What To Look For In Mobility Scooters

For people with arthritis, chronic illness, or other mobility issues, a scooter can be a wonderful asset to help get around and live your life. A mobility scooter can be more ideal for some people as opposed to a cane or a walker, since scooters don’t require the same kind of balance. You may think that they’re a bulky, awkward option for mobility, but technology has greatly improved their function over the years.

However, not all mobility scooters are the same. In fact, some scooters are recommended over others, depending on your lifestyle. If you love spending time outdoors, or just need a little help maneuvering around your home, you’ll want to find a scooter that’s designed for such spaces. Looking online, the number of options is overwhelming. Because scooters are an expensive investment, you’ll want to do careful research beforehand to ensure you’re choosing the best one for your needs.

Here are a few things to consider before purchasing your mobile scooter:

Travel Scooters

Also called “portable scooters,” these are great if you travel. They’re lightweight and designed to fold or easily disassemble so they can fit in the storage compartment of a plane, bus, or inside your car’s trunk. They also come with swivel seats and storage baskets. You won’t be held back on your vacation by dealing with a heavy, stubborn piece of machinery.

Full-Size Scooters

Easy to maneuver indoors but durable enough to use outside, full-size scooters come with high backs and reclining seats to optimize your comfort. They’re great for use with long distances since they use large batteries to operate and can hold up to 500 pounds. The downside of full-size scooters is that they don’t disassemble if you need to travel. Not every full-size scooter can fit inside a car, even with the seats folded down, so you’ll want to make sure your car can hold it before making your purchase.

Heavy-Duty Scooters

With a wider base and bigger tire, these scooters are made for the rough terrain of the outdoors. Their large motors make them well equipped to handle steep hills, inclines, and other rough surfaces. For bariatric users, these scooters are ideal for their larger seats and additional legroom.

3-Wheel

Due to their tighter turn radius, these scooters are more ideal for small indoor spaces than 4-wheelers. They work best on smooth floors as opposed to grass, gravel, and other rough surfaces, making it less stable for outdoor use. But these scooters are still safe to use outside if you stick to paved areas, like sidewalks.

4-Wheel

These mobility scooters have the highest capacity for weight. They are also the best choice for outdoor use on rough surfaces and considered safer than 3-wheeled scooters, since they give you more balance, making the scooter less likely to tip.

Scooters and Mobility Help In South Florida

For over 39 years, Affordable Medical Supply has provided workable solutions for medical providers and families in South Florida. From medical services and equipment to care-based decisions, our compassionate, knowledgeable staff is here to help. For those in need of equipment to help with mobility, we offer a variety of scooters, walkers, power chairs, and more.

Conveniently, you don’t have to purchase a scooter if now is not the right time. If you or a relative are planning to travel, we provide rental equipment for your use. Our renting fees are low to assist with patients who may not immediately qualify for benefits through their insurance. Affordable Medical Supply allows you to rent as-needed equipment for home use, assisted living communities, rehab facilities, vacations, teaching locations, and more. Stop by our Tamarac location or call us today toll-free at 866-484-7599 to find out how we can help you!

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