Mobility scooters enable seniors and others whose mobility is compromised to achieve a measure of independence in their daily lives.
Mobility scooters are considered safe and reliable and can operate in a variety of weather conditions.
In some cases the cost of a mobility scooter may be covered by insurance or Medicare.
Below you will find our picks for the most important benefits of mobility scooters.
17 Benefits Of Mobility Scooters
A mobility scooter can restore a sense of independence to someone whose mobility has been compromised by age, illness or injury. Below you’ll find the 17 most important benefits of mobility scooters.
1: Mobility scooters enable you to take charge of your life.
People who find it difficult to get around under their own power often wind up feeling like they’ve lost control of their lives. Many wind up housebound, unable to complete even simple tasks like going to the store to pick up a few things for dinner. Many older individuals also wind up sinking into depression as a result (1). Mobility scooters can give them back a sense of control over their lives.
2: Mobility scooters enable people to free themselves from dependence on others.
If a disabled person is fortunate enough to have friends and family living nearby who are willing and able to help, they may get out from time to time. Which is good. What’s not so good is that they wind up dependent on those people. A mobility scooter can free the disabled person from this type of dynamic and restore a sense of independence.
3: Mobility scooters prevent isolation.
Disabled people often wind up isolated. This is particularly true for older disabled individuals who have lost many of their friends and family. This type of isolation can have a devastating effect on a person’s psyche (2). Mobility scooters provide the disabled individual the ability to break out of their isolation, or prevent them from becoming isolated in the first place.
4: Mobility scooters can lessen the burden of injury or illness.
Regardless of your age if you have suffered a serious injury or illness a mobility scooter may make the recovery period a lot easier. Broken legs, knee replacement surgery, hip replacement surgery, DVT and more can require a person to spend lots of time off their feet. A mobility scooter means they don’t have to spend all day staring at the TV or smartphone. They can resume many of the normal daily activities of life without fear they will set back their recovery.
5: Mobility scooters are covered by Medicare.
The best mobility scooters are not cheap. Fortunately, the chances that you will have to cover the entire cost yourself are slim. As long as you have a doctor who is willing to endorse your need for this type of device Medicare will cover a significant portion of the cost. In some cases as much as 80% of the total cost (3). The only catch is that Medicare has its own guidelines regarding how much a mobility scooter should cost. Anything beyond the Medicare approved cost will need to be paid by you.
6: Mobility scooters do not require any special training.
Using a mobility scooter could not be easier. In most cases all a person needs to do is familiarize themselves with the controls and spend a few minutes moving around in a safe, flat area to get a feel for the device. After that they’re good to go.
7: Mobility scooters can be brought on an airplane.
Not in the cabin mind you, but you can check the mobility scooter, have it stowed with the checked baggage and pick it up at your destination. Airlines will typically assign you a manual wheelchair and, if necessary, someone to help you board and disembark from the plane. Of course, if you plan on traveling with your mobility scooter it’s best to get one that folds up.
8: Mobility scooters can help prevent injuries.
People who suffer from declining mobility often wind up tripping or falling and making their situation even worse. If you or a loved one is finding it increasingly difficult to get around you or they should start using a mobility scooter sooner rather than later. Broken bones in old age take much longer to heal (4) and can create a downward spiral that is very difficult to stop or reverse.
9: Mobility scooters can be folded up and taken anywhere.
Some people use mobility scooters as their primary means of getting around. Others pop them in the trunk, drive to the park or mall, and then use them to explore or shop. When they’re done, they pop them back in the trunk and drive home. Not all mobility scooters fold up for easy transport, but there are many that do. The bottom line is you have options when it comes to scooters.
10: Mobility scooters are faster than walking.
Mobility scooters get a bad rap when it comes to speed. The general impression is that they move along at a snail’s pace. But in reality most people will find they can get to the store faster using a scooter then when they use to walk. The average adult walks at 3-4 mph. The average mobility scooter tops out around 5 mph with some capable of 7 or 8 mph.
11: Mobility scooters are comfortable.
Everything about mobility scooters are designed with comfort in mind. The seats are usually well-padded and much more comfy than wheelchair seats. You have the ability to change the position of your feet while you drive around. And in many cases the tires on mobility scooters are inflated, which provides a much smoother ride than the hard rubber wheels on a wheelchair.
12: Mobility scooters come in a wide variety of styles.
There are low scooters, wide scooters, tall and narrow scooters, scooters with large tires, small tires, wide seats and narrow seats. Some mobility scooters resemble motorbikes. Others resemble golf carts. And still others fold down to next to nothing and can be easily slipped into the trunk or the back of the SUV. In addition, scooters come with an array of optional features including headlights and blinkers, baskets, fenders, fairings, different color schemes and more.
13: Mobility scooters are stable and safe.
Because they move at a modest pace and are low to the ground mobility scooters are actually quite safe. A user would need to far exceed recommended operation in order to tip one over. Or, there would have to be some kind of external force brought to bear on the scooter, like a bicycle or car. The bottom line is that serious accidents or injuries are extremely rare.
14: Mobility scooters can be used by people of all ages.
There is no doubt that most of the people who use mobility scooters are elderly. But they are not the only ones who take advantage of these handy, convenient mobility devices. People who experience ACL injuries (5) or joint surgery often use mobility scooters during recovery. Disabled veterans returning from conflict zones (6) are another group who often require mobility scooters.
15: Mobility scooters have long effective ranges.
Most of the best mobility scooters have an effective range of 12-20 miles. That’s enough to spend all day out running errands and still have plenty of battery left when you get home. Of course, the maximum range of scooters will vary so make sure you check before buying.
16: Mobility scooters can accommodate large individuals.
Many of today’s mobility scooters have upper weight limits north of 300 pounds. Some will carry as much as 500 pounds. So there is no reason virtually anyone can’t find a scooter that will suit their needs.
17: Mobility scooters are fun.
Let’s face it, a lot of owners get more than a little guilty pleasure out of zipping around on their mobility scooter. And why not? Where does it say that you are forbidden to have fun if you have mobility issues? Nowhere. So make sure you enjoy yourself next time you’re out on your scooter.
Conclusion
Mobility scooters can help seniors and those with a disabilities re-engage with life, reduce their dependence on others, attend social events they might otherwise miss and have fun doing it. They’re a convenient and safe way to live your best life. Keep in mind too that in some cases insurance or Medicare may cover the cost of a mobility scooter.