Best Mobility Scooter for Seniors
Mobility scooters are also known as electric scooters because they are battery operated.
In many cases, people buy these scooters for their elder family members with limited mobility. It is especially recommended for those who suffer from arm or shoulder flexibility limitations, or a person who has less stamina to walk around for longer durations.
Seniors with some disabling conditions are also recommended to use these electric scooters like patients who have arthritis, lung or coronary problems, and many other health issues.
What are Mobility Scooters?
Mobility scooters are small motorized vehicles. Unlike most motor vehicles, they have a comfy chair, much like a normal armchair, and four small wheels on each corner for stability.
Mobility scooters work with the help of integrated batteries and need to be charged regularly. You can remove the battery to charge it in your home or leave it attached to the scooter.
You will find several different models available that are comfortable for seniors, and on average, a fully charged scooter can run up to 6 to 8 miles in a single charge.
Some heavy-duty models can travel from 30 to 40 miles in a single charge. It depends on the design of mobility scooters.
Why Mobility Scooters are Good for the Elderly
Many elderly people feel the loss of mobility, a distressing phase of the aging process. When they find it increasingly difficult to complete day to day activities or work, like walking around the home, going shopping, or even meeting friends, a mobility scooter can be a life-changing purchase.
With the help of mobility scooters, many seniors feel much more independent, which in turn leads to an increase in their confidence. This also helps to keep them busy in their daily lives and helps them remain active.
A motorized scooter is recommended for seniors and is designed to make them more mobile. Elderly people prefer using these scooters both indoors and outdoors, e.g., to travel inside or outside their home, for public transit, and to travel around independently without any issues.
As mobility scooters are powered by batteries, companies are now placing rechargeable batteries in these scooters, which are much more energy-efficient and give the user more mileage.
Types of Mobility Scooters
Mobility scooters are available in four different types as detailed below:
Three-wheeled mobility scooter:
For indoor purposes, three-wheeled scooters are recommended as they are lighter in weight and smaller in size than the other mobility scooters.
These three-wheeled mobility scooters provide a small radius for turning that is convenient for indoor use.
However, outdoor use is restricted, so you need to think accordingly before purchasing this type of mobility scooter.
Four-wheeled mobility scooters:
A four-wheeled scooter is considered more favorable for those seniors that wish to drive their scooters outdoors as they provide more stability to travel on outdoor surfaces.
Portable Scooters:
These types of scooters are considered the lightest weight mobility scooters which are designed to fit in the trunk of a car without any difficulty.
Heavy-duty scooters:
These scooters can carry more than 500 pounds of weight and are recommended for elders who are overweight.
Class of a Mobility Scooter
It is really important to get some knowledge about selecting a mobility scooter for the right class. In some countries, mobility scooters are either classified in class 2 or class 3 scooters, according to their usage.
Class 2 mobility scooters are lightweight and compact scooters which are to be used indoors as well as on footpaths and pavements. They can be disassembled easily and have a maximum speed of 4 miles per hour. They are intended to be used for shorter distances.
Class 3 mobility scooters are recommended for outdoor use and can also be used on pavements and roads. They can reach a maximum speed of 8 miles per hour. They are large in size and have extra mirrors, headlights, a horn, and reflectors. They also have longer battery life.
How To Select The Perfect Mobility Scooter For Elderly People
It is essential to keep in mind all the critical reasons why seniors require mobility scooter. It is essential to be clear as to when, and for what purpose they need these scooters.
This will help you to purchase the correct model that benefits the senior, and you also need to check whether they need a class 2 or class 3 scooter.
It’s essential to note the weight of your senior so that they can balance on the scooter. Bearing in mind all these factors, you can purchase heavy-duty, comfortable, or adjustable scooters if required.
You may find the right type of mobility scooters for your seniors with a wide range of options that meets their specific criteria and needs. Before looking at different products, you should make a list of what specifications you would like the mobility scooter to have.
Things you should consider before buying a mobility scooter
- Weight and portability of the scooter
- Size and maneuverability
- Speed
- Safety features
- Comfort level
- Affordability
- Battery life and retention of charge.
Best Mobility Scooters for Seniors
Travel Pro Premium 3-Wheel Mobility Scooter by Pride
Product Features:
If you are looking for the best mobility scooter for your loved ones, which can help them to travel easily, without sacrificing on quality, go for the Travel Pro Premium 3-wheel mobility scooter designed by Pride.
It helps seniors to stay independent, and it easily maneuvers anywhere inside or outside the home. It is also compact, so it can be stored in the trunk when you are traveling.
Specifications:
Width: 22.3″ x Overall Length: 37″ x Seat Width: 17″ x Max Seat to Deck Height: 17.25″
Pros:
- It is easy to use when traveling. This mobility scooter can be assembled easily or disassembled when needed into many pieces that can be kept anywhere in the car.
- This three-wheeled mobility scooter is comfortable to ride and consists of attractive padded faux-leather seating which can adjust to the height of the user’s seat anytime
- It provides a high range of traveling with a speed of 4mph that can travel a 6.3-mile range.
- It offers maneuverability in packed spaces.
- It also provides a cup holder.
Cons:
- People often complain about the seat assembly.
Vive 4 Wheeled Mobility Scooter – Electric Powered Wheelchair Device
Description:
Vive manufactured 4-wheeled mobility scooters for seniors that are powered electrically. This mobility scooter is a heavy-duty mobile scooter recommended for traveling with extended battery along with the charger, and one of the main features is that it includes a basket.
Pros:
- It provides safe and stable assistance.
- It can be easily used on indoor or outdoor surfaces like concrete, tiles, or even where there is carpet with a radius of 4.3’.
- It also provides a light padded seat.
- It can be easily assembled.
- The seat is attached with two padded armrests that are adjustable.
- Seniors can easily adjust the height of the seat whenever they want.
- It is portable.
Cons:
- Wheels are small compared to other mobility scooters.
Drive Medical Scout Spitfire 4 Wheeled Travel Power Scooter
Features:
One of the best features of the Drive Medical Scout Spitfire 4-wheeled mobility scooter is that it can hold a weight of around 300 pounds. The scout is light in weight and compact.
Specifications:
42.5 x 20.5 x 36 inches; 94 pounds
Pros:
- It comes with a battery and charger
- It is easy to disassemble
- Seniors can easily adjust the seat height along with the fold-down backrest.
- Adjustable padded armrests are also attached.
- It provides an ergonomic throttle control that can be easily operated.
- It has anti-tip wheels.
Cons:
- It is not recommended for outdoor purposes.
- People found the control circuit weak.
Go-Go Ultra X 3-Wheeled Travel Mobility Scooter
Description:
The Pride Go-Go Ultra X provides easy 3-wheeled scooters for seniors that can be disassembled without any difficulty into five pieces. Each piece weighs only 28 pounds. It also permits one-handed disassembly, along with a battery-box and a front-frame mounted seat post that provides stability.
Specifications: 43 x 22 x 22 inches; 92 pounds
Pros:
- It helps people travel long distances.
- It provides an auto-latching lockup mechanism that allows easy frame separation with the help of one hand.
- It contains a modular design for easy service.
- It provides maximum stability.
- Seniors can easily disassemble this mobility scooter into five pieces, each of which is lightweight and can be transported and stored easily.
Cons:
- Initially, seniors often felt a problem in controlling the speed of the scooter.
E-Wheels EW-36 3-Wheeled Electric Senior Mobility Scooter
Features:
If you are looking for an electric scooter that provides a fun and easy transportation, E-wheels EX-36 has designed the best 3-wheel electric scooter for seniors.
Pros:
- It is easy to operate
- It is a 3-wheeled mobility scooter that contains a transaxle electric motor
- It can reach speeds of 18 mph.
- It has a reverse switch, an armrest, and a storage basket
- The frame includes two rear shock absorbers.
Con:
- Some owners found the back wheel lost air over time.
Final verdict
If you are planning to purchase a mobility scooter for an elderly person, ensure you get the right model. These mobility scooters are designed to make senior people’s lives easier and more comfortable, therefore keep all these essential aspects in mind before making your final decision.
As the sitting posture varies from person to person, before purchasing a mobility scooter, it is always a good idea to go for a test drive with your senior, so that they can check all the specifications are suitable before buying their ideal scooter.
