People who need assistance with mobility now have far more choices available to them than they did way back when the first wheelchair was invented. The options include manual wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs, and mobility scooters.
These choices allow users to carefully consider the easiest way for them to travel and what works for one person might not be the next person’s ideal choice.
Electric mobility scooters allows each person to decide what level of mobility they need and how comfortable they want their own personal chair to be.
The freedom that comes with feeling more independent allows the scooter user to participate more fully in an active life.
Moving around his own house, yard and neighborhood can feel like quite an accomplishment after not being able to do so on his own for a long time.
Scooters often allow shut-ins to visit new places, participate in shopping and going out with friends.
Uses Of Electric Mobility Scooters
There are many reasons that people choose to use a electric mobility scooter.
One of the most major reasons is that it can give a person more access to the world because he can be more mobile on his own instead of depending on another person for assistance.
Another reason is that someone might not be comfortable walking long distances or on surfaces that can change without notice.
If there is a bump in the floor or cracks in the walkway it can sometimes be difficult for someone to regain their balance and stability.
Further reasons to use an electric scooter includes that it can be difficult to move around in a manual wheelchair sometimes.
A manual wheelchair can get heavy when a friend or family member has to push it. It can also be difficult to push through small spaces and an electric scooter will be easier to guide because there is not someone pushing it.
The manual wheelchair also can often be difficult to fold up and put away, it can be difficult to get someone to fix a part, and the tires sometimes go flat or pick up nails.
Electric scooters have more durable tires than a manual push wheelchair, and they can travel to more locations.
Advantages
Scooters are often more comfortable than regular wheelchairs and they can be designed to custom fit the person the scooter is intended for.
Scooters also allow the user to get around quicker than walking or a manual wheelchair could.
Some scooters are designed for outdoor use and all around terrain, which benefits the user because he does not have to switch chairs to go from one place to another.
A scooter allows a person to have a higher level of dignity because he does not have to ask for help to get around.
Disadvantages
Scooters usually need to have their battery charged frequently which could leave a user stranded if he does not have a second, charged battery available to him.
If a component of the scooter breaks the user could be without their scooter for a period of time while it is getting fixed. If a wheel gets damaged it can be slightly expensive to fix it.
How to Control The Scooter
The mechanical controller is designed for people of limited abilities to be able to use it with little effort. It is usually a joystick like you would find on an old video game controller.
Pushing towards the front will allow the scooter to move ahead, pushing back will move the scooter backwards, pushing to the left and right will move the scooter to the left and right.
Some scooters do have a flat panel with push buttons instead of a joy stick. Pushing these buttons might be easier on a person’s hands than using a joystick which is why the companies like to offer a variety of selections to help operate the scooters.
Other scooter makers will allow the user to design a controller that will work best for the user’s situation.
An example of this is marking the different movement options with colors so the user will know that pushing a green button will move him forward while pushing a blue button will move her backwards. It all depends on the individual’s needs.
Types Of Electric Mobility Scooters
Three Wheel Scooter
A three wheel electrical scooter has two wheels stationed in the back of the machine and one on the front for stability and balance.
Four Wheel Scooters
Four wheel scooters are often used in outdoor and long distance traveling. They have a wider base than the three wheel scooters and they can travel a bit faster, also.
The four wheel scooters often feel more stable when traveling on uneven ground because they are not as likely to tip as a three wheel scooter might.
Heavy Duty Scooters
If the person who needs a scooter is over 350 pounds a heavy duty scooter can be ordered for him.
These scooters are designed not to break under a large load and they are designed with wider seats, leather backing and will take a large amount of weight comfortably.
Electric Mobility Scooter Brands
Spinlife mobility scooters are one brand of scooters. They are designed to be durable and rugged and give the user a lot of use for their money.
They allow users to bill medicade for their scooters so that there are no out of pocket expenses if there is approval.
Zip’r Mobility is a type of scooter that is available all across the United States and Canada. It is known for the reliability and lower cost than many of the other brands of scooters.
Shop Rider offers three wheeled scooters that allow the user access to plenty of accessories to help make them comfortable such as basket s and cup holders.
Pride Mobility scooters come in three wheels and four wheels and can be adjusted to suite the user’s needs.
ActiveCare scooters have a more comfortable seat and allow the users to sit for longer periods of time. The padded seat and the leather armrests are designed to keep the user’s comfort in mind.