If your Mom is sill ambulatory and prefers to walk some, you might want to consider a walker with a seat instead or in addition to. They are light, fold easily and will be easy for her to lift herself up from. As for the wheel chair, most of the time, a physican can prescribe one so that it can be paid for through the insurance. You would take the prescription to a medical supply store and they would be able to put her in one that will fit your needs.

If you don’t want to go through the insurance and prefer to buy from somewhere like Amazon, there are plenty to choose from. Make sure it’s not so wide that she’ll feel like she’s swimming but still narrow enough to go through doors. I would also suggest getting one that has arms that lift, because then it would be easier for her to pivot around and raise up from the side of the chair. It’s a real pain to get up if a chair doesn’t have them because the foot rests can get in the way.

Edit to add: When my DH’s health took a turn, we used the walker in the house. It was even helpful when he’d neeed to lift himself from the commode. When his legs started to hurt he’d flip the seat down and sit. The chair took up too much room and was harder to navigate around the house, but it was the bomb when we went to appts.

I don't think there are walkers that are safe for sitting and being pushed; all that I've seen have a big warning to not push it while seated. It would be hard if she got tired out and wasn't able to be pushed like she could be in a wheelchair. But you might think about getting both. Also think to the future when she might need to use it more - I'd take her to a medical supply and have her try them out to find one that is comfy for her, esp if she may someday be sitting in it for longer periods.

No! You don’t sit in them and someone pushes you! LOL If her Mom is still able to get around but isn’t steady, it will give her the support she needs. They have a flip down seat so they can sit if their legs get tired.. If she can walk, the walker will give her the confidence to do so and the walking will help with her circulation.

ETA: There is a right way and a wrong way to use them for sure. They should not be moved when the seat is in use.

She doesn’t need a walker. We just want a wheelchair to take her out to the patio, mostly. If she needs something else in the future, we’ll replace it. I cannot take her to a medical,supply store. Too difficult for her. I’d just like some suggestions about wheelchair features I should be looking for,

I'm not sure why you're resistant to a walker. It would be ideal for letting your mother get out to the patio safely, and of course, is much less bulky than a wheelchair. My mother got around for years with a walker, stopping to sit on it if she got tired. It provided the support she needed to keep steady and balanced, and kept her mobile for quite a few years. She did eventually have to get a wheelchair, but even then, used the walker for trips to the bathroom, etc.

Ask her PCP if she can get therapy at home. He would send orders to a home health agency and Medicare would pay for it. The therapist can recommend the best one to fit her and what she needs. They are priceless!

I was just going to suggest asking a physical therapist to evaluate your mother and recommend a walker or a wheelchair but cooper beat me to it.

As far as features, #1 for me would be that it fold easily and is light enough that her aid (or anyone) can lift it into the car if she wants to use it away from home. I wonder if a Medical Supply will allow you to bring them home for a trial? I'd ask, since she cannot get out to shop.

We had a regular wheelchair for my mother but it was old and heavy. Both my sister and I had difficulty lifting it. We used it when we would take her shopping or to appointments. We got lighter one and it was much better.

Do you think she has the arm strength to wheel herself? If her feet can touch the floor she can use them to move herself as she wishes but many of the ones that I saw at my husband's nursing home the foot rests tended to be loose and people would injure themselves by them swinging onto their feet after a couple of months usage. Some chairs can be adjusted in height but not all of them so if you are planning on her moving herself about but later using it full time select one that is adjustable. You state you are only planning on using it to take her out and to the patio but will you be with her at all times when she is on the patio. The reason I ask is that you may also need a headrest depending how she sits and naps. Something that tilts back or if her head tilts forward plan on a pillow for her chest to rest on. It could keep her from falling out of the chair. You need to see if you have the strength to fold and lift the chair into whatever vehicle you are planning on using. Some of the lighter ones will fit between the front and back seats and it is easier to remove from there than maneuvering into a trunk or the back of a SUV.

There is no need to take her to a medical supply store most have mobile units that come to you. Do not expect that the first one that she tries will be the one that is finally used. Making an assumption she will be having Medicare and her insurance pay for the chair so be aware that most durable equipment is on a rental basis for a year then it becomes owned by the renter. Medicare only covers the basic chair any upgrades are on the renter.

My mom is blind and cannot use a walker because she can’t see where she’s going. All we want is to wheel her outside to sit on the patio in nice weather because she is afraid to walk out where she can’t see. She can sit up just fine and walk as long as someone helps her.

Yes, lightweight would be good. I guess I was wondering about armrest or other features I might not know about. She will pay for it herself.The ones I’ve looked at on Amazon are less than $200.

I used this company when I ordered supplies for a rehabilitation facility. Lots of choices.

Transport Wheelchairs | Direct Supply - Your Partner in Senior Living

Will she just sit in a regular patio chair once she's outside? If so, I wouldn't worry too much about features.

No, she’d stay in the wheelchair.

Thanks Maifleur, that’s the kind of info I need.

Judy, there are some pretty nice chairs on that site.Not looking to make a big investment, but thanks.

My mom was furnished with a wheelchair for transport through Medicare. The company dropped it off and picked it back up when it was no longer needed.

I have a rollator, a walker where I can sit down. But it can't be moved while I am sitting.

I was looking into wheelchairs for myself (but the rollator fulfills all my current needs) and one thing I kept seeing mentioned it that a professional set of measurements should be taken, as an off measurement can cause a lot of discomfort.

Ded tired I think you are wise to look into this now. Not only the rising costs of materials might make future purchases more expensive, but a custom ordered wheelchair from the custom measurements can take a while to get delivered, having one ready in case of the sudden need that may arise for some seniors is a kindness.

Google the ways to measure a wheelchair. There are also suggestions and ratings.

For the occasional use for my mom, we were very happy with the transport chair. It was also fine for strolls down the lane, besides out to the patio or in the car. We added a cushion. She used it for a long time at the care home, too, as needed, but when the time came, she used their wheelchair. When she went on hospice, they provided a chair, and it was a better size for her.

Transport chairs are betted for the car because they fold better. But if you want a wheelchair, go with her and her aide to a good medical supply store. They will have one that is suited to her size and needs.

Our town senior center keeps a free lending closet where you can borrow equipment for as long as you need it. If you have something similar, I'd start there as different wheel chairs have different features. For me when my ankle was broken, I found the width most annoying. The closer it would fit, the better as the smaller it is, the easier it is to manage.

Also, when Mom was wheel chair bound with her broken leg, we found the chair heavy to lift in and out of the car and ended up scratching the bumper. I'd definitely get a rubber mat to protect the edge of the car if that's what I'd be doing with it.

Also VFW's and American Legion's have lending closets. Our Senior Center has one too.

Thanks for the additional suggestions. This is all a new world to me.

P.S. My mom's Medicare provided chair came with a thick fitted cushion and they left it when they picked up the chair.

Harbor Freight has a folding wheelchair for $130. We bought one to have when my mom visited. It was cheaper than renting one from a medical supply store. After she was gone we sold it for what we paid. It was sturdy enough to use everywhere, indoors or out. But light weight enough to fold up and put n the back of my car.

Our Senior Center has a lending closet. You could 'try on' some options before buying. I borrowed a walker and a raised toilet seat from ours when I had hip replacement surgery. A center is also a great place to find out what people have found useful -- or not.