Should I purchase a wheelchair van for my husband or a regular vehicle?

2 ideas and thoughts: How often do you need to take husband out? If it is for medical, can they come to our home to evaluate hubby, especially during COVID.

If it is less than 4 times a year, could your call your local taxi cab company and ask if the have handicap vehicle/van, where they roll hubby into it- WHEELCHAIR ACCESS VAN. I have my driver's number in my cell.. He works for yellow cab in our area. Not all access wheelchair vans or drivers are the same. So, if you find someone you like, make sure your get his personal cell number, and get his taxi cab number, etc.
good luck

Handicapped Vans are very expensive unless you find a good used one. The Van alone would cost you over 30k. Then you have to have it outfitted depending on how you will use it. My GFs was set up where she came in the side, then lined up her scooter chair and "clicked" it in the passengers side. Her husband drove it but it did have handicap controls for her. Before her death, she was looking into a PT Cruiser that was wheelchair accessible. The back of the car goes up and you wheel in from there. Here's a side version but I have seen a rear entry version too. Rear would be better since people parking near a handicap space don't realize that even going 6 in over into the ramp space makes it hard for the ramp to come out completely or not enough room for the wheelchair to maneuver.

http://www.mobilitymotoring.com/listings/2006-chrysler-pt-cruiser-touring/

From what I have seen, there are a number of SUVs that can now be made accessible.

Does your husband have a wheelchair where the side slides upward. If so, a transfer board maybe what you need.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=transfer+board&i=hpc&gclid=Cj0KCQjwp4j6BRCRARIsAGq4yMGG0PLH2gLwCZeI4NVDO8iE5itzIGL6ehoxQ8jJnEwnnAwc3sqb0HUaArwuEALw_wcB&hvadid=177767189694&hvdev=t&hvlocphy=9003829&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=9150464766364286275&hvtargid=kwd-1612966901&hydadcr=21630_9710605&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_58d5zdqxhn_e

I think that it comes down to how much use you would get out of it, if you are the kind of people who like to go out several times a week it would be worth it but if it's just for the occasional appointment IMO you would probably be better off exploring what kind of disability transit is available in your area.

1.   What are the changeable and unchangeable issues?    I.e., Parkinson's may or may not get worse, but it can't be cured, to the best of my knowledge.  But  will it progress to cause more limited mobility?    Only the treating doctor could address this, so get his/her opinion.

But you'll need something for now and in the future, with perhaps the possibility of upgrading support in the future.

2.  How often do you transport him?   For medical visits only, or for family/friend visits, for excursions just to get out of the house?    If the latter, could you have social gatherings at home so transfer to the vehicle is less of an issue?

My point is to establish a baseline for cost comparison.

3.  Have you tried a slide board? My father made 2 for my mother and they worked well.  The wheelchair is positioned next to the car seat, and wheels locked.  The wheelchair foot rests and arm rest next to the inside of the car are removed.  The slide board is positioned as close to the person in the wheelchair as possible.

Assuming the person can slide, or "scooch" as the therapists called it, he/she tilts to the right, the individual in the car (you) gently slides the board under the left hip, and he straightens out.   Then using his hands to support him, he gently scoots over closer to the driver's side.   Once he's firmly on the seat, he tips to the left, and you remove the board.

This is a fairly good illustration of using a slide board, with a few exceptions:

a.   The individual holding the to-be transferred person needs to be very careful and avoid bending so much as to cause back injury.

b.   The board could be longer by about 1/2 foot, to provide more space on each side for the helper to insert his or her hands comfortably.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFUW7He43_g

This is another illustration, but I wouldn't consider it as safe, for either assistant. In addition, the board is too short and doesn't allow the individual being transferred sufficient space to be comfortable, and safe, since a short board could tip if a heavy person is on one end.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZ6xeS_GjSk

My father designed and made boards for my mother, but boards can also be purchased; I would price them at a DME supplier.

4.    I would count the number of times transfer has been necessary in the past years (assuming you're also keeping track of rides and mileage for potential tax purposes).    If you're transferring to the vehicle more and believe that it will increase in the future, calculate your potential costs on that basis.

5.    Price local transit for a comparison.   I took a non emergency ambulance for cataract surgery followup; it was $40 one way plus cost for gas (I don't remember how much).    I think the total cost was around $140 ($80 transit plus gas, round trip.     This gives you a baseline for considering whether a new car would be better than paid transit, but this is ONLY for nonwheelchair transit.

I learned that some ambulance companies do provide these nonemergency services.  The one I hired was cheaper than the transit I had to hire for my father back in 2003, which if I remember was also $40 one way at that time.

5.    Price wheelchair vans and regular vehicles; add in any financing costs (to the extent that they're amortized, and create an annual cost for either the van or regular vehicle.   Compare it to paid transportation.   That'll help you decide whether or not to purchase or to hire.

6.   Paid transportation in a wheelchair equipped van has another nonmonetary factor:  it's much safer; and you're not alone in handling the transfer.   In addition, if it should break down, the company could send a backup.  

If you have to carry oxygen with you, that could make a big difference in safety.

7.    In Virginia, how much snow do you get?   Would it be a factor in safe transit?  it's a nonmonetary consideration, but a valid one.  

8.    Do you have a ramp?   If not, would you need one in the future?

Transferring him is only going to get harder. It seems that a wheelchair accessible van is the way to go.

I had a friend who bought herself a wheelchair van and found it very helpful. It was equipped with as motorized ramp, and she also had a motorized wheelchair.

she actually tried several versions on a lease basis, and upgraded in stages.

if you get a “ordinary” vehicle, think about the height of the seat. A slide board may work if the seat is not too high or low, compared to your wheelchair. Sometimes a “regular” sedan is too low, an SUV “may” be too high. A minivan “may“ be just right.

Imho, your decision is going to come down to the fact that your husband's health will no doubt worsen. It probably is not a valid idea to keep a compact auto. I cannot advise you to purchase a wheelchair van since I do not know your financial status and if it going to be worth it in the long run. Prayers sent.

Here in Canada if you purchase a wheelchair accessible vehicle is gets special tax treatment as it is considered to be medical equipment. If you buy a van and have it converted, you only get the special tax treatment on the conversion costs.

As others have noted, wheelchair vans are very expensive. Can your husband stand with help and take a step or two while hanging on to something for support? If so, you can work this out with existing or similar car. My sister has a 2010 Camry with rather low bucket seats. We used a "car cane", a simple handle that you slide into the slot in the car door frame. My Mom could push herself up from her wheelchair, grab the car cane with one hand and car door with the other. We wanted a swivel seat to help her move her legs into the car after she sat down. The ones you can find online are pretty useless based on reviews, so we made one. We cut two boards to fit a bucket seat and bought a swivel mechanism from West Marine (think bass boat swivel chair) to fasten between the boards. We attached a fairly thin but comfortable cushion on top with Velcro and it worked great. If you do make a swivel seat, keep in mind your husband's height in the seat. Both the car cane and the swivel seat are removable and easily storable. Good luck.

I own a Ford Transit wheelchair van with a lift and used to own a Dodge caravan wheelchair van with a ramp.   You can sometimes find used ones or ones they call "new/used" (ie:  used vehicle with new conversion).  As far as you getting one, it really depends on how much you need to transport your husband.  Will you use it everyday?  once a week? or only a couple of times a month?  Does you husband, like mine, want to get out of the house daily?  Knowing this will help the decision making process .

There is a company called Mobility Works, they are in various cities in the US.  I recommend you visit one to look at what they have and discuss the merits of one vs the other.  They can also help you with options for getting in and out of regular car.  If your husband can stand a "car cane" may be a big help. 

Our caravan was a new/used conversion when we purchased it and it worked very well until I needed to transport two wheelchair bound people, then I needed something bigger.  Which is why we want to the Transit.  The other nice thing about the Transit is that we got the "mid-roof" model so that I could stand upright in the back to help my husband with his seatbelt.

Another thought, if your husband is a veteran, you might check with your local VA to see if they might help pay for some of this. Ours paid for the Wheelchair conversion on the Transit after I purchased it as a regular vehicle (that helped with the cost tremendously).  If his disability is considered to be caused by his military service, they will pay for a one time purchase of a transport vehicle.  If not service connected they will still help with the conversion costs.

Hope  my rambleing thoughts helped you some.