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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) >