hboyajian
Distinguished member
- Joined
- Oct 31, 2006
- Messages
- 267
- Reason
- Lost a loved one
- Country
- US
- State
- Washington
- City
- Vashon
My dad has been using a wheeled walker for about two years, but he is likely to need a wheelchair sometime in the near future. I took him in to try some out, and it seems he will need many of the so-called optional features, like recline (not just tilt), special cushions, and a curved headpiece that will keep his head from flopping around. He may also need the computer screen on a swing arm that can be positioned so he can see the functions easily to control the chair. He was disturbed at the mounting price with all these options, and is worried that medicare might not pay for them. Does anyone have some experience with this or some advice about what options are really helpful? We were also told that the wheelchair would not be approved by insurance until he needed it to get around inside the house (even though now he can't walk more than a quarter of a block without sitting down to rest), that not getting around in the outside world doesn't count. The problem is, it may take some time to actually get the chair when he really needs it inside too. Has anyone been approved for a chair before it got to that critical point? How did you go about it. Also, any advise about types or brands of chairs is appreciated Thanks.