Before You Buy a Mobility Scooter
Purchasing a mobility scooter can be a great first step toward your newfound independence. Before you decide on which mobility scooter is best, however, there are things that you should consider that will greatly help you with your overall purchase decision.
First you should consider whether you need a mobility scooter for mostly indoor mobility or outdoor uses. There are many styles and sizes of mobility scooters available and some are better used for outdoor use than others. If you plan to spend many hours traveling outdoors then you will likely want to consider purchasing a 4 wheel scooter for better functionality in outdoor terrains.
You should also consider whether you will be driving your scooter on paved roads. In many areas, it is not legal to travel on roads in a mobility scooter, so be sure to check in your area for laws regarding having scooters on the road before you begin.
Next, be sure to determine whether your home will allow for the use of a mobility scooter. You will want to make sure that your doorways are wide enough to allow access, and if you have stairs within your home, or outside for entrance purposes, you may want to consider the additional purchase of a lift to help you to navigate the stairs in your scooter. You may also want to consider the amount of space that you have available to store your scooter when you are not using it. Although many take up minimal space, you will still want to determine if you have possibly a closet or corner where you can store it to ensure that it will not be in the walking path of you or your family or guests.
Comfort is one of the most important aspects of choosing your new mobility scooter. You want to choose a scooter that will be completely comfortable, particularly if you plan to spend much time in it. Check out several styles and notice any bonus features that will add to the comfort level.
Also, consider traveling with your mobility scooter. If you like to travel frequently, or need to for any reason, then you should ensure that you can attach a carrier to your vehicle, or that your vehicle has adequate trunk storage space to fit your mobility scooter into. Having a mobility scooter is an excellent way to gain independence, but if you can not take it with you when you travel, then you somewhat defeat the purpose of owning one.
Overall, determining your comfort level, home needs, and budget will help you in the process of finding and purchasing the mobility scooter that will best suit your individual needs. Once you have selected the best model for yourself, you can begin your journey into gaining back your independence.