Off topic – and ignore it if it’s instrusive – but can I ask if you have or know of a system or gadget or something to help carry stuff around with you? My uncle managed to smash up an ankle, and due to an existing shoulder problem crutches are out. He needs some sort of way to have a bunch of things ready at hand. Bottle of water, book and reading glasses, phone, snack, tv remote, kleenex, cough drops… on and on.
It seems like reaching into a bag on the back would be awkward, but on the side it would interfere with the wheels. Some sort of lap/leg apron thingy with sewn pockets, maybe? The house isn’t wheel-chair friendly, and I’m betting he’s going to be way awkward maneuvering, at least at first, so I don’t think just having them on a table will work well.
I fear it’ll come down to him yelling for his wife to get something for him every ten minutes, and she’s got her own mobility problems with arthritis. 