Wednesday 28 September 2011

Mobility Scooters To Ease Your Life

For whatever reasons, an illness or simply mature years, many of us get to a point in our lives where we find it more difficult to get around due to pain or lack of mobility. This doesn't have to mean however you lose your independence, investing in a mobility scooter means you can do just as much as before  and in some cases even more!

There are some great modern scooters available these days and basically the 3 types to consider when buying are portable, mid-size, and large scooters. Whereas before you may have had to rely on friends and relatives to do the shopping or give you lifts to places, a scooter can change your life by enabling you to do the trip alone. Not having to rely on other people makes a big difference to quality of life and scooters are not only fast and extremely convenient, they are also very simple to operate, cost next to nothing to run and require the minimum of maintenance.

If you are new to the world of scooters then it can be confusing as to which one will suit your needs the best so some research is in order. Start your search by going online as there are plenty of leading, mobility specialists that can provide sound advice and answer any questions you may have with regards to your own specific needs and give information on each type of scooter, its specifications and costs.

First consider the reasons why you need a scooter, also work out the places you want to be able to access in it and the distances to travel. Some people will just be looking for something very basic that is lightweight and small enough to get them around the local area, whilst others will prefer to do all their shopping independently so will need a product that can hold their shopping bags and has the ability to navigate obstacles along the route.

Indoor scooters are designed for getting around corners and smaller spaces in the home, whilst outdoor products are more robust and designed to withstand rougher terrain and be waterproof. If you are intending to be out and about then there are 3 and 4 wheeled options available that can handle deep kerbs and hilly areas. Sometimes you might have seen a motability scooter actually on the road  this is a much more powerful product and there are certain rules you have to adhere to for safety reasons, such as have headlights attached.

If your intention is to use your scooter for getting around to neighbours' houses and to and from the local shopping precinct then an economical 3 or 4 wheeler should suffice. Before buying it's a good idea to travel the routes you intend to follow and try to identify any obstacles or difficulties that might cause a problem, this could be anything from narrow doorways at home to steep kerbs on the way to the park, once you know your routes you can discuss your needs with the mobility specialist and they will be able to advice on the best option based on your findings.

If possible you should always visit the motability scooter showroom as you need to actually try out the product and test it out for comfort and ease of use before making a purchase. If you will be using it a lot then it needs to be as comfortable as possible, and have enough leg room and support.

There are lots of things to think about before you make any important decisions as the initial investment is quite substantial, and you want to get a model that will last you for years to come and provide the ultimate convenience and comfort. Used mobility scooters can make more sense if you just need a quality product for a short time, for example if you have just come out of hospital and it will take some time to get your strength back, or simply can't afford to buy a brand new product.

There are various benefits to buying used mobility scooters, as well as the possibility of getting a high quality heavy duty scooter for the same price as you'd pay for a cheaper new model you also don't have to wait around until you've managed to save enough money for a new one. Another advantage is that the previous owner of the used mobility scooter is likely to have equipped it with various accessories that are sure to add to your comfort and convenience thus saving you even more money!

Whether you're looking for something robust like the TGA Breeze or a lightweight model such as the Sunrise Sterling Little Star portable scooter then check out your options online.