| Mobility Scooter |
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| CATEGORIES ABOUT MOBILITY SCOOTER | |
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| assistive technology | |
| electric vehicles | |
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A main selling point of the electric scooter is that it does not look like a wheelchair, which many people see as a milestone of Old Age ; however, as increasing numbers of elderly persons choose mobility scooters, the scooter is now developing its own reputation, at least among the able-bodied, as a geriatric item. Mobility scooters are generally more affordable than powered wheelchairs, and often easier to obtain from insurers or health care agencies. Functionally, swivelling the seat of an electric scooter is easier than moving the foot supports on most conventional wheelchairs. A scooter is also preferable for persons without the stamina, or arm and shoulder ability, necessary to use a manual wheelchair. In the United States currently, Medicare will not approve of an electric wheelchair for persons who do not need to use the chair 'inside their own home', even if they have medical needs which make a scooter a poor or useless choice. For example, a person with severe arthritis of both shoulders and hands, and a weak heart, should not use a scooter, as it will put strain on their hands and arms. But because they can walk a few steps in their own home, they are not seen as a candidate for a powered chair. Various disability rights groups are campaigning MEdicare to change this policy. A mobility scooter eliminates the manual strength problem of an unpowered wheelchair, but its 'tiller' steering still requires upright posture, shoulder and hand strength, and decent upper-body mobility and strength. Other drawbacks of mobility scooters are their longer length, which limits their turning radius and ability to use some lifts or wheelchair-designed access technologies such as bus lifts; and they have fewer options for body support (head rests, leg rests, and so on). They are rarely designed for ease of patient 'transfer' from seat to bed. Scooters are not usable by many disabled persons as a result of these limitations. However, for persons with systemic or whole-body disabling conditions (coronary or lung issues, some forms of arthritis, et cetera) who are still able to stand and walk a few steps, sit upright without torso support, and control the steering tiller, a mobility scooter is very helpful. Mobility scooters are available in a wide range of models, from tiny folding travel scooters to heavy-duty bariatric models. Scooters are commonly available for loaner use at public facilities, from amusement parks to grocery stores. Manufacturers and distributors of these mobility products for the disabled include:
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