How can my mother get into our motorhome?

[Son_of_Norway]

Hello; My mother has always liked going with us on camping trips. She is now 96 and she broke her hip last year. She can still walk around the house and go out to places, but her days of climbing steps or stairs are over.

I think that she could maneuver around inside our motorhome and there are things for her to grab onto to steady herself. The main problem I see is how she can get into and out of the RV. There are three steps, and I do not think it is safe for her to climb up or go down them. Modifying the motorhome to add a lift isn't an option for us.

Has anyone worked through this issue? Does anyone have any ideas?

Thank you.

[reluyog]

Son of Norway, if it were me I would build a device based on two things. One is an aisle chair for aircraft, and the other is a stair climbing hand truck. If you browse for images of both those items on Google, you could probably build what you need using the hand truck as the base carriage. Just thinking out loud sort of.

[Son_of_Norway]

Thanks to all for the kind words and great suggestions. Yes my mother is a real trooper! I'll go through all the possibilities and hopefully find one that works for us.

[jfkmk]

I don't have any suggestions, but kudos to your mother for traveling at 96!

[Dennis12]

How much money does mom have? I could become her privet lifter. Just kidding ramp yes, wheel chair no. will not fit in door.

[ppine]

I think it is wonderful that your Mom still wants to go places. Most older people are content to sit around. Must be the Norwegian blood. Uffda.

I broke my femur a few years ago and found out the beauty of ramps. Make one for your RV out of plywood. Good luck and God Bless your Mom.

[BB_TX]

There are a number of options.

Here is one.

Google results for others.

[Tal_IL]

Searching around, it looks like there are several products out there that might fit your needs. Here's one: Step Assist Lift System

[Dutch_12078]

We have a friend that recently had both knees replaced, and she finds the mentioned "butt bump" method the easiest way to handle our steps when she visits.

When my wife's disabled sister traveled with us some years ago, we used a large dog 250 lb capacity ramp and a narrow travel wheel chair to move her in and out of the coach. Later on, when our then wheelchair bound teen aged granddaughter traveled with us, we used the same ramp and chair for her as well. The bigger problem for us was getting them in and out of the shower. I modified a shower bench to fit, but I couldn't find any practical way to use anything like a Hoyer lift in the tight confines of the bathroom, leaving us with a looped strap over my shoulders under their butts as the preferred method of lifting them in and out.

[valhalla360]

From the pic of your rig, it looks like you have a nice rack on the back. Should be easy to carry a ramp.

Alternatively if you are handy, a modified motorcycle lift could be used. Just keep it on the back deck and drag it around once you get to the site. Mom steps onto the platform and pushes a button to go up or down.

[toedtoes]

I'd do a ramp. Something like This that she could use a walker to go up. Get one long enough to ensure a proper grade - you can talk to her PT or other mobility expert for the right grade for her abilities.

A friend of my mother's once told her to not use a wheelchair until you absolutely have to do so. She was paralyzed and said that once you get in that chair you will find every excuse to not get back out. If your mom can still walk with help, then she's best off continuing walking - even if it's very slow.

[bdpreece]

Depends on how disabled she is. I know when I fell breaking my hip, pelvis etc I was able to sit down on the steps and go up them backwards one step at a time. Once inside my wife would help me to stand. Like you said once inside I could hold onto furniture and move about.

[azdryheat]

It involves buying another motorhome but the Newmar Canyon Star 3911 has a built in wheelchair lift.

[MDKMDK]

Best suggestion would be some sort of ramp and wheelchair. I can't think of any way she'll be able to do the steps herself, which is a shame.
Nice that she still likes to travel at her age, and that you don't mind having her come along. Very nice.

[kerrlakeRoo]

Can you carry a ramp and use it and a wheelchair or mobility scooter?