The Complete Guide to Mobility Scooters for Seniors

The Complete Guide to Mobility Scooters for Seniors

Most of you have heard about mobility scooters, but only a few have complete information on it. In this article, we are going to discuss mobility scooters and their purpose. With the help of this article, you can choose the right mobility scooter for yourself or your ageing loved ones based on your needs. So, without wasting much time, let’s dig deep into it.

Mobility Scooter

Image by TheOtherKev from Pixabay

A mobility scooter is mobility support secondary to a wheelchair but made like a motorscooter. It helps people who have discomfort in moving around freely. Mobility scooters are also known as electric scooters, which includes an armrest and a comfortable seating placed over the rear wheels along with handles controlling the front wheels. There are different types of mobility scooters available in the market, namely: lightweight, large size, heavyweight, and folding mobility scooter

Purpose

Mobility scooter’s primary purpose is to make life easier for elders and people with mobility issues. All those aspects of life that one couldn’t enjoy due to mobility issues are enjoyable with the help of a mobility scooter. It gives them the freedom to travel at their convenience through any terrain.

Driving a mobility scooter is as simple as driving a car. They are portable, easy to fold and carry it along to any other destination. You can use them both indoors and outdoors. Elders can participate in activities, go grocery shopping, or even visit events without anyone’s help. A folding mobility scooter is an excellent choice as it is lightweight, and you can use it both indoors and outdoors.

Who can use it?

Many factors lead to problems that can limit one’s freedom of movement. It can be an ailment or a sickness like a stroke, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, or due to old age. A mobility scooter is not right for you, in the case of the below situations:

• If you have eyesight problems, making it difficult to navigate.
• Mental challenges, also, are a barrier to operating this bike.
• If you face difficulty in sitting steadily, then it is difficult for you to sit strapped in mobility scooters.
• If you cannot sit for a long time in a single posture, mobility scooters may be challenging.
• If you cannot get on and off the scooter all by yourself, you need to be careful about the mobility scooter that you are planning to use.

The process behind buying a mobility scooter

You require a doctor’s approval to get on a mobility scooter. Firstly, talk to your insurance firm to understand what they cover under your policy. You can also write down how you feel that a mobility scooter can benefit you. It would make it easy for you to discuss these points with your doctor. The doctor can accordingly suggest the right scooter model for you. It is essential to have proper insurance coverage for your scooter. Getting approval from a doctor is necessary for funding coverage for your mobility scooter and making clear that it is needed.

What to Consider while Buying One?

A mobility scooter will assist you in your day to day activity. Therefore, it is essential that you understand every feature of a bike and how to operate it. You can start by first searching online and collecting details of different models.

There are a few factors that you must look into while choosing one. The below features will help you in deciding the right mobility scooter for you.

1. Function

Firstly, evaluate a mobility scooter based on what added functionality this would be adding into your life. That is, you should consider your bike based on what limits your mobility and how this scooter will ease that up. Consider the places that you will be travelling to and the kind of terrains it has, the distance you will be moving in one charge, and whether you need this for more indoors or outdoors purposes.

2. Size

Mobility scooters are available in different sizes. You must consider questions like- does the place you live or travel to, has the space for navigating a bike. Size is an essential factor to consider for your requirements and conditions. It will decide the battery life of your scooter, the amount of body-weight it can carry, and the distance you travel in a day.

3. Scooter layout

Scooter layout means the look and feel of the vehicle. Sit on the vehicle to see if your hands can reach the handle, and your legs are comfortable. The user of the electric scooter should be able to reach all controls with ease without any discomfort.

4. Seat

An ideal mobility scooter should have a big seat that can support you adequately and which should give you nice comfort when you sit on it. Some of the mobility scooters have the option of 360-degree rotation, a movable hand rest, and flexible backs. It makes it easier for older people to get on and off the bike.

5. Battery

A mobility scooter mostly operates on battery. The bigger the mobility scooter, the more massive the battery is. Research and ask the dealer about the miles a scooter can cover in one charge. Depending on the model and size, the life of the battery can vary. Also, think about the places you will be able to charge the scooter in case the battery gets discharged midway.

6. Storage

Every mobility scooter has a storage facility either in the front or in the back. Check the size of the storage basket and see if it is enough for your purpose, based on what you will be carrying in that. Also, find out the amount of weight it can hold. A mobility scooter should have enough space to store your shopping goods and to carry out your day to day tasks

A mobility scooter is going to lift the spirits of people who depend on others. According to your needs, the type of mobility scooter will vary. Before buying your scooter, don’t forget to give a test run. Ask a lot of questions to the dealer before purchasing the right scooter. Always remember to go for comfort, safety, and space rather than just style and looks.

Featured photo by Josh Appel on Unsplash