Consider a Wheelchair

Try to book a wheelchair taxi in advance (usually up to a week in advance ideally). Look for taxi companies that advertise these, and preferably ones that have a number of them so there's less chance you'll have to wait for a taxi back (and if you know the time you'll be coming back then book that in advance too). If your loved one is in a care or nursing home they'll probably be able to recommend companies that have wheelchair taxis. Keep the numbers of several such taxi companies on your phone.

When booking a taxi for a wheelchair, make sure it's clear that the wheelchair is to be used in the taxi, not just folded up and put in the boot. Also say you'll want to travel in the back with them, since it's much easier to reassure them that way if they're nervous passengers - some designs of taxi can't fit this in, although that's rare. Some designs have the wheelchair facing backwards and some forwards, but you're unlikely to be able to choose other than by trying different taxi companies - some people are less anxious if facing forwards but others might prefer facing backwards.

Do be aware, though, that wheelchairs are not very comfortable over bumps in the road - the basic chair has no springing in the seat, so use a pressure relief cushion. We'd also recommend a thin cushion for the back, particularly covering the metal frame in the corners - though it will have to be thin otherwise the person will be less well balanced, further towards the front of the wheelchair and with less leg support. There are special wheelchair cushions, or a pair of thin garden seat cushions could be used. In a taxi, explain to the driver the lack of cushioning compared to a car seat and ask them to go very slow over speed bumps.

Make sure you know how to use the wheelchair. As a guide:

• Before the person gets in or out put both brakes on.
• Before the person gets in or out make sure both footplates (foot rests) are fully out of the way - either take them off or swing them out and move the footplates vertical. Never stand on the footplates when getting in or out of the chair, as they'll move and/or break. NB moving the chair forwards before stopping and removing the footplates will ensure the front wheels are turned back on their castors, slightly more out of the way. Never move the chair without their feet on the footplates otherwise they'll catch on the floor and be bent backwards very painfully and with the risk of breaking the ankle. In an emergency (if the footplate has broken) you could go backwards slowly and carefully so long as there's good footwear to protect the heel of the foot from rubbing, but do stay aware of what's happening to the feet.
• When moving use a lap belt if the chair has one, but it doesn't need to be tight - it's just to stop the person sliding off the chair.
• When going down a kerb, or down a steep hill, go backwards so the person doesn't fall out, but be careful to watch where you're going.
• When going forwards up a kerb or over a bump, don't assume the footplate will clear the kerb - look and make sure to stop before toes hit a high kerb. If the footplate is high enough to clear the kerb then continue a little further until the front wheels are nearly at the kerb. Tell the person that you're just going to tilt the chair back a little, and then press one of your feet down on the short bar that projects backwards from the back of the frame, so that the chair tips back and lifts the small front wheels over the kerb or bump.
• Never try to go up or down more than a single small step. This requires at least two trained and strong people.
• Make sure shawls, rain covers etc don't get caught in the wheels. Don't wrap a scarf round the neck if it's long enough to reach the wheels, and we'd strongly recommend using a snood instead.
• It's very hard to push a wheelchair over grass or a soft surface, because the narrow wheels sink in under the person's weight, so you'll need to stick to paths.

For a useful visual guide see the Red Cross video (or instruction sheet) on the Red Cross website, under hire a wheelchair - learn how to use. In variation to what the video shows, we'd say it's easier to put the footrest plate horizontal before swinging it into position at the same time as lifting the foot, to save having to lift their foot as high.

If you use a wheelchair to help with a visit to the optician, it may be worth mentioning this beforehand to make sure the wheelchair will fit with their equipment when you have to use the equipment's chin rest. You may want to try to ensure the cushion you use with the wheelchair gives a suitable chin height. If you have to remove wheelchair arms to fit under the equipment then make sure your loved one doesn't topple sideways out of the chair.