When Is A Mobility Scooter A Better Option For Helping With Limited Mobility Than An Electric Wheelchair?
Mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs can both help you move around and regain your independence if you have difficulty walking. These mobility aids are similar because they're both powered by electricity. This makes either mobility aid a good option for people who get fatigued quickly by manually pushing a wheelchair. However, there are some important differences between them that can influence which one is best for your needs. If you have limited mobility and are having trouble deciding whether you should get a mobility scooter or an electric wheelchair, read on to learn when a mobility scooter is usually the best option.
You Need a Mobility Aid That Lets You Quickly Do Errands
Mobility scooters are better than electric wheelchairs for doing errands like shopping for groceries. Scooters are faster than electric wheelchairs, allowing you to get to nearby stores and restaurants more quickly. Most models also have a basket in the back where you can store your groceries and other purchases you make while you're shopping. With its storage space and extra speed, leaving your home to run errands on a scooter is much more convenient than doing so with an electric wheelchair.
You Need a Mobility Aid That Doesn't Need to Be Recharged Frequently
If you plan to be away from your home for a long period of time, a scooter is a better mobility aid than an electric wheelchair due to its long battery life. Electric wheelchairs are designed for mostly home use, so battery capacity isn't often a concern for manufacturers. You'll always be near an electrical outlet that you can use to recharge the battery. Since mobility scooters are designed to be used outside the home as well as inside, manufacturers equip them with larger batteries that can power the scooter for long periods of time before they need to be recharged.
You Need a Mobility Aid That Can Travel Across Uneven Terrain
Mobility scooters can be used on rough terrain, making them a good option if you want to go to the park with friends and family or use them as a mobility aid when you're on vacation. A scooter has a stronger motor and larger wheels than an electric wheelchair, allowing it to more easily go up slopes and go across uneven surfaces like bumpy gravel or tall grass.
Overall, the primary reason to opt for a mobility scooter instead of an electric wheelchair is that they're better for outdoor use. They're faster and can better navigate tough terrain. The battery in a scooter will also last longer than one in an electric wheelchair, allowing you to be away from an electrical outlet for a longer period of time. Scooters aren't limited to outdoor use, however, and can still help you get around your home like an electric wheelchair. If you plan on spending a lot of time outdoors, a mobility scooter will be the best mobility aid for you.
Contact a company like Motion 4 Less to learn more.