Seniors needs the right mobility scooter to support them every day. Loss of mobility should never be a reason to stop doing what you love. A good mobility scooter helps seniors stay on the go no matter what life throws at them. But how do you determine if a scooter's the right choice?
Mobility scooters offer plenty of advantages, although some come with flaws as well. They enable seniors to get out of the house, go shipping, attend events, and visit friends and family with ease.
Obviously, every mobility scooter comes with its own list of pros and cons to think about. You also don't want to fall for the common myths and misconceptions many people believe about them. But when the perfect scooter can do so much for a senior's lifestyle, the only wrong choice is not considering one!
Mobility Scooter Shopping Tips In general, mobility scooters (also referred to as electric scooters) are engineered for people who have some mobility but are tested by walking duration or walking distances. When shopping for a mobility scooter, you should consider the following:
Where will the scooter be primarily used? (outdoor, indoor, or both)
Where will the scooter be stored and charged when not in use? (garage, indoors, walkway, carport)
How often will the scooter will be transported in a motor vehicle? Does this require ramps, vehicle storage, locks?
Below are the three types of mobility scooters that Parentgiving offers. If you have any questions, concerns, or curiosity about where to begin or which scooter is most appropriate, please call our expert customer care staff.
Travel Mobility Scooters These portable scooters are easily folded and ready for transport and are perfect for the person who likes to travel. Models in this category can disassemble into 3 or 4 pieces for easy transport in the trunk of most cars. The heaviest disassembled piece on our travel scooters weighs slightly more than 20 pounds. Sealed batteries make travel scooters airline safe (but be sure to contact your airline before booking a flight). These scooters tend to be compact so we don't recommend them for users over 300 lbs or over 5'10" in height. Pride Mobility's Go-Go scooter is a really popular choice.
3 Wheel Mobility Scooters These scooters are the workhorse of all of the scooter classes — they are full featured, accommodate larger and taller users, and are flexible enough to be used indoors and outdoors. The 3 wheel scooter design generally offers more legroom for taller users and those with knee pain, and is much easier to use indoors with its smaller turn radius. Scooters in this class often carry an array of features like arm rests, storage baskets, swivel seats and more. Maximum weight capacity varies, but many models go up to 350 lbs and beyond. A popular 3 wheeled scooter that is becoming known for its top speed of 18 mph, and outdoor use is the e-Wheels EW-36.
4 Wheel Mobility Scooters Four Wheel Mobility scooters offer the most stable scooter platform, and with a wider wheelbase, are designed primarily for outdoor use. Larger models have studded tires and high ground clearance and can even travel over rugged terrain. Some models offer an effective travel range of 20 plus miles per charge and a top speed of 10mph. We generally do not recommend 4 wheel scooters for indoor use.
Can I take my scooter on an airplane?
All mobility scooters sold at Parentgiving have batteries that are "maintenance free" and are allowed on airlines. The Parentgiving Scooter Store strongly recommends that you check directly with your airline before attempting to travel with scooter batteries or a travel scooter.
What is the difference between a Mobility Scooter and a Power Wheelchair or Electric Wheelchair?
Scooters are navigated by using a tiller which steers the front wheel(s). Power wheelchairs often use a joystick for steering.
A mobility scooter seat is on a mounted stem — which allows the seat to rotate from side to side.
Scooters have base boards while Power Wheelchairs have footrests.
Scooters usually have much longer distance capacity on a single charge vs the limited range of Power Wheelchairs
The Buzzaround LX (Luxury) is the latest addition to the Golden Buzzaround scooter line. This new scooter is one of the industries only “Full-Time” / “All Day” scooters.
Mobility scooters offer a long list of benefits. Seniors who struggle to get around can use them to travel indoors and outdoors in comfort. Medical issues no longer need to be a barrier to living life. The following are just a few of the advantages.
Regain Independence: Mobility scooters give you independence. Sometimes, if you have mobility issues, you might feel like you have only two options: stay home or burden someone else. Even if friends and family are happy to help, seniors often want to be able to do things by themselves. And staying at home all the time to avoid mobility issues isn't healthy or happy. Mobility scooters eliminate this tough choice. With a mobility good scooter, the elderly can get around like they use to. Shopping, community activities, fun at the local park, visits to children or grandchildren-all these outings are on the table again. People with medical issues can safely go where they please, without feeling like a burden on anyone. Mobility scooters offer unparalleled ease of transportation for seniors in need.
Prevents Accidents: A trustworthy scooter can also prevent falls. Without one, a senior might push themselves too long or too far, resulting in an injury. It's easy to get tired or lose balance and slip. Scooters offer stability and endurance, allowing people to travel further without risk. Walkers can offer stability, but only electric mobility scooters provide the ability to go longer distances unhindered.
Prevents Overexertion: Mobility scooters can prevent over-exertion. Particularly for individuals with medical issues, scooters can help them avoid exhaustion and over-exertion. Anyone with physical disabilities, with weak body strength, or who needs an oxygen tank risks straining themselves if they work too hard. A scooter takes the burden of walking off their shoulders, so they can travel further and breathe easier. Physical exertion from moving needn't be a danger anymore.
Accelerate Healing: Great mobility scooters also help you heal and recover faster. Putting strain on recent injuries is obviously a recipe for disaster, but scooters take the pressure off-often literally! You can use a scooter to stay mobile while letting your body rest and recover from any healing injuries. This can relieve your muscles and joints and shorten recovery times from injuries or sicknesses. Scooters also make getting fresh air easier, and that's certainly not bad for your health, either.
Easy to Transport: Modern mobility scooters are simple to transport. You can find scooters that break down into 5 or fewer pieces that are easy to move in a car or even just a trunk. This way, you can take them everywhere with ease. It also allows the scooters to be dual-purpose-you can use them indoors and outside worry-free.
Natural Appearance: Mobility scooters don't look like other mobility devices. Sometimes, seniors feel self-conscious in power chairs or using other medical assistance. Mobility scooters look and feel fun, and the right scooter will earn you compliments. They can be less like a chair and more like a golf cart or other fun way to travel.
More Affordable: Finally, mobility scooters are inexpensive. Some medical equipment can run thousands of dollars, but you can find mobility scooters for less than $1,000. In the world of medical devices, they're affordable choices. Many patients even choose to pay for them out of pocket, but you might be covered by your insurance. Yet, mobility scooters might not be the right choice for everyone. Let's take a look at a few of the reasons they may not be the best choice for your needs.
What are the Disadvantages of Mobility Scooters?
Generally, mobility scooters are a good choice that can help seniors gain the mobility they need, but in some cases, they can hold disadvantages as well for consumers as well. Let's take a look at a few of those.
Difficulty Transferring: In order to use a mobility scooter, an individual must be able to step onto its base while avoiding the handlebars. For some seniors, this can be difficult. This is especially the case for those struggling with balance and leg strength and can result in a significant risk of falling.
Scooters Possess a Wide Turning Radius: Due to the spacing of the wheels and the handlebar scooters have a wide turning radius. This means that most models require a good deal of space in order to turn around. Often this may not be an issue depending on how the scooter will be used but it should definitely be planned on.
Is a Mobility Scooter Right for You?
A mobility scooter is an investment and you want to be sure that it is the right choice for your mobility issues. In many cases, a mobility scooter can be an incredible tool that helps seniors and others struggling with mobility issues to regain their independence and enjoy life to its fullest. With age, many individuals lose mobility whether it is arthritis, injuries, accidents, or declining health it can make it difficult for individuals to get around and retain their independence. But, a mobility scooter is an affordable way to help restore seniors' ability to navigate and move without assistance.
A mobility scooter may be right for anyone struggling walking for an extended period of time, particularly those experiencing difficulty walking with assistance from walkers, canes, or crutches. They are also extremely handy for those that need supplementary oxygen and should conserve energy. Finally, those struggling with constant joint pain such as from arthritis will typically also benefit from a mobility scooter.
Should I Choose an Electric Mobility Scooter or a Power Wheelchair?
A scooter and wheelchair are similar-looking mobility devices that are often mistaken for each other by those inexperienced with assistive devices. However, though these two devices offer many of the same benefits they contain numerous differences that make them optimal for different users.
First of all, scooters use a tiller to control their ability to turn and this requires some degree of arm strength, trunk control, and fine motor ability to ride. They also have a far wider turning radius than power wheelchairs and as a result, are more suited for use in open areas such as the outdoors or modern homes with a moderate degree of space. Three-wheel models can make up for part of these turning limitations however will sacrifice some degree of stability as a result.
Additionally, a mobility scooter also is generally far more affordable than a power wheelchair making it a great option for those with less severe mobility issues that do not yet require a power wheelchair for all of their day-to-day activities. Also, a mobility scooter is generally far easier to transport as well with many models being capable of being broken down or folded to fit in a trunk and be lifted up and down by a lift.
Power wheelchairs are typically controlled by a joystick which requires far less effort and control than operating a mobility scooter. These are more suited for those with severe disabilities particularly for those that may struggle with controlling the scooter for long periods. Unlike a mobility scooter, they often possess up to six wheels leaving them capable of making sharper turns to operate in extremely confined locations. This means that a power wheelchair may also be better for those who primarily need it those intending to primarily use them inside of their home or other tight spaces.
However, for those looking for a way to enjoy time with their family or to use in the outside of their homes such as for picking up groceries an electric mobility scooter is an economical solution that is perfect for carrying both people and cargo everywhere you need to go. Seniors everywhere find that mobility scooters often offer a better suspension that absorbs shock and makes long trips easier and more relaxing.
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