Mobility scooters are an excellent option for older adults with mobility issues, promoting independence and self-sufficiency by allowing them to carry out daily activities without assistance.
Before purchasing a mobility scooter, it’s essential to carefully consider specific features to ensure you select an option that best suits your needs. The right device will provide a safe and enjoyable experience while keeping you mobile across various situations.
At Seasons Retirement Communities, residents are encouraged to engage in healthy practices and activities to lead fun, active, and independent lifestyles. Also, their residences allow easy access by vehicles like wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
This article discusses the different types of mobility scooters and essential features to consider when purchasing this device.
Types of Mobility Scooters
Portable scooters
Also known as travel scooters, these types are meant for people with active lifestyles who are always on-the-go, and wouldn’t want to install a lift on the back of their cars or depend entirely on the bus. They are the lightest scooters available.
As the name suggests, one can easily transport portable scooters because they are foldable and can be disassembled into three or four parts without special tools. Hence, they can be lifted in the trunk of a car or stowed on a plane with relative ease.
A typical portable scooter has a maximum speed of 4mph, so they are reserved for people who make shorter journeys.
wheel scooters
wheel scooters are ideal for indoor and home use because they have a tighter turn radius, so they can easily avoid obstacles and maneuver doorways and corners.
Although 3-wheel scooters are far less stable than the 4-wheel types, this difference in stability is not distinct and only noticeable in rough terrains. Hence, you should avoid using a 3-wheel on shaky grounds.
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wheel scooters
wheel scooters offer superior mobility, primarily when used on rough grounds. They are usually bigger and meant for people with problems with their balance, even when on a scooter.
That being said, because of the four wheels and larger turn radius, these scooter types are less maneuverable than their 3-wheel counterparts.
Features to Look Out For In a Mobility Scooter
Comfort
When choosing a mobility scooter, you should consider how you may feel after using the device for a lengthy period — whether exhausted or still refreshed. By analyzing the seats and backrests, you can judge if you’ll be comfortable in a scooter. Do you prefer a high chair with a headrest? Or is recline angle a characteristic you like?
Most scooters have adjustable armrests and seats. You may not have to worry about the seat’s recline angle because you can always adjust it to your preference.
Some scooter manufacturers install rotating seats in their models, making it easier for users to enter or alight from their scooters.
Other features to look out for when gauging how comfortable a mobility scooter might be for you include:
- Leg positioning.
- Leg room (especially for taller persons).
- Distance from the ground (particularly for shorter people).
Safety
You should choose a scooter with features that best suits your safety needs. For instance, a person who regularly moves at night should go for a scooter with powerful front-facing lights for excellent visibility, even in the dark. It would be a plus if the device also had reflectors to alert vehicles behind you of your presence.
Meanwhile, older adults with arthritis should consider scooters with curved tillers, and ergonomic grip handles for improved cushioning and grip.
Additionally, it’s crucial to check for characteristics like large wheels, pneumatic tyres, and full suspension, as they all ensure safe and smooth rides.
Battery Life
Electric scooters use batteries to function. You’ll need one with long-lasting batteries if you travel long distances with your scooter.
First and foremost, check the voltage of the scooter — the power the battery delivers to the scooter to enable movement. You’re likely to encounter higher voltages in the batteries of larger scooters because they need more power to move their vast frame.
Also, look out for the battery capacity — often measured in amps per hour (Ah) — as this determines how long your scooter will function before requiring a charge. For example, a mobility scooter with a 30Ah battery will travel longer than one featuring a 13Ah battery.
Portability
If you would love to carry your scooter around in a car or on a plane, portability should be a top priority when choosing this mobility device.
There are several lightweight scooters available, which are often foldable and can be disassembled for easy transportation. That being said, it’s worth noting that such portable scooters rarely have potent batteries.
Therefore, by buying a foldable scooter, you’ll have to give up long-distance movements for portability.
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Manoeuvrability
If your scooter is mainly meant for indoor use, maneuverability is an essential feature to consider, so you can easily navigate tight corners and narrow doorways. The 3-wheel scooter is the best option as it offers superior maneuverability and a tighter turn radius.
Also, check the T-shaped steering column (tillers). Thinner tillers help for faster and easier turns and are more common in smaller scooters. However, they are less stable than scooters with thicker tillers.
Speed
A maximum speed of 4 mph is sufficient for indoor scooters. However, if you want to move outside, especially over long distances, you will need a much faster mobility scooter.
Some scooters can travel up to 15 mph, but with such types, you should slow down before turning to prevent a fall.
Endnote
While there are a variety of mobility scooters available on the market, not all of them may be suitable for your situation. Before purchasing a mobility scooter, consider the features above to ensure you select one that satisfies your needs.
Safety and comfort are two of the most vital factors to look out for when buying a scooter, so it’s a good idea to ensure your mobile device satisfies both qualities.
