The right mobility solution is out there, one of which may be a mobility scooter. Are you looking for something that is more comfortable than a wheelchair but not as expensive as a power chair? Then the likes of a mobility scooter may be the perfect mobility solution for you. However, how do you go about deciding which mobility scooter is right for you? It is simple! Let us at Independent Living Specialists help you decide!
The Requirement
One of the few things you need to ask yourself are the Ws of every purchasing decision; the why, where and what! Essentially, it covers why you want a mobility scooter, where you will be using it, and what your requirements are in term of specifications. You need to ask yourself, which mobility scooter is right me based on the types of journeys you wish to partake in using the mobility scooter. You also need to consider the terrain, the size, and body weight it should be able to accommodate, as well as the storage options, accessories you would like to have and not to mention the budget. These are all very important factors and a great place to start.
Uses for Your Mobility Scooter
If you are looking for a mobility scooter, you need to know where you want to use it. First, ask yourself, would you like to use it indoors or outdoors, and if so, what kind of terrain should it withstand. Whilst almost all mobility scooter models are ideal for the indoors, the type that can be used outdoors relies a lot on the various specifications such as ground clearance, manoeuvrability, suspension systems, distance between charges, and being able to take on an incline. Are you are looking at forgiving outdoor terrain such as smooth floors or rough & bumpy roads. If you are looking to use it outdoors, then you have the choice between 3-wheel and 4-wheel mobility scooters, where the former are ideal for terrain that is more forgiving and the latter for rougher terrain. Consider pavements, malls, and smoother terrain for the 3-wheel variety. In the event you are planning on using mobility scooter on the road, purchasing accessories would be ideal such as a canopy, lights and blinkers, a visibility flag and more are perfect additions to your purchase.
Storing Your Mobility Scooter
Storing away your mobility scooter or it being ready for travel is important. There are some models of mobility scooters, (such as the Pride Quest S19), that are foldable and easy to transport. Others can be disassembled easily to be put away at home or into a vehicle for transport. If you are planning to use large mobility scooter indoors, you need to make sure the width of the scooter can get through your doors and be able to take tight corners.
The Specifications
Making sure you look at the product details or specifications of the mobility scooter is important; often comparing them to your top choices is a good rule of thumb when making a purchasing decision towards a mobility scooter. Things like weight capacity (or maximum safe working limit (SWL)), width, length (this may be important to understanding how much space you have between the seat and the tiller), ground clearance, tiller radius and so forth. Extras such as suspension, drive duration between charges, ability to climb up a hill on incline, are also good to know!
