Self-propelled commode
The client wanted to convert her wheeled commode so she could propel it herself, rather than having to rely on her mother. Space constraints in her home meant a conventional wheelchair was not suitable.
The Challenge
The client is largely bed-bound and was reliant on her mother to take her to and from the bathroom on a wheeled commode. She wanted to be able to wheel herself, but the commode is on four castors, with no facility to be propelled by the user.
Space is very constricted in her house, so any solution needed to be compact and to be able to spin on its own axis. Her OT had tried a wheelchair, but because conventional wheelchair drive wheels are behind the user, this made the chair too long to manoeuvre in the space available; also the client found it uncomfortable to reach back to grasp the wheels.
The solution
The solution was to mount wheelchair wheels to the commode, centred between the front and back castors. The weight is now all taken on the new wheels, with the four castors simply providing fore-aft stability.
The existing castors had to be replaced with smaller ones to prevent them fouling with the new wheels. Welded steel frames carry the load from the axles of the new wheels to the castor mounting points, with additional arms to brace them against the commode frame. The central part of the commode remains clear to allow it to fit over a toilet.
For safety, wheelchair brakes were also added, as well as a stair gate so that it could not be driven down the stairs in the event of a seizure.
The benefit
The client is now able to get herself to and from the bathroom, which gives her increased privacy and independence. Even when her mother still pushes her, the large diameter wheels move more freely on the carpet than small castors.
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