Sometimes a wheelchair will be a useful temporary measure to help the
patient get to the lavatory instead of using a commode or get out of the house
for a change. But this should not stop the person earning to walk and thereby
becoming more independent even if a chair is still needed for longer trips
outdoors.
There are wheelchairs which can be propelled and steered from one wheel.
These are not very easy to operate and are particularly difficult to use outdoors
on slopes and kerbs. There is a foot steered chair which can be propelled with
one arm but it is also difficult to operate and even worse to push because the
pusher cannot steer it. A standard wheelchair can be propelled with one arm, with
one leg pawing the ground to keep the chair straight. These are available through
the NHS. A wheelchair should be narrow enough to go through doorways and
foldable so that it can be taken in a car. An electric wheelchair is worth
considering provided there are no perceptual or visual problems.