The staff at the rehab center should be linking him and you up for resources for finding housing, and getting equipment authorized by his insurance and ordered. Is he uninsured? If you have to purchase any of this out of your own pocket, then used is a good option. Check out eBay as well as www.disableddealer.com and the Equipment exchange forum at CareCure.org as well as Skip's List. The same goes for vans. Used is best at this point, assuming he will not be driving for a while, and will be riding as a passenger in his wheelchair (much cheaper). They should also set him up with paratransit if it exists in his area.
Was he working or going to school before? If so, the Dept. of Voc Rehab may help some with transportation if he has a plan to return to either with them. Again, the rehab center should be helping him link up with DOR if that is an option.
Talk with his case manager. Is this a CARF accredited facility? If so, they have those standards to uphold, and this includes linking him with appropriate resources and advocating for him.
No one should be manually lifting a fully dependent person. That is what the lift is for. I would also recommend that he have a hospital bed with an appropriate pressure reducing mattress, and an over-bed table. This will make his care easier for himself and for caregivers. Even if you could lift him, it is NOT a good idea for a lover or spouse to be the only caregiver. If you take this on by yourself, it will be very difficult to maintain your role as his lover. It has been the death of many relationships. Use care that he is entitled to.
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