Why is a Mobility Scooter best for me?
In the world of disability, staying active, mobile, and most importantly, independent can be a difficult task without the right advice and products.
One of the best options is a mobility scooter, as this will give you the freedom to get out of the house and get back to familiar routines. But how do you know if a mobility scooter is the best aid for you?
What are the benefits of using a mobility scooter?
There is a huge range of mobility scooters all over the nation that are suitable for many uses. For grocery shopping and everyday use, rougher terrain, and travel, with foldable and dismantlable designs, catering for different user weight brackets and car hoists for those unable to lift the products. Mobility scooters have a few battery options too, lighter weight lithium or traditional SLA ones. Many with safety features, such as; battery life indicators, headlights, reversing beeps, puncture proof tyres, some having added suspension and speed reduction system for cornering.
If you have physical limitations, mobility scooters are a great choice as you have the ability to move around independently without having to rely on someone to push you around, or try to manoeuvre a conventional wheelchair.
Some mobility scooters are suitable for travel abroad if that’s what you are looking for. There are plenty of travel and lightweight scooters available to fit your needs. You can take these on public transport, or flights, depending on your needs and intended use but as this is a specialised area getting the correct information and advice is crucial.
However, if you are looking for something more robust with higher speeds, or even for a scooter to handle all different types of terrain, a heavy-duty mobility scooter will be the best fit for you.
Regardless of the type of mobility scooter you decide to go for, you can expect the majority of scooters to easily operate on both indoor and outdoor surfaces, be easy to steer and control with an adjustable handlebar and tiller, come with a variety of accessories for convenience (from bags to baskets, and more).
Mobility Scooter vs Electric Wheelchair – which is better for you?
Electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters effectively serve the same basic purpose – helping those who are less abled and with reduced mobility travel around with ease and comfort. Mobility scooters were often considered to be predominantly for those with some level of mobility vs electric wheelchairs being reserved predominantly for those with higher levels of disability, who need to get around inside their own homes as well out and about.
In recent years, the key benefits of each product that separated the two have seemingly dwindled as technology has advanced. But there are still a few major differences between them both.
The main differences between Electric Wheelchairs and Mobility Scooters are:
- The way they are controlled – Electric wheelchairs are commonly controlled with a joystick on either the right or left armrest, whereas mobility scooters are controlled through a lever on the tiller (A ‘T’- shaped handlebar at the front of the scooter).
- Number of wheels – Electric wheelchairs usually have 4 or 6 wheels depending on the functionality and style of chair. Mobility scooters usually have 3 to 5 wheels.
- Comfort – Electric wheelchairs can be highly customisable to fit the needs of the user, as they are likely to be confined to it for the majority of the day. Mobility scooters are less customisable in comparison, but can still be adjusted to feel comfortable for the user.
- Transportability – Unless you have a mobility adapted vehicle it’s harder to get electric wheelchair/ powerchair into a car, unless of course it can be folded and stored into the boot. Mobility scooters are generally more transportable, depending on the class of scooter as they can be foldable or dismantlable to fit easily into a car, as well as coming with the option of hoists to aid people when lifting it in and out.
How to choose between an electric wheelchair and a mobility scooter
Mobility scooters are a great option if you intend to venture outside regularly. They are a great for going to the shops, a park or other public places, for long days out with family, or if you wish to travel with the machine or take it on the road. However, caution is advised as there are some places that don’t allow mobility scooters inside due to their larger size (though this isn’t overly common and most places will allow them).
Electric wheelchairs are better suited for people who are less able and require more support and can’t stand or walk unaided. Modern electric wheelchairs are often made of lightweight materials, they can be folded down to a more manageable size for storage and transport.
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