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Posts Tagged ‘Scooters’

New Scooters

Electric mobility scooters, power chairs, disability scooters. These are all terms for exactly the same device which is gaining increased popularity and providing mobility for seniors and the handicapped at a fantastic rate.  Most seniors that are hunting for one of these scooters may wish to know if they are covered by their insurance plan or medicare.  For many cases the patient does not qualify for coverage even though an electric mobility scooter mayprovide them with freedom and a higher quality of life.

Fortunately whether or not medicare or a private insurance policy does not cover the cost of electric mobility scooters because they are not medically necessary, you may still be able to afford one, as the prices have dropped significantly lately. If you are in need of a very affordable electric scooter then you may even consider purchasing a used motor scooter Depending on your need outside of budget, the most popular kinds of electric scooters are the 3 wheel, 4 wheel, travel, and heavy duty styles.

The 3 wheel mobility scooters have a tighter turn radius and allow greater mobility in the house. They are also capable of higher speeds and long battery life, and they are created for use on relatively smooth terrain. They are ideal for short trips to the market or driving around in a neighborhood.   The 4 wheel scooters make the perfect choice for longer outside use, as they tend to have larger tires and much longer battery life. The 4 wheels provide much greater stability. Most 3 and 4 wheel electric mobility scooters demand a scooter lift in order to be transferred in a vehicle.

Travel scooters are generally three wheel scooters that disassemble into 3 or 4 manageable pieces that can effortlessly be transported in the trunk of a automobile. They generally have compressed and lightweight frames that give a lot more mobility in tighter spaces. Heavy duty scooters were created for patients who have become disabled by morbid obesity. These scooters have sturdy frames, well designed suspensions, anti-tips, and broader seats, so they can support weight over 350 lbs.

Advances in personal mobility products including scooters and electric wheelchairs have returned convenience, freedom, and independence to many seniors suffering from limited mobility. These advances, because there are now so many quality choices, have also necessitated a thorough review of options and needs to ensure that the eventual purchase of the mobility product results in the best solution for each individual. The following is a review of both personal mobility products including descriptions as well as the strengths and weaknesses of each.

Mobility Scooters:

These scooters allow for low cost mobility without the psychological weight of being confined to a wheelchair. Options include a variety of styles, colors, designs and upgrades and cover the full spectrum of uses from shopping to navigating uneven terrain.   These scooters come in three different model types:

* Three wheel – These models typically offer better handling in tight quarters and more leg room than other options.
* Four wheel – Built for a bearing weight of up to 500 pounds, these scooters offer more stability and heavy duty mobility than the three wheel mobility scooters.
* Compact scooters – For situations where storage or transportation options are limited, these scooters fold down to allow for placement in smaller areas whether in the house, car, or van.     
Steering and control of electric mobility scooters is usually done via handlebars much like those seen on bicycles and work best for owners that are not suffering from upper body mobility issues. Top speeds average around 8 miles per hour, with higher power models usable on roads, uneven terrain, and up steep hills. Another advantage of these scooters is that transporting them requires only a simple trailer which can easily be attached to the back of a car or van.
Personal mobility scooters are an extremely cost-effective solution toward re-building an individual’s mobility, freedom and independence. Scooters, ranging in price from $1,000 for a basic model to $5,000 for one that is fully loaded, are much lower in price than electric powered wheelchairs.

Electric wheelchairs:
Advances in electric wheelchairs have all but eliminated the old perception of the “loaner chairs” available at airports, shopping malls and amusement parks and replaced it with a personal mobility option loaded with high tech features and capabilities. These chairs come with four to six wheels, easy maneuverability, and programmable joysticks for ease of navigation.

Built for individuals with greater mobility issues, these electric wheelchairs offer durability, stability, and a wide array of seat movement options including motorized stand, tilt, support, and recline functions which can be tailored to individual needs.
Three major drawbacks of electric wheelchairs are that they don’t fold down, their considerable weight, and their cost. The weight and non-foldable nature of the chairs severely limits their use with standard cars, lifts and light duty trailers. These chairs function much better in customized vans where four point tie-downs make for a much safer and stable ride. Cost-wise, electric power wheelchairs are the most expensive type of personal mobility vehicle with prices for upgraded electric wheelchairs going up to around $15,000.
Determining the right personal mobility product comes down to an assessment of needs.

Mobility scooters are work best for people who:

* Do not have upper body mobility issues
* Are using the scooter for relatively brief periods of time
* Will need to transport the scooter in a car

Electric power wheelchairs are probably best suited for those who:
* Need joystick based navigation due to upper body mobility issues
* Need posture support
* Will be in the chair for extended periods of time

A manual wheelchair is an excellent solution for anyone whose physical problem, injury, or illness affects only their ability to walk but not their physical condition in general. People with mobility problems caused by other conditions may require extra help in order to remain mobile and independent. These people may require motorized wheelchairs, scooters, or power-base chairs.

Motorized wheelchairs come in three basic designs: power wheelchairs, motorized versions of manual wheelchairs, power-base wheelchairs, heavier wheel bases with a mounted chair, and scooters, a platform with a motor and chair in back and a steering mechanism in front.

A physical therapist or doctor can help you decide what kind of mobility device you should use if your physical condition includes a lack of muscle strength, motor skills, or coordination which lowers your mobility. If you are currently in physical condition to walk short distances you can use a power scooter for longer distances, but if your doctor thinks your condition may worsen in the future, you may want to get a power wheelchair now instead of later. Power wheelchairs are more compact and easier to use at home, do not require strength or motor ability to operate, and without the platform and steering apparatus, you can sit in a power wheelchair as easily as in any other chair.

Not being able to easily get in and out of a power scooter is a good reason to get a power wheelchair. Power-base wheelchairs and scooters have similar seating options, with seats resembling car driver seats or “pilot seats”, or seats which resemble office seats. Because you don’t have to step up onto a platform, a power wheelchair can be a better option than a power scooter even if you are capable of walking with a cane or walker but need a motorized device for longer distances. Comfortable recliners are also available with an electric lift for people who have trouble standing from a sitting position. The chair pushes you forward to a standing position, where you can then walk with a cane or walker.

If you don’t have any trouble sitting and standing and you have the necessary arm strength and coordination but due to your physical condition cannot walk extended distances or push yourself in a manual wheelchair, a power scooter may be right for you. The steering apparatus requires some arm mobility, but if necessary you can buy a model designed to be operated with one hand. If you have no arm mobility, a power wheelchair can be operated with minimal hand strength and coordination. Weight can be a factor for some wheelchair or scooter users, but heavy duty models are available. Heavy duty power-base wheelchairs can be purchased which carry more than 600 pounds.

Talk to your doctor about your mobility situation and what you can do to keep moving. Just about any mobility problem can be solved with motorized wheelchairs, scooters, and power-based wheelchairs.

I make it a frequent habit to browse forums, blogs, YouTube etc. in search of innovative transportation and technology. It is not until recently that I noticed the plethora of discussions regarding three wheel scooters. Granted, three wheel scooters are not “innovative technology” they have been readily available for decades. Most notably known as “mobility scooters”, these vehicles are normally catered to the handicapped or elder population. However, the three wheel scooter is not necessarily feeble and its goes well beyond its traditional stigma as an “elder” person’s transportation.

While mobility scooters maybe geared towards an older population that does not mean they lack performance by any means. Let us take for example your normal two wheel scooter that your kids ride. The two wheel scooters usually weigh around 35-70 lbs compared to the 3 wheel electric scooters beefy 250 lbs. However, the speeds are nearly identical at 15 mph. That’s right, little Joey’s two wheel scooter is just as fast as his grandparents’ 3 wheel electric scooters.

Not to worry, it gets worse. Mobility scooters offer better stabilization (sit down with three wheels), much more cargo space, longer range, and in most cases an extended warranty. Considering its purpose, the mobility scooters are designed to be as slim as possible in order to squeeze into doorways. There is one more benefit that is often overlooked, versatility. Ride your two wheel scooter in a mall or grocery store and see how long it takes till security catches you. On 3 3 wheel electric scootersno one will look twice. The general population has not only accepted the presence of mobility scooters in buildings but encourage the practice. So you are considering a 3 wheel electric scooters for whatever purpose, what is a promising choice?

The trade off to all this fine luxury is weight. Three wheel scooters are heavy which reduces its convenience to simply store it. If you are planning a trip you will need a truck or a lift. If you decide to purchase a cheaper scooter you often sacrifice range and some amenities. Some units allow more freedom by offering more range and speed, around 15 miles per hour. This allows the rider to travel much longer distances, to perhaps the grocery store, without packing the scooter into a transport vehicle. These units cost more but the freedom often makes up for the increase in cost. So you are considering a three wheel scooter for whatever purpose, which one is a promising choice?

It depends on what you’re looking for in the scooter. There are numerous companies that offer a multitude of choices ranging in size and colors. A good portion of people looking to buy mobility scooters are elderly or handicapped in some way that compromises physical motor function. More expensive units, costing well over a couple of grand, come with finer amenities like leather, seat belts, LCD displays etc. However, some manufacturer’s like X-Treme offer an affordable version of the mobility scooter, the XB-420M. These three wheel scooters have excellent stability but lack luxuries like on-board screen displays. They come with a seat, basket and three wheels that keep the cost down but offer an immense range, 30 miles, and speed.