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BUYING A MOBILITY SCOOTER
Purchasing a mobility scooter can be a great first step toward your newfound independence. Before you decide on which mobility scooter is best, however, there are things that you should consider that will greatly help you with your overall purchase decision.
First you should consider whether you need a mobility scooter for mostly indoor mobility or outdoor uses. There are many styles and sizes of mobility scooters available and some are better used for outdoor use than others. If you plan to spend many hours traveling outdoors then you will likely want to consider purchasing a 4 wheel scooter for better functionality in outdoor terrains.
You should also consider whether you will be driving your scooter on paved roads. In many areas, it is not legal to travel on roads in a mobility scooter, so be sure to check in your area for laws regarding having scooters on the road before you begin.
Next, be sure to determine whether your home will allow for the use of a mobility scooter. You will want to make sure that your doorways are wide enough to allow access, and if you have stairs within your home, or outside for entrance purposes, you may want to consider the additional purchase of a lift to help you to navigate the stairs in your scooter. You may also want to consider the amount of space that you have available to store your scooter when you are not using it. Although many take up minimal space, you will still want to determine if you have possibly a closet or corner where you can store it to ensure that it will not be in the walking path of you or your family or guests.
Comfort is one of the most important aspects of choosing your new mobility scooter. You want to choose a scooter that will be completely comfortable, particularly if you plan to spend much time in it. Check out several styles and notice any bonus features that will add to the comfort level.
Also, consider traveling with your mobility scooter. If you like to travel frequently, or need to for any reason, then you should ensure that you can attach a carrier to your vehicle, or that your vehicle has adequate trunk storage space to fit your mobility scooter into. Having a mobility scooter is an excellent way to gain independence, but if you can not take it with you when you travel, then you somewhat defeat the purpose of owning one.
Overall, determining your comfort level, home needs, and budget will help you in the process of finding and purchasing the mobility scooter that will best suit your individual needs. Once you have selected the best model for yourself, you can begin your journey into gaining back your independence.
CHOOSING BETWEEN A MOBILITY SCOOTER OR A POWER CHAIR
If you experience mobility difficulties and would like to become more independent, then choosing to purchase a mobility scooter or power chair is probably the first thing on your list. But how do you know which one you need? Should you purchase a mobility scooter or a power chair? By knowing what benefits come from owning each, you can make an informed decision and ultimately choose the mobility device that will better suit your individual needs.
As far as maneuverability is concerned, both mobility scooters and power chairs are easy to navigate and both give you much more independence to go where you want or need to go without the help of others. When you are considering the space that it takes to turn, however, there is a slight difference in the two. A power chair, for example can turn on a radius as small as 18 inches, while most mobility scooters require 32 inches for turning. If space is a major concern, then you may find a power chair more beneficial. Power chairs and mobility scooters can both be very easily navigated through narrow hallways, thresholds, and uneven surfaces, although if you are planning outdoor activities, you should consider that there are 4 wheel versions of mobility scooters that are ideally designed for outdoor use.
For adjustability to maintain your ultimate comfort, both power chairs and mobility scooters are very well designed. On a power chair, the armrests, footrests, and seat can all be adjusted and angled to a position that will allow you to find the most comfort. On a mobility scooter, you can adjust the seat and handlebars also, although you may not have as many adjustment options available.
If you are concerned at stability and safety in using a mobility device, rest assured that both a power chair and a mobility scooter are perfectly safe and you can set maximum speeds if it makes you feel more comfortable, so that you are always traveling within your comfort zone. Most power chairs, in addition, are equipped with wheels that protect against tipping. Many mobility scooters also have safety features installed, such as wheel locks, so that you can feel completely safe when using them.
Ultimately the decision on whether to purchase a mobility scooter or power chair will depend on your personal preferences, areas of concern, and your individual needs. Either mobility device will help you tremendously in the act of becoming more independent and getting around better than you could without them. Whichever device you decide on, make sure that you have researched all possible models to ensure that you have chosen the mobility device that will benefit you most, in terms of features, functionality, and budget.
ELECTRIC SCOOTERS
Knowing the types of electric scooters that are available available helps a person choose the right scooter for himself or a loved one. Each electric scooter type is designed to fill a specific role and which type a person buys depends on what the scooter will be used for. Portable models are designed for easier travel, three wheeled scooters allow extra leg room and are the most maneuverable scooter type, and four wheeled scooters provide a more steady base.
Portable scooters fold up so that they can be transported more easily. They are often not as sturdy as the standard three wheel scooters and their chairs are less comfortable. However, they are ideal for long trips. Many standard three wheeled scooters can also be packed in car trunks. Such three wheeled scooters may also be known as travel electric scooters, but travel electric scooters are usually larger in size than portable scooters and have a more stable wheel base.
Three wheeled electric scooters are what most people think of when they hear the phrase electric scooter. They are slightly less stable than their four wheeled counterparts, but three wheeled scooters are almost as stable and more maneuverable. Their seats are sturdier than the seats found on portable scooters and they provide more leg room than any of the other scooter types. They are also more maneuverable and capable of turning tighter corners.
Four wheeled scooters are so named because they have four wheels. Unlike three wheeled scooters that are designed for the relatively flat surfaces such as city streets and the aisles of a department store, four wheeled scooters are capable of handling rugged terrain and are more stable than three-wheeled models. Having four wheels may provide a psychological advantage to some users as the four wheels make the user feels the scooter is less likely to fall on its side. Electric scooter users who live in rural areas or who want to go on outdoor trails should consider investing in a rugged four wheeled version. The major drawback of four wheeled scooters is that they are less maneuverable than their three wheeled counterparts.
The different types of electric scooters have different uses, so know what the users needs are before deciding to purchase a specific type. Because even the least complex scooter type can cost several hundred dollars, buying the wrong one is an expensive mistake. Consider where the electric scooter will be used, how long it will be used and the local terrain which the rider needs to take it over before committing to any single electric scooter type.
