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FIL is 92 and can hardly walk with a rollator. I got him a wheelchair but he's too weak to push himself around. he's in assisted care and says it's too hard for him to get to the dining room and other functions.
He's looking at a Scootle for almost $2,000.
Any recommendations for something cheaper?

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Have you asked the AL about a scooter? Maybe they have some ideas. It would need to be something light and portable. That he can drive with no problem.
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markevans999 Jul 2021
There are other people using scooters at the facility.
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There is a possibility that if you can get the doctor to agree, and given the conditions. The fact that he can barely walk with the walker and he is not strong enough to use a wheelchair that a motorized one might be covered.
It would be worth checking that out.
A PT should assess it and his need for the motorized scooter.
I would also try several types before settling on one.
You might also find a used one on line.
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The dining rooms I've seen tend to be crowded and all the walkers etc need to be left out in the hall, unless he is able to park and continue on to the table unassisted the scooter might not solve the problem. I like Grandma1954's advice about a motorized wheelchair, he would be able to take that right up to the table.
It might also be time to consider whether the AL is going to work for him long term, if getting oneself to the dining room is mandatory what happens when he loses that ability even with the aid of a power chair?
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We found one at a garage sale by the family of someone who had just passed.  I don't remember what we paid for it, but it was in good condition and worked quite well.

It was battery operated, so it had to be plugged in periodically for charging. 

Dad didn't need it for rehab, was never in AL, but I do recall that at least 3 of the rehabs he was in had space for scooters.   I do recall seeing a few residents using them, sometimes with assistance from an aide or someone else. 

Besides providing transit, I thought that one of the important aspects was to convey a sense of self reliance and freedom.
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My dad was wheelchair bound and wanted to use his motorized scooter but PT assessed him for safety and said he would trip or fall and be injured using it. So he really should be assessed first.
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I agree that a power chair is a better option! A scooter is too dangerous! If you are insured, you will need to be referred by your doctor or PT. If you have to pay out-of-pocket, a power chair is quite pricey!
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not sure but would his insurance pay for that scooter as required, would probably need a doctors recommendation to get one in order for insurance to pay. Isn't there someone who could push him to these functions? wishing you luck
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disgustedtoo Jul 2021
"Isn't there someone who could push him to these functions?"

Not only was I thinking this, but what is AL doing for him? The whole concept of AL is a place where people can still retain some autonomy, but get ASSISTANCE with DAILY LIVING tasks that they have difficulty with. Can't some aide wheel him to the dining area?
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Some places have services available where people will bring a LO down for meals n such for a small fee each month. If your LO is with it, a scooter or power chair can be effective. Be sure the facility allows it & check for any restrictions. Is there room in his unit to park it? We bought my dad one ( he was wheelchair bound) and he loved the independence it gave him! I’d assist him getting in and out of it. We didn’t keep it in his room for fear he’d fall trying to get on/off by himself. As his AZ progressed he couldn’t operate it safely. Insurance can help buy one, but they don’t help with the type you’d use for long walks outside or more difficult terrain. The process takes time, but can be helpful. Good luck!
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Remember the days of scooter commercials on TV? Every five minutes?

Well, the seniors back then took advantage of those ads. So much so that Medicare was dishing out tons of money for scooters. It was one of Medicare’s top expenses. Now you have to jump through hoops for a scooter.

Try Craig’s list or Marketplace. First check with the facilty if they are allowed.
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Motorized wheelchair is the way to go as they can turn 360 without needing a large space. Scooters require going forward and backwards and forward snd backwards constsntly turning the steering to be sblevto turn around in tighter spaces ..especislly in elevators which require being able to drive in reverse! We bought moms on craigslist. Local Ebay. Check other sites like nextdoor app. Where u can post a iso. Not worth buying new. We also bought the replacement battery on Ebay
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If he is in assisted care, why isn't he being assisted to dining room, etc.?
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SweetSioux Jul 2021
When my MIL was in assisted living, residents were required to be ambulatory. May be time for dad to go into nursing care.
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I don't know if he is or is not mentally and physically capable of handling an electric wheelchair. That needs to be determined. If he can handle it, the doctor can provide an RX for an electric wheelchair and Medicare will pay for it - no cost to you. And if not, the aides at the facility must push him to the dining room in the wheelchair. I live in assisted living and the aides push the wheelchairs.
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Lamb232 Jul 2021
Medicare will not pay for an electric wheelchair. From my experience, they will pay 80% of approved cost. Also, the client must rent it for 1 year $1200.00. Then the price of the wheelchair is jack up, and Medicare will only pay what they think it should cost. In the long run, the client ends up paying about $3000.0o out of pocket. Cheaper to find one on your own. There are many used wheelchairs that are like new and very low price. Medicare no longer pays for scooters.
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Not everyone is able to use a joystick to operate a wheelchair. Some people find that scooters are much easier to manage. Do not purchase without first having him try both a wheelchair and a scooter. Try both at a mobility store in your area. You can get an idea of what’s available at Spinlife. https://www.spinlife.com/ I’ve been dealing with them for about 6 years and have never had a problem. Scooters should have an adjustable seat that also swivels to get off easier. I recommend the Pride Victory series. A 3 wheel is easy to manage, but can tip at higher speeds and sharp turns. A 4 wheel is more stable, but more difficult turning in to doorways. New scooters can range from $700.00 up to more that $5000.
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Before purchasing the Scootle, be sure that you can return it if it is to difficult for him to use. Please go to a local mobility store to try several different kinds. I actually have both a scooter and an electric wheelchair that I would sell. I’m in the Oregon / Washington area.
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Look around for used. Check marketkplace on facebook for your area. I've even seen them in estate sales. You can find estate sales online. But check facebook marketkplace. It's the little house shaped icon at top of your fb page.
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If he has insurance check to see if they may cover the cost of one, if deemed medically necessary.
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markevans999: Your FIL should first be assessed to see if he can manage a scooter.
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If he's in assisted care, why are the aides not pushing him in the wheelchair to the dining area and other activities? My mother was in a facility with IL, AL and MC. There was a mix of those who could get around on their own, with or without walkers, rollators or canes, and there were those who needed an aide to move them via wheelchair to whatever was needed.

I would be concerned about his ability to control it, first of all. Second issue is how would he get from the scooter to the table, if he can't ambulate? It isn't likely the scooter can accommodate the walker too, so he'd have to walk unassisted to the table?
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If he is unable to use a wheelchair Medicare or the insurance will pay 80% of the cost of a motorized unit. Some places will do the paperwork for you.
The place where he is should wheel him to the dining room so he can have his meals, We have no problems here at Casa Del Mare, here they will wheel you to the dining room or they will bring the meals to your room, I like Casa Del Mare.
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Did he serve in the military? If so, you should check with the VA to see if he qualifies for any assistance. My FIL was just upgraded(AGAIN, this will be at least the 5th one) all at the VA's expense. It is certainly worth looking into. He had an appt, he got to try out different models. They even paid for the lift that goes on his vehicle to transport.
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