Wheelchairs and Scooters

There are a large number of mobility aids available, including walking sticks and walkers that may help getting around in the home. Even well-placed handrails around the walls can assist greatly.

For many wheelchairs are most helpful outside of the home, to cover longer distances and crossing rougher terrain. If you are moving to wheelchair use look upon it as a way of taking back some freedom of movement and getting (or keeping) out and about. Many people are reluctant to use a wheelchair, feeling that they are ‘giving up’ – you are not! The wheelchair has many positive benefits, not least in helping you get out and about and be more mobile.  You might feel safer, and be in less pain in a nice comfortable wheelchair.

Wheelchairs are available through the NHS (not social services), but you will need to be assessed by an OT or a physiotherapist, either at your home, in hospital or at your local NHS (England) wheelchair service.

You will be helped to decide on the right chair for you by the wheelchair service. If you need a more expensive chair than offered, and the therapist agrees, you may be able to get a voucher to pay the difference (only available in England).

Budget issues often mean you will be offered the cheapest wheelchair suitable, however, the assessors should take into consideration all circumstances. For example if the user or the ‘carer’ also has weakness and so difficulty lifting a heavier chair into the car, and/or the user also has weakness in the arms and thus weight would affect independent use, then a lighter one should be considered.