Height Adjustable Kitchen Stool
Uplift Seat Assist
Savaria Telecab
GoGo Ultra Travel Scooter w/Armrests
Permobil Wheelchair Easy Comfort Lift Chair
Beasy Transfer Board
Sunrise Quickie P220 Electric Wheelchair
Rollator Voyager Walker
Invacare Rollator Walker
Pivot Disk
Winnie Light Supreme Walker
Height Adjustable Kitchen Stool
Reviewed by:
Manufacturer/Retailer: Dr. Leonard's
Cost: approx.$50
Reimbursement:
Pros:
Is height adjustable for any size person.
Cons:
I can't use it. Has rubber legs which stick to the floor, but also tips over easily when I get up. Since it sticks to the floor I can't pull it towards or away from the counter, sink or stove and can't get close enough to be helpful.
Summary:
I thought this would help me at the sink and kitchen counter. Since I can't stand up without holding on to something, cooking with 1 hand has become impossible. I thought this would free my hands. It does, but I can't get close enough for doing anything useful. In the picture, the person is sitting sideways, my hands are not good enough to do that and slice anything safely. However, this has become the favorite chair of any child who visits me.
Comments From Other Users:
Add your comments.Uplift Seat Assist
Reviewed by:
Manufacturer/Retailer:Up-Lift
Cost: approx.$80
Reimbursement:
Pros:
This is is weight adjustable so you can set it for any weight person. Helps you get off chairs.
Cons:
- NOT for short people. When in the up position, I can't get down on top of it and just slide off.
- Not very safe if your chair has no armrests.
- Doesn't fit on most of my chairs, too deep from front to back.
Summary:
Helps me get up, but I can't sit down on it. It works on my manual wheelchair and on my recliner, but I can on and off those anyway with a regular cushion. Does not work on my dining room chairs or garden chairs. I'm still trying out other chairs.
Comments From Other Users:
Add your comments.Savaria Telecab
Reviewed by:
Manufacturer/Retailer: Savaria
Cost: Expensive
Reimbursement: No insurance coverage.
Pros:
This has saved my life. It has allowed me to stay in my home, my own bedroom, and use the 2 main levels. The downstairs of my house remains equipment-free. Uses less space and is cheaper than a real elevator. It's pretty unobtrusive when it's sent to the next level.
Cons:
- You still need a lot of room for this. It is basically an enclosed lift. It needs a 3x6 or a 4x5 space and a loadbearing wall. That space is then not available for real use other than walking on it. Otherwise, you always have to remember to move chairs or whatever out of the way
- It is not especially attractive.
- I thought we had lots of options as to where to put it. The salesman made it seem as though you can put it anywhere. Not exactly. Depending on your house structure placement may be very limited.
- The pictures show this in a bedroom. DO NOT put it in your bedroom unless it's very large. You will not have room to maneuver in a wheelchair or use your other equipment without sending it down.
- It can only work on 2 levels. If you have more than 2 levels in your house, they will remain inaccessible.
Summary:
I had to do a lot of construction for this. According to the salesmen you only need to make a cutout in the ceiling and perhaps strengthen a wall. NOT. Some companies that put this in also do the construction. Others only install the lift and you have to get your own contractor for the construction. The costs of the lift itself depend on the options you choose. Since for various reasons I had to get my own contractor, he did not feel the walls of my house would hold this up properly and we also had to add joists in the basement and move a radiator.
Even though I have a large master suite, this would never have worked in my bedroom with all my equipment. I had to put it in my dining room and it goes up to a guest bedroom, which has pretty
much become unusable for guests since that's where I go in and out.
But all in all, it's wonderful.
Comments From Other Users:
Add your comments.GoGo Ultra Travel Scooter w/Armrests
Reviewed by:
Manufacturer/Retailer: Pride Mobility
Cost:
Reimbursement:
Pros:
Lightweight, easily comes apart and fits into a car, charger changes current from 110 to 220 automatically, perfect for foreign travel, seat swivels 360 degrees, battery
has a pretty long life. I bought the upgraded seat w/armrests, very comfortable. Fits through narrow bathroom doors. Can be customized in various ways.
Cons:
Not meant for constant, everyday outdoor use, because it's so lightweight it feels a bit flimsy, I go much slower in this than in my power chair because I'm a bit nervous of tipping
over. It's billed as a travel scooter and for that it's ideal. The tiller is also not as easy to use as the scooters in stores. Instead of pushing the whole tiller back and forth there is a bar under
the tiller that needs a right hand push for forward and a left hand push for backward (turning is a bit clumsy too because of the tiller) so try before you buy to check if you have enough hand
strength. Unfortunately, you need to be able to use both hands.
Summary:
I love this scooter. I can put it in a regular car, and easily get into friends homes. My husband loves it because it's so light he doesn't even take it fully apart, just lifts
off the battery and seat, folds down the tiller, and puts it in the trunk. The ALS clinic told me a year ago not to bother getting one because it would not be usable for long. I wish I had gotten this
a year ago. I've been using a manual wheelchair to go places because I did not feel like spending some $20,000 for an accessible van since I can still get in and out of a car . I was limited to public
transportation in my powerchair because no one I know has an accessible van. I can still use my hands for gross motor function and it's actually easier for me to stand up out of this scooter than from
my powerchair. Because of the swivel feature I can sit right up at a table. There might be other brands with a more comfortable tiller, but I bought this on line and had no where to try one out. If
you can transfer, have enough upper body strength to sit, and can use the tiller, it' worth a try. I got it for an amazing buy on Ebay. Since I visit my kids on the west coast, it cost me only
twice what renting it for the 2 week trip would cost. I figure it can always be resold.
Comments From Other Users:
Mary 2: I agree with this review. Before being diagnosed we decided to go ahead and buy mine. At www.spinlife.com we found this one for $795. No shipping or taxes. It was delivered in 2
days. For free it included the upgraded seat. It is surprisingly comfortable since I spend more hours on my scooter than anything else, in the daytime. We leave off the very nice arms that are
included, so it is lighter in weight when my husband pulls off the seat to put in the van.
I have 1 AFO on my right leg, and since my legs are long, I have to get on the scooter from the right side. There isn't a lot of leg room to get my AFO through to the other side, but that's no
problem. When I have to go to a wheelchair I'm going to miss the narrowness of my wonderful scooter.
Add your comments.Permobil Wheelchair
Reviewed by:
Manufacturer/Retailer: Permobile
Cost: My chair loaded was about $23,500.
Reimbursement: Medicare and secondary insurance paid $18,500. MDA paid $2,000 and we paid the remaining $3,000
Pros:
I have a Permobil Chairman Entra base with the Corpus seat and and love it, love it!! I almost let a salesman talk me into an inferior product and am so glad I listened
to PALS telling me the Permobil was the Cadillac for PALS. There are an infinite number of seating sizes and adjustments. Be sure to get properly measured and fitted no matter what chair you get.
Also be sure to get all the acceleration and speed settings adjusted to your proficiency level.
Both power tilt and recline features in the seat are desirable. The recline feature requires the back to bend at the waist. The tilt feature rotates the entire chair seat and the body is not required to bend. The tilt feature also allows the feet and legs to be easily elevated, helping to alleviate edema. The recline feature alone is not adequate for this purpose.
Power articulating elevating legs are also a requirement. Leg rests should be equipped with leg supports, usually a standard feature of all chairs.
Power Adjustable Seat Height (raising chair up and down) is not necessary, but I use mine many times a day. I can’t imagine not having. This function is not covered by Medicare but well worth the
cost. Permobil can give you four power functions on the same chair, which most other manufacturers can’t do.
Arm rests that will swing back and out of the way making seat ingress and egress easier, especially if one requires assistance in transferring. Arm rests with troughs to hold the arms in place are a
helpful feature.
A cushioned adjustable headrest is desirable. Manual adjustment of the headrest is okay.
A good cushioned seat is necessary. I like the RoHo high profile Quatro select cushion. Otherwise skin breakdown can occur.
Lateral and Thigh Supports. These are needed to stabilize you in the chair.
Transfer Handles. Another non-Medicare covered item I use many times a day and can’t imagine not having. Even now that I no longer stand to transfer, I use them to hold onto and stabilize.
Manuverabilty. I can go throughout my house with no problem and also go outdoors. I can pull into an elevator and turn easily in place. I pull into minivan, turn in place and park myself on EZ lock
in front seat area.
Ask the vendor to bring a demo chair to your home to try to be sure it will suit your needs and answer your questions. I test drove two before deciding.
Comments From Other Users:
Add your comments.
Easy Comfort Lift Chair
Reviewed by:
Manufacturer/Retailer: MegaMotion, Inc., Walmart (order through pharmacy dept.)
Cost: $500-$700 (depending on area)
Reimbursement: No
Pros:
A lift chair is a wonderful way to go from reclining to standing with no effort! The toggle-type switch is easily pushed down to go from a sitting to a full reclining position via a strong motor system; and from full
reclining to a standing position by the same switch easily pushed up. The price is right, there are a variety of fabrics and colors and the product comes with a one-year warranty.
Cons:You can't dunk the control toggle in liquid!
Summary:I love my lift chairs (I have one in my living room and one in my office) because they provide me with back and leg support without any effort on my part.
Comments From Other Users:
Add your comments.Beasy Transfer Board
Reviewed by:
Manufacturer/Retailer: Allegro Medical
Cost: $225.00
Reimbursement:
Pros:
The disk on the board allows the person to slide easily without using your body as the slider. Durable material.
Cons:
It is hard to use if you have little control to sit up on your own. Surfaces have to be even. You need some padding on your bottom or else it hurts to sit on it.
Summary:
We could not use this. I am all bone. None of our surfaces are level. My wheelchair has an unmovable bar so that the board could not set on the seat.
Comments From Other Users:
Add your comments.Sunrise Quickie P220 Electric Wheelchair
Reviewed by:
Manufacturer/Retailer: Sunrise Medical
Cost: Mine was around $5700.00
Reimbursement:
Pros:
I am able to go over curbs, rough terrain, with stability. I have tilt in space so I can adjust my seating and take pressure off. It has good speed. I am able to make tight turns. Have antitip wheels. I have changed my seating, my back and my leg rests for more comfort as i needed it. It can be manualy adjusted for more recline and comfort.
Cons:
I do not have electric leg rests. I do not have the option to raise my seat. It does not flatten out like the Permobile.
Summary:
This is a good solid chair. Allows a person to be independent for mobility. I can sit in mine with my ROHO Quandrant cushion for over 12 hours a day. I can nap in it. Has a 2 year warranty on parts.
Comments From Other Users:
Add your comments.Rollator Voyager by Nova 4600
Reviewed by:
Manufacturer/Retailer: Nova/Health Fitness Store.
Cost: $262.99
Reimbursement:
Pros:
I love this Rollator. It is a steel frame but exceptionally light at 16 lbs. I also like that it has a seat, basket and tray. You will use it for a convenient rolling side table with the tray even after you no longer use it to walk.
Cons:
Summary:
Comments From Other Users:
Add your comments.Invacare Rollator Walker
Reviewed by: Sherry
Manufacturer/Retailer: PHC
Cost: $219.95
Reimbursement:
Pros:
Has hand brakes. Has a seat for sitting. Has a basket for carrying things. Has a tray for carrying food. Solid. Goes over rough terrain. Quite stable. Hard to tip. Goes through household doorways.
Cons:
It is on the heavy side if you are going to be lifting it. I tipped it over twice when I turned too fast and lost my balance.
Summary:
This is a solid piece of equipment. Great to always have a seat to sit down no matter where you are. I used mine for over two years. It really helped me to be mobile and independent.
Comments From Other Users:
Add your comments.Pivot Disk
Reviewed by:
Manufacturer/Retailer: CareAids
Cost: $75.95
Reimbursement:
Pros:
This is an excellent aid for someone who has some leg strength but weak ankles. It makes transferring so much easier.
Cons:
I think it's a bit expensive, but it's worth it.
Summary:This is a very handy device for transferring a person with some leg strength.
Comments From Other Users:
Sherry: I have the pivot disc too and it has been a life saver for us. It has kept me on my feet instead of a hoyer lift. Works on carpet. Light. I got it from Allegro Medical for $59.00
Winnie Light Supreme 3 Wheel Walker
