A Basic Guide to Electric Mobility Scooters

Freedom of movement, which most of us need to get through everyday life, can be returned to the elderly, disabled, and seriously ill in the form of electric mobility scooters. When people who haven’t had the ability to get around finally regain it, their opportunities increase for earning a living, getting an education, and socialising with friends, family and their communities. Mobility limitations affect a great percentage of people who are permanently disabled, and others who have painful conditions that make it very hard to walk, such as arthritis, muscular dystrophy, and multiple sclerosis. These individuals can once again lead active, fulfilling lives thanks to the wide variety of mobility devices and aids available. Electric mobility scooters and motorised wheelchairs are some of the most widely popular types of independently operated mobility equipment.

The motorised wheelchair, usually four but sometimes six-wheeled, is controlled with a joystick type of mechanism. You may have heard this kind of wheelchair referred to as an electric chair, a power wheelchair or a power chair. Due to their excellent maneuverability, motorised wheelchairs are perfectly suited for the home, and can be taken nearly anywhere. In general, motorised wheelchairs are used indoors.

People have experienced drastic changes for the better due to the mobility that electric wheelchairs give them. New technological developments in the electric wheelchair industry have led to the production of smaller, lighter, and more easily maneuvered wheelchairs that can be used at home, giving people the freedom to negotiate through small areas and carry out daily activities without being confined to a bed or put in a nursing home.

Electric mobility scooters differ from the wheelchairs in that they have three or four wheels and are steered a lot like a bicycle, with handlebars and hand-operated controls. Ideal for activities inside or outdoors, electric mobility scooters can move smoothly over all kinds of surfaces. Some portable models of electric mobility scooters are sized to fit in the boot of a car, also known as boot scooters. There are certain advantages to electric mobility scooters: they’re reliable, easy to operate, comfortable, and safe to use. Also, unlike some motorised wheelchairs, they don’t look like standard medical equipment.

The modern three-wheel and four-wheel electric mobility scooters feature a steering column, also known as a tiller, handlebars and control mechanisms operated by hand, and a platform for the seat, the battery, and the operator’s feet. Compared with a walker or a manual wheelchair, it doesn’t take as much physical exertion to operate an electric mobility scooter. It is necessary for anyone who rides a mobility scooter to have the physical strength to walk a few steps, as well as sufficient upper body strength and coordination; but substantially more strength is needed to use a walker or manual wheelchair. Also, the electric mobility scooter uses a swivel seat similar to a captain’s chair, which many people find easier to handle than the foot supports of a motorised or manual wheelchair. Moreover, the maintenance required for electric mobility scooters is easy: just recharge them with a charger and a standard electrical outlet.

No one with a physical impairment should be prevented from engaging in daily activities or enjoying special times with friends and family. Independence can be restored with electric mobility scooters, and those who have physical limitations can once again enjoy an active lifestyle.

Get your free mobility scooter quote today by calling 01952 61 31 31 or by requesting a call-back.