Jane, Thank you so much.  Just what I needed.
Sharon Starr, Daughter and CG for Rae  75/50/45  (age now/age dx/age first
symptoms)
[log in to unmask]    Florence, AZ


-----Original Message-----
From: Jane Koenig <[log in to unmask]>
To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Tuesday, November 24, 1998 12:12 PM
Subject: Update on Electric Mobility Vehicles


>Hi Listfolk,
>
>A couple months ago I asked for advice on getting a scooter for my Dad.
>Thanks to all who responded then!  I thought you might like to hear what we
>ended up with.
>
>I talked to a couple of local (north Atlanta) medical supply firms and
>ended up working with Core Medical.  They were recommended by the
>independent living facility where Dad lives (Mount Vernon Towers) and,
>since the complex has rather strict rules about electric mobility vehicles,
>I felt it would be wise to go with the flow.
>
>Both the head nurse at Mount Vernon Towers and the representative from Core
>Medical (an RN) suggested that Dad get a powerchair rather than a scooter.
>A powerchair is an electric wheel chair gussied up to look less like a
>wheel chair and also to work better on rough terrain--outdoors, going over
>bumps, etc.  They put a special seat and back on Dad's chair.  The standard
>is a "captain's chair", but he has a contoured back that can be adjusted in
>several ways, both for his comfort and to correct for his slump.  Sitting
>in a straight backed chair, Dad is so bent over that he looks at the floor
>or his lap and looking straight ahead is a strain.  This is NOT a good
>situation when "driving" the powerchair!  The adjustable back puts him in a
>position to see where he's going much better.
>
>The chair is controlled by a joystick, really a sort of large rubber
>nipple, on the arm.  This can be put on either side--good for Dad since his
>right arm doesn't work.  Scooters are more like a bicycle, with two handed
>controls on a rod at the head of the scooter.  It stops just by taking
>pressure off the joystick, so there's no need for a separate braking
>device.  It is more manueverable than a scooter.  Turns in a circle without
>moving sideways even a hair!
>
>The chair is programmable so that speed, torque, acceleration and stopping
>time can be adjusted to suit the driver and the conditions.  It is fitted
>with two batteries and will go quite a ways without recharging (sorry, I've
>forgotten the details).  It comes with a battery charger.  Plugging it in
>overnight assures a good charge for the next day's tooling around.  I was
>trained on how to take apart and reassemble the chair so it can travel.
>The big problem I have is that the base chair, even without the batteries,
>weighs 80 lbs.  While I could fit it all in the trunk of my car, I am
>unwilling to try lifting it in and out.
>
>If you've stayed with me this long, here's an important factor in choosing
>between a scooter and a powerchair.  80% of the cost of Dad's chair (almost
>$6,000) is being covered by Medicare.  They are much more likely to pay for
>a powerchair than for a scooter.  The premise is that scooters are used
>OUTSIDE the home, while a powerchair (read wheel chair) is used inside.
>They will cover the cost for someone who needs an electric mobility vehicle
>for daily living inside the home.  If it is only needed to go out, they
>figure the person can just stay home.
>
>This has been our experience so far.  Dad's getting used to the chair and
>prepared for the "driving test" required by Mount Vernon Towers.  So far he
>is not using it inside the apartment (don't tell Medicare!) but it gives
>him more freedom to get around in the complex...to the mailboxes, laundry
>room, meetings, etc.  If we have any more great insights as he uses it
>more, I'll pass them on.
>
>Jane Koenig (from Jawjah)
>daughter of Fred (80/1-ish)
>