to take measurements. His main supplier is InvaCare, but in my case he said my best fit would be a Quantum 600 unit. I'm looking forward to it.

debre

One thing I would probably do differently when ordering my Dad's wheelchair would be to order a one piece foot rest instead of the two separate ones. His condition is very advanced now, but he still likes to be taken out in his chair. We are having trouble keeping his feet straight on the foot rests. His feet slip off and go into the gap between the two. Straps do not look very comfortable since his legs must be forced into a straight position to use the individual rests. The only disadvantage I can see to a one piece is that you would not have an option of elevating one leg only, but for him that would not have been an issue.

Otherwise he has a very nice chair with all the bells and whistles. It was discontinued however and they are trying to locate a used piece to modify it. HIs seat is wonderful for him, though. He has a high back recliningg seat and I was able to find a car seat cover at an auto supply store that fits perfectly which has preserved the seat nicely.

If you have found someone to help you get the appropriate chair, take full advantage of that and get everything you may need.

pjf

I think my husband has the same requirements you do & has a portable ventilator. We ordered the Permobil with a seat that will elevate 8" . It is made in Sweden & other PALS spoke well of this brand. We are right up to date on requirements: 1. Your Dr. must do a "Mobility evaluation" on a Physician's Power Mobility Equipment Evaluation & Order Form.. The mobility evaluation must also be reflected in his notes. 2. Dr. must supply two prescriptions: (1) power wheelchair (2) physical therapy eval for power wheelchair . 3. A PT must work with the seating specialist to take the measurements, determine needs etc. The PT usually writes the letter to Medicare & Medicare MUST respond within 30 days. The chair is ordered and delivery is in 2-3 weeks. The PT evaluation is generally scheduled through an ALS/MD clinic & they usually work with a specific vendor. Medicare pays for all but the options i.e. extension seat. We are excited about the chair & think it will make quite a difference. Good luck.

pigiron308

Hello Crescent,


I have a Permobil wheelchair. My dealer is not the best but the Permobil people are super. Although I will probably receive some grief over this—I think that Permobil is the best wheelchair available. This is basically a one shot deal so get what you think that you will need. Some items can be added later but it will be a number of years before Medicare will spring for another wheelchair. For the main joystick controller I prefer the “softball” knob. There is a variety of them available so have the dealer show you all of the options and your mother can select the one that gives him the best control. They are surprisingly expensive, the initial one comes with the chair--you won’t want to fill your closet with different styles. There is a sip and puff mouth control option as well as a head control array. Get flat-free tires, an elevating seat (particularly handy for doctor, dentist, and hospital visits), the fully functional seat, i.e. tilt, recline, etc, power leg and feet elevation, lateral supports, thigh restraint pads, a rear attendant control (particularly if your husband has limited arm movement), and make sure that it is programmed to go in the direction that the joystick moves. There are other attendant controller options instead of the joystick but I have no experience with them. I can get you additional information on those controllers, if you wish. A computer tray might be in order if your mom uses a computer. They are rather expensive so some people make their own. Permobil also has a retractable pin that connects with the E-Z Lock system. I am not an E-Z Lock user although I have one. I feel more secure with a four-point tie down. The four-point system is more complicated to hookup but I feel much safer. If your mom is still able to drive the E-Z Lock would be very handy.

I have been on a ventilator for 7 years due to ALS.

Be well,

Jim AKA- pigiron308@yahoo.com

P.S. I would also contact MDA and see if they will give you fanatical assistance buying the wheelchair. I can get you information on your nearest MDA office but I need to know what city that you are in or close to.
My brother lives in Slidel LA.

papadun

I have a Permobile C 300. I tried to get the model C 400 which stands you up. They said if my job required me to reach up to do anything then I would be eligible for that model . I have the foot elevations. I have the tilt feature. I have the elevated seat feature which raises me from 4'6" to 5'2". I use this feature quite a bit so I am level with people while I am talking and not stretching my neck looking upward. I do not have function of my hands and arms so I have arm troughs which hold my arms and at the end of the troughs there is a wide area for my hands and fingers to spread out. This is probably the best feature of the chair for me. I tried the chin toggle and it worked very well. I had a few problems with it though. I do a lot of work on the computer and I utilize a head mouse which was very cumbersome with the chin toggle quite often as I was moving my head around to move the cursor and would hit the chin toggle. This is because I could not move the chin toggle out of the way by myself, I always needed someone to do that for me. It was also a problem while I was traveling in the van. The chin toggle arm was mounted on the right side chair, they said they could not mount it on the left side, and you could not swing it out-of-the-way once you lock your chair into the van. My chin hit the chin toggle on every bump. I now have a head array which solves both of my problems, although it is a little bit more difficult to control. I use my chair all day long and I have a ROHO air cushion. I went through the VA for my chair so I cannot help you with the Medicare portion.

cheryilyn

I have t.he permobile 300 with a roho air cushion. I didn.t pay a dime. Medicare covered everything except the elevation feature and MDA kicked in for that. My ALS clinic handled everything. I have had it for 7 months and have been very pleased.

pipeline1

hi,
i'm going with my husband next week for wheelchair eval. do you still like your permobile? is your neck comfortable? my husband has a loaner quantum and neck is not comfortable.

thanks for your help.
maryann

greensmile

hi :)
i have an invacare with a shelf for my vent(been on the vent now 13 1/2 years and going strong) i use a roho cusion,and all measurement were done by my p.t.
a have a recline option,and the power chair basically progresses with my progression of a.l.s.invacare are also great people and their service is superb. best of luck.never ever give up hope,keep the faith,and keep smiling.(a=always;l=laughing;s=smiling) :) :) :)

wilcra

I am in the process of ordering a Permobil C-300 Corpus from ATG Rehab in MA. Its taken 4 weeks since my evaluation on March 9 to get a in-home demo and a bill. The bill is about $14,000 more than what I thought we were initially talking about at the evaluation and totals to over $36,000. My cost after Medicare and $2000 from MDA are $6000 which is double what I expected.
Q1- Does anyone know of a second source of funding like MDA?
Q2- Do these prices seem normal? I have yet to find a Permobil anywhere near this expensive on the net.
Thanks for any input

boblandstar

Anterior Tilt System and Elevate are essential in the later stages of ALS. It has been invaluable in standing up and for transfers. Plan your wheelchair needs for the late stages of ALS.
This company is owned by Invacare. GREAT PRODUCTS. http://www.motionconcepts.com/power_positioning.html

boblandstar

Choosing a power wheelchair
Choosing a wheelchair is a major decision. Making the right choices is essential in determining your long term happiness with your chair as well as factors like comfort,maneuverability,dependability and long term usefulness. In my experience most prosthetic people are not educated about the needs of ALS patients.

I have been fortunate in that the V.A. has updated my chair as needed (total cost around $40,000) but if I could do it over I would have ordered the RIGHT chair on the first try.

I have an Invacare Storm TDX3. It was initially ordered with tilt and recline. The gel seat pads proved to be very uncomfortable. As it became more difficult to stand the low seat height made it much harder to get out of the chair unassisted.

Here are my recommendations:

Get a mid wheel drive. It is much easier to maneuver in tight spaces like a van. Or tight doorways.

I prefer a molded seating system with good lumbar support.

Arm troughs will be needed as arms become weaker.

Get a fully adjustable headrest. The wrap around type makes it more comfortable to nap.

Order a vent tray and store it until needed.

Power footrests aid in comfort and toileting.

Tilt and recline allows you to shift pressure points for more comfort. It can also lower your overall height for low van door openings.

Most chairs will only operate in slow mode if it is at more than a 6% tilt/recline or is elevated. Any good dealer can disable this safety feature for a more comfortable ride or for easier loading through low van openings.

Anterior Tilt System and Elevate are essential in the later stages of ALS. It has been an invaluable aid in standing and for transfers. Plan your wheelchair needs for the late stages of ALS.

Plan your electronics to accommodate an alternate control system such as sip/puff or an ASL head array.


IMAGES HERE: http://boblandstar.myphotoalbum.com/view_album.php


Hope this helps someone.

Regards


THERE IS NEVER TIME TO DO IT RIGHT, BUT THERE IS ALWAYS TIME TO DO IT OVER.

Suzycares

Check out this article from the recent PVA (paralyzed vets) magazine. It gives some good information on power chairs, but the best person to help you figure out exactly what you need is a physical therapist who is familiar with your condition. Remember, you only get one chair every five years with Medicare, so get the "Cadillac" not the "Kia"!

Here's the link: http://www.pvamagazines.com/pnnews/magazine/article.php?art=2781

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