Helping others with mobility
If a loved one in your family is starting to experience mobility issues, it can be difficult to know how best to help. A mobility scooter for elderly relatives can be a life-changing solution – helping them stay independent, active, and connected with the world around them.
Whether it’s for daily errands, trips to the local shops, appointments, or simply meeting friends for coffee, choosing the right mobility scooter can make a huge difference to their lifestyle – and to your peace of mind.
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Understanding their mobility needs
When choosing a mobility scooter for an elderly parent or family member, it’s important to ask the right questions and consider their individual needs.
Start by thinking about:
- Balance: Do they have good balance? Will they be able to get on and off a scooter safely without help?
- Dexterity: Do they have the hand strength to steer and operate controls easily?
- Awareness: Is their eyesight and hearing good enough to keep them safe, particularly if using a Class 3 road-legal model? They will also need good spatial awareness to manoeuvre the scooter.
If the answer to these is yes, then a scooter could be an ideal choice for promoting family mobility and giving your loved one greater freedom.
Questions to ask before buying
Here are a few practical considerations to keep in mind when choosing the best model:
- How will the mobility scooter be funded? Will it be paid for privately or through a charitable or government grant?
- Weight capacity: Each scooter has a maximum user weight. Consider if you need to look at heavy-duty mobility scooter models for additional support.
- Weight: Will the scooter need to be lifted into a car boot or up steps? If so, you might want to consider a lightweight mobility scooter.
- Distance: Will they need it for short daily trips or longer outings? Check the battery range before buying, and think about how they will charge their mobility scooter battery.
- Terrain: Will they be using it on pavements, grass, gravel, or in parks? Choose a model that suits their most common journeys.
- Storage: Is storage space an issue? If so, you may want to consider a foldable mobility scooter to maximise space.
- Comfort: Look for features on the mobility scooter such as padded seats, adjustable armrests and footplates, and remote-controlled folding.
- Manoeuvrability: How much turning space will they need? Three-wheeled scooters offer greater agility, while four-wheel models offer more stability.
- Portability: Will you need to transport it in the car? If so, look for a folding mobility scooter.
- Travel plans: Will they want to take the mobility scooter on public transport or on holiday? Make sure it’s travel-friendly and meets transport guidelines.
Other important factors to consider
Once you’ve chosen the right mobility scooter for your elderly relative, you’ll also want to look into:
- Road usage: Only Class 3 scooters can be used on the road. Class 2 scooters are for pavement use only. Make sure they have a good understanding of where they are allowed to use their mobility scooter.
- Insurance: Insuring your mobility scooter will help cover any accidental damage or third-party claims.
- Maintenance: Keep the scooter running smoothly through regular maintenance and servicing.
- Accessories: From storage bags to rain covers, the right mobility scooter accessories can enhance safety and comfort.
Monarch Mobility – here to help
At Monarch Mobility, we know that family mobility is about more than just getting from A to B – it’s about confidence, independence, and peace of mind.
Explore our full range of mobility scooters, or give our friendly team a call to talk through your options. We’ll help you choose the perfect scooter – and can even arrange a free home demo so your loved one can try them in the comfort of their own home.
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