The Benefits of Using a Mobility Scooter for Daily Living
On the fence about getting a mobility scooter? Whether you’re shopping for yourself or for a loved one, there’s a lot to weigh up. Mobility scooters aren’t cheap, after all, so it’s important to do your research and be sure you’re making the right decision.
That’s where we come in. We’ve been supplying mobility equipment for almost four decades here at The Mobility Aids Centre, from walking aids through to wheelchairs and electric scooters – and we’ve seen first-hand how lives can be transformed with the right equipment in place.
Mobility scooters remain one of our most popular products, and for good reason. They offer a whole host of different benefits and are suitable for practically anyone with limited mobility, making them one of the most versatile and life-changing mobility products out there.
To help you ascertain whether or not a mobility scooter is right for you or your loved one, we’ve put together a list of the key benefits they have to offer. After we’ve explained each of these benefits, we’ll provide you with some top tips to help you choose the right scooter for your needs – and explain how you can save money by taking advantage of the Motability scheme.
Mobility scooter benefits explained
So, why do people use mobility scooters? The list of potential benefits will vary from person to person, but here are the most common ones…
Far greater independence
In our view, this is perhaps the single most significant benefit that a mobility scooter can offer: independence. We all crave a degree of freedom and independence from time to time, and scooters make that possible for those with limited mobility. From browsing your favourite shops at your own pace to soaking up the sunshine at a local beauty spot, mobility scooters allow you to live more independently and do things your own way.
Reduced risk of injury
Even if you are able to walk short distances unaided, there’s a high risk that you’ll incur additional injuries, potentially limiting your mobility further. Mobility scooters eliminate the risk of trips and falls, allowing you to move around safely and with minimal risk of injury.
More variation in daily life
If you have limited mobility, chances are there are many activities you’re simply not able to do any more. Mobility scooters can change this, allowing you to once again enjoy your local area and meet up with friends and family more easily. They can even allow you to travel further afield; specially-designed, lightweight portable scooters fold away in seconds, allowing them to be loaded into a vehicle or even onto a plane for holidays abroad!
Improved mental health
With improved independence and more varied, more enjoyable experiences comes improved mental health. With a mobility scooter, you’ll be able to socialise more frequently and spend more time around friends and family, boosting your self-confidence and giving you a brighter outlook. If you feel lonely and isolated, a mobility scooter can help with that too, allowing you to live the life you want to live.
Daily tasks become easier
For those with limited mobility, a scooter can make daily tasks so much easier. Heading to the shop or the Post Office is a much simpler affair on a mobility scooter, reducing stress and saving a great deal of time and hassle.
Comfort and support when you need it
Many people with limited mobility have good and bad days. If that sounds like you, you’ll appreciate the flexibility a mobility scooter can offer. When you feel able to walk, you can still choose to do that – but if you’re having a tough week and are struggling with your mobility, your scooter can act as a safety net. No more cancelling plans or staying at home unexpectedly: with a mobility scooter, you can still get out and about in comfort and safety.
Choosing a mobility scooter
So, the benefits of investing in a mobility scooter are significant. But when the time comes to shop for a scooter of your own, where do you begin? With so many options available to choose from, how do you cut through the noise and find the model that suits your needs best? Here are a few crucial factors to consider.
- Design: A variety of different styles of mobility scooter are available, from compact, folding portable models to robust pavement scooters and even long-range 6-8 mph scooters. Choosing a type of scooter should be your first step, because each style offers something different. If you’re planning a holiday in the sun, for instance, a folding portable scooter will likely be your best bet. Or, if you like to cover longer distances around your local area, you might want to consider a 6-8 mph road scooter.
- Size: If you regularly have to navigate tight spaces or have a limited amount of room in which to store your scooter, look out for a more compact model. The same applies if you want to take your scooter with you on your travels: more compact models are much easier to load into a vehicle.
- Range: Larger scooters often come with larger batteries, giving them a greater range. However, advancements in battery technology mean that even compact scooters can now travel in excess of 10 miles before they run out of juice.
- Price: Naturally, your budget will have an impact on which scooter you choose. If you do have a limited budget, you could still get your hands on a quality scooter through the Motability Scheme, however (more on that in just a moment).
- Features: Modern mobility scooters are often equipped with all kinds of features and add-ons designed to make life easier, from LCD screens displaying the scooter’s status and range to quick-disconnect batteries and foldable sections.
Taking advantage of the Motability Scheme
Put off by the cost of buying a mobility scooter outright? As we mentioned earlier, the Motability Scheme is a great way to access a quality mobility scooter without breaking the bank. If you receive one of the following benefits, you could take advantage of the scheme:
- Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Enhanced Rate Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (WPMS)
- The Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)
Want to learn more? Read our Motability frequently asked questions to understand how the scheme works, or discover which products are eligible for the Motability Scheme.
If you’d like to learn more about our range of mobility scooters or would like to book a demonstration, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today.
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