As someone who used to transport a semi-invalid mother, I wish I had an answer for you, but I don’t.
My situation no doubt easier, as I was helping her from a wheelchair, to the front seat of a Ford Taurus, both being about the same height.

 

I have absolutely no personal experience in this area but a Google search produced some potential solutions. I know nothing about the actual utility of these or about the quality of construction but maybe this information will give you some ideas.

"A wheelchair to car seat transfer lift is a device that helps people move from a wheelchair to a car seat. Some options include the Milford Person Lift, BraunAbility Chair Topper, and Bruno Valet Plus.

Transfer lifts

• Milford Person Lift: A lightweight, versatile lift that can fit in many vehicles. It uses a sling to lift the person into the car seat.
  
  
  • BraunAbility Chair Topper: A wheelchair carrier that lifts and stores the wheelchair in a rooftop compartment.
    
  • Bruno Valet Plus: A luxury vehicle access seat that can be programmed to fit the user."
    

Smart Transfer

Autochair

www.autochair.com

Wheelchair Van Seating Solutions

MobilityWorks Offers a Variety of Turning Seat and Transfer Solutions Transfer seats are specially designed to help a person with a disability transfer

www.mobilityworks.com

Milford Person Lift | Mobility Innovations

The Milford Person Lift Will Comfortably And Safely Transfer You From Your Wheelchair And Into Your Car. Suitable For Different Levels Of Mobility.

www.mobilityinnovations.com

https://www.braunability.com/us/en/mobility-products/vehicle-seating/turny-evo.html

Vehicle Transfer Seats | BLVD.com

Transfer from wheelchairs to vehicle seats safely with a vehicle transfer seat for disabled drivers or passengers. Pivoting seats and Hoist from top brands like Bruno, Pride and Auto Adapt simplify getting in and out of Truck, Car, Van and Suv easy.

www.blvd.com

I realize that some of this is redundant but figured it was better to err on the side of overload instead of giving just a few options. Also note that there were many more returns to my search and there may be better ideas in the stuff I didn't cite.

Good luck.

 

I am very interested in this thread and very appreciative. I am a 70 year-old above the right knee amputee. It ain’t fun getting in and out of my 2021 Chevy pick up and RST. My 2000 Silverado much less of a problem. My concern is my wife she is 70 also and her health is beginning to fail noticeably. The future is not bright on moving her.
Thank you for having the courage for starting this thread.

 

A small thing that might make it a little easier for you.
A few years ago, my back was balking about the idea of getting out of my car.
On eBay , I purchased a handle which gets inserted into the door latch.A very simple thing, but gave me a little more leverage and maneuverability.

 

fourbore,

While I may not be able to offer any assistance on the personal transfer equipment that you are asking, I can offer opinions about an alternative solution.

I think it would be much easier, and more importantly safer -- both on the patient and the caregiver -- to keep the patient in the chair. The handicap minivans with foldable ramp have come a long way and they are extremely reliable and easy to use. All of them operates via a touch of a button because they are electrically operated. The center section of the van is open (middle seats removed). You roll (or drive up if it is a powered wheelchair) the wheelchair up, position it and tie it down. Many preowned vehicles are available.

I speak with 35+ years of experience in caring for one of my family members who is in a wheelchair.

I wish you the best of luck in your search.

 

I second the post above, the safest place place for a person in a wheelchair is in the wheelchair. Leave the transfers inside the house or medical facility. I drove for a medical transport company for over 8 years and we had vans that were modified for entry and tie-down. Good luck in your search.

Gregg

 

Some of the used vans go remarkably cheap. My SO's aunt had to have one and it was over $75k for a new van plus the folding drive up ramp conversion and modified hand controls...she was a double amputee.

It was 4 or 5 years old, low miles and in good shape and after listing it around, the estate sold it for $15k.

This may not be the best for a temporary situation, but long term, a specialty vehicle is probably your best option.

 

Contact local VA and ask what they got. I know they have a van with wheel chair lift that’s works slick. I have seen it many times at hospital transporting Vets in Wheel chairs.

 

I agree. We have gone through 3 versions of handicap accessible vans. Each was attained at tens of thousands of dollars less than original list price with minimal mileage on it. Just need to shop around.

I did have to go cross country to pick two of them up but the savings was worth the effort and time (2 days).

 

I just got back in and need to digest all this. I will say we considered removing the Honda back seat and using a ramp. I/we will reconsider. The problem is the Honda is 20 yrs old and no reliable for all occasions. Then maybe it shoud be repalced and used with a ramp. I need some time to follow all those links.

Thank you for all the help so far.

 

I was 70 a couple years ago when my wife had a knee replacement, the only caregiver and I have my own issues. The first week was horrible doing transfers as needed just in the house, I almost couldn't do it, we were close to both crashing to the floor more than once. I recognized that if/when she gets the other one done she will have to be in a facility for at least 2 weeks because we were In Danger.
Note that we had done the pre-op training at the hospital but I was in Way Over My Head. It certainly sounds to me from the post that you need one beefy or 2 reg people well trained and experienced to do physical transfers.
Have you looked into what your community has for 'elder care'?

 

We are looking at the budget and our options around a used van and/or ramps. Meanwhile we have been able to rent a handicap van. The rental works very well and factoring in all the costs associated with ownership continues to be an option. I was hoping for a more versatile alternative.

 

Sounds good, fourbore,

I wish you and everyone the Best. Take your time and shop around. There are good deals out there.

 

Unfortunately, raw strength is the only versatile method of moving a sack of potatoes.

Good luck.

 

I think of what it was like moving even a small deer carcass alone

 

I used to work as a PT aide in a hospital, then moved to being a courier and doing discharges, etc. If it were me, I would get w/ a therapist and consult - they know what is available and can help you figure out what works best all around.

That said, I've done this task using a sliding seat board and a gait belt. Easy enough when you know what you are doing and how to do it, and I've seen a 4'10" 90lb Asian lady do it and move a 300lb guy this way. Helps to have the start and end points level or even better end point a bit down elevation wise from starting point, and the person being moved should have clothing on that allows it to slide on the polished wood surface of your sliding seat board.

 

@ivan the Beasy board eliminates the need for particular clothing. The patient sits on the saucer and it slides along the board.

 

Amazing what 35+ years of change can do, huh? We were working with a glorified 2x8 board with a couple of hand holds on the ends ....