Mobility scooters have emerged out to be a fantastic opportunity for seniors to perform outdoor activities.
Due to their small sizes, easy movements, and portability, they are the perfect tool every old guy wants to have in their hand. Especially for people with disabilities, these motorized electric vehicles make day-to-day wandering easier. And, spending a couple of hundred and thousand dollars on them is definitely worth the freedom that often comes with it.
Now – With the exponential rise in the popularity of mobility scooters, there are countless model options for elders to choose from. The fundamental function of mobility is almost identical but – the performance, design, comfort, and price vary comprehensively. Now, mobility scooter for seniors isn’t only a choice, it has become an absolute necessity that is hard to do without.
Nevertheless, if you are planning to purchase (or even rent a mobility scooter )for a senior in your family, but don’t know how to evaluate, you are going forward in right direction to make it happen.
Here are some quick ways and tips to assess and choose a mobility scooter for the elderly. But, before that, definitely are some questions you need to answer to ensure you are on right track.
Can you get a Mobility Scooter for Free?
Yes, you can get a mobility scooter for free based on your medical condition or a physical situation that requires obtaining a scooter as a necessity. Some of the insurance providers, charities, and social security organizations have specific programs that aim at providing financial assistance to people with disabilities.
Some of the organizations that provide mobility scooters for free are:
What you need to get a mobility scooter for free?
- A Doctor Prescription stating your mobility requirement
- The proof of your income
- Letter of Denial from Insurance provider
It is important to acknowledge the fact; the assistance program may or may not entirely cover the cost of mobility scooters. In some cases, you have to pay a fraction of the cost to get mobility that is better than spending a hundred or even thousands of dollars. Moreover, there is a rent-to-own program for rental scooters in case you want to purchase paying a minimal fees per month.
How Much Does A Mobility Scooter Cost?
The pricing of a mobility scooter depends entirely on the model and company. While other factors such as terrain performance, battery life, seat type, portability, and carrying capacity significantly influence the pricing of a mobility scooter.
Based on multiple model comparisons, we can state that the cost of a mobility scooter goes from $1250 to $5000 for premium models with attachments, lighting, and luxury seating options.
However, if you are hoping to use it for a few weeks or months, consider taking a mobility scooter for rent which is a far better option than buying for one time or few time usage.
Will Medicare Pay For A Mobility Scooter?
Yes, medicare may pay for a mobility scooter depending upon the plan you have chosen.
Generally, Medicare Part B is there to cover the cost of mobility equipment. However, the plan will cover only 80% of the cost of the scooter. And, the rest 20% you have to be raised by yourself. To get more details about the eligibility, you would have to contact your local Medicaid office.
Now, here are things to keep in mind while choosing a mobility scooter for the elderly:
1. Carrying Capacity
While you evaluate a scooter before a purchase, it is essential to keep the carrying capacity factor in mind. Owing to the fact, each model has a weight limit it can carry; if an overweight person rides the scooter the performance is highly degraded.
Moreover, the battery life of the scooter is also deteriorated. On top of it, the speed and movement would be way down the anticipated marks which can cause a feeling of dissatisfaction.
Hence, the carrying capacity is certainly an important aspect that not to be overlooked, while purchasing or even renting a mobility scooter.
2. Battery Output and Life
Most scooter lasts for several miles when fully charged. However, it mostly depends on the type of scooter you are choosing.
An 18AH battery can deliver a 14 miles output. For longer distances, you need to purchase a scooter with a more powerful battery charge capacity. Buying a high powered battery is always better than charging it several times a day as it eventually drains the performance.
The life of the battery is 2-3 years after which you have to either replace the battery or the scooter itself.
3. Seating Comfort
The fundamental aspect of choosing a mobility scooter for an elder is to make their movements as comfortable as possible. The type of seating a scooter has is quite important to ensure that they can mount and place themselves on it for a long period of time. There are plenty of options here depending upon your budget.
For premium seats, you have to up to $1k additional. Generally, mobility scooters are offered with multiple seating selections to ensure you have the best selection in your hand.
Here armrest, seats, and footrest needs to be rightly designed and should be focused on people with a specific medical condition.
4. Design and Weight
There are multiple types of scooters; three-wheel and four-wheel mobility scooter with varying design and weigh carrying capacity. Scooters that are specifically designed for seniors are way better than normal scooters and turn out to perform better on every kind of terrain at a good speed.
Light-weight scooters are an incredible choice here to ensure that old ones can easily maneuver without any difficulty.
5. Portability and Performance
There are times when the scooters have to be carried too far countryside or perhaps to a different city. During such a situation, portability is a crucial factor that comes into the picture. If the scooter is not portable, you won’t be able to take it with you, or you have to hire someone to carry it to your desired location.
So, consider a scooter that is foldable or portable mobility scooters that can be detached. For this, the scooter has to be necessarily light-weight so you can put it in your car.
Final words
There is no doubt that mobility rides are the most sought-after equipment any senior citizen wants to have these days. The proliferation of the number of models has made it difficult for people to choose the right one.
Striking a balance between the number of features and affordability is incredibly vital to grab the most outstanding ride.
