I'm getting shakier and shakier on my walkers. So Carolyn and I decided that after all the helpful information we had received from family members, friends, and salesmen, it was time to actually try out some equipment to see if I would feel more safe from falling and more capable of geetting around both in and out of the house. We're still not ready to make a commitment of several thousand dollars without more information. Fortunately, we found a friendly, knowledgeable, helpful medical supply store that was willing to help us find the power chair we thought would fit best and then rent it to us for a month. If we decide we like it, they apply the rental to the purchase price.
We got a 6 foot ramp to load and unload the chair from our van. It looks like the Highlander SUV is just too high to comfortable load with a ramp. They do have lifts which may be our solution.
It's going to take some practice to feel comfortable wheeling this machine up or down this narrow ramp. But then again it's going to take some time to learn to drive around the house without knocking the place down.
Looks like you found a good way to try things out! I like your "student driver" sign. It won't take long to get pretty good with the new equipment, but you will still run into things occasionally. Allyn says I am "antiquing the house." Removing doors (and the mouldings in the doorway) and replacing them with curtains helps. If you don't want to remove the doors, placing a kickplate on the lower area helps (even with the door open all the time, the corner of the chair seems to run into the bottom of the door). Have fun moving around more places!
ReplyDeleteMarilyn