Overview
Choosing the right wheelchair or mobility device depends on your needs, abilities, and available funding options. This guide explains manual and powered wheelchairs, mobility scooters, NHS assessments, personal wheelchair budgets, and grants. It helps users understand eligibility, key features, and practical considerations when selecting the most suitable mobility support.
Introduction
There are different types of wheelchairs available to you, and these include manual wheelchairs, powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters. It is also possible to buy powered attachments to turn a manual chair into an electric chair. This is especially common in England and Wales.
Choosing Your Chair
If you have the power to push yourself along, a manual chair may be suitable. However, a powerchair is more suitable for those with limited drive capabilities. Also, for those wishing to carry articles along, the mobility scooter would be the ideal option.
There are rules regarding the use of mobility scooters and powerchairs on the road. These can be found at Mobility Scooters and Powered Wheelchairs (GOV.UK).
If you are hoping to get a device through a government scheme or grant, your choice may be limited. To consider your needs first, think about the difficulties you have getting around. Consider tasks that prove to be troublesome, features that you think your device may need, and how far you expect to travel. Also, consider what routes you may be taking and if you need it to fold to put in a car.
Paying For A Wheelchair
The type of disability you have will determine, after an NHS wheelchair assessment, whether you are able to obtain a chair on the NHS. Other ways of receiving help towards paying for these chairs are an NHS personal wheelchair budget or a grant from a charity or trust. Additionally, an Access to Work grant, crowdfunding, or the Motability Scheme may provide assistance.
The assessment will be, upon referral, carried out by a GP or a healthcare professional. This professional could be an occupational therapist or hospital staff. They are often carried out at hospitals, although some private companies can perform the assessment. If you are housebound, then the authorities can come to you. However, they will probably not be able to bring the device with them for you to try out. This assessment is not a financial one. Obtaining a chair through the NHS depends on your needs, not your income.
NHS Electric Wheelchairs
A local wheelchair service may decide whether you need an electric wheelchair. The NHS wheelchair service will adapt the chair to meet your specific needs. You will be unlikely to get a mobility scooter through the NHS. To get a powerchair, the wheelchair service may want to check certain things. This includes your spatial awareness, your ability to use the joystick controls, and if you have had any seizures recently. There may be reasons why you are not eligible for a powerchair. These include if you can walk, even just a little, if you can use a manual wheelchair, and if you cannot use a powerchair on your own.
NHS Personal Wheelchair Budgets
You can ask for a different type of chair other than the one you are offered by the assessor. This is done by applying to the NHS personal wheelchair budget. Everyone who is eligible for a wheelchair can apply for this help. The money for this comes from health and social services, funding from your local authority, or an Access to Work grant. You can top up the personal wheelchair budget from your own budget, get a grant or funding from a charity, or get crowdfunding.
