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Had similar problem with mother - so desperately wanting to get back home after the latest of many - falls, hospital stays, rehab, back home. She was not accepting her decline and assured staff she could manage quite nicely. However, I had the trump card - insisted that unless she could get in or out of my vehicle, she wasn't going home. Oh did the level of activity and such increase on her part. Sadly, it was short-lived....within a week of returning home she informed me she could no longer get in my car. She discovered virtual phone visits with doctors and had me running for groceries, etc. PT etc was set in place but she was not doing her part. So sad to see the decline. She is now gone and suffers no more. I miss her terribly, but also know we all have that unknown end date.
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Reply to JLyn69
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There are wheelchairs where the sides go up. That way the wheelchair is parallel to the car sit. If the person has the strength they can get up and into the seat. A transfer board can be used. But if the person has no strength in their legs or upper body, then you need a special vehicle. Like a Van with a ramp. Senior buses are equipped with a ramp.
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Reply to JoAnn29
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I agree with both responses! It definately can be challenging even on a day to day basis. And you may need someone to assist you with the transfer. My Mom is in a wheelchair and cannot stand on her own. We use a transfer board and sometimes a transfer belt. The majority of the time the board works fine. But if her joints stiffen up from the weather, she is harder to move and most of the work ends up on us to get her in the vehicle.

As suggested, check out some videos on transfers and also ask her doctor about assistance from PT. They are very good at helping with this and can guide you specific to your patient.
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Reply to Oldestchild55
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As a PT, I would also recommend asking the doctor for a Home Health PT referral to address this. Anyone who has transportation difficulties should be eligible. Car transfer training is best performed when someone knowledgeable in general technique can work with the kind of vehicle you have-height, seat depths, driveway angles etc, as well as the abilities/disabilities of all involved. Get some professional eyes on your particular situation to decrease your risk of injury. Good luck with this!
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Reply to strugglebunny
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I agree with Beatty that this depends. Cars are low and you are dealing with a roof. This is a pretty dangerous maneuver dependent on the mobility of the person being transferred and on your own strength. Also on the ability of the person being transferred to help at all with use of arms, shifting of body weight. Transfers from W/C are difficult, but they are similar to transfers from chair.

I am going to recommend the many videos online for you to watch. If this doesn't work I would ask that you speak with your doctor about a one time PT consult to insure you know all the best ways to transfer using good body mechanics. My fear here is that if you are the only caregiver you risk putting yourself in dire circumstances with a back injury.

I wish you the best of luck.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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It really depends what the mobility of the person is like.

Use of both legs, non-weight bearing on one leg or amputee? Use of both arms? Ability to stand up? Ability to take steps & pivot?

Is this a young, fit upper bodied person? There are slide boards that may work (but car transfers are a tight space).

Or a frail elder? There are removable handles that attatch to the car frame. Enables the person to hold the car door on one side & removable handle on the other for balance.

If unable to do car transfers in a safe way, the next step is travel in the wheelchair in a suitable van or taxi.
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Reply to Beatty
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