How to Help Aging Parents Keep Their Independence

As a person ages, it becomes increasingly likely that they will start to lose some of their independence, which can make for a frightening experience. While many senior citizens lose their independence because of health problems or mobility issues, it doesn’t have to be that way for your aging parents. This guide provides a closer look at how you can assist your parents in maintaining their independence with the help of a scooter.

How Mobility Scooters Can Help Aging Parents Maintain Their Independence

There are plenty of reasons why your aging parent may require a mobility scooter. These scooters are relatively compact vehicles that provide similar benefits as a wheelchair while being made like a motor-scooter. As a person ages, there are many issues that can develop that will reduce mobility and make it more difficult for the individual to maintain their independence.

For instance, your parent might have lung issues that lead to difficulties in walking long distances. It’s also common for senior citizens to have knee or back surgeries, which can bring about a substantial amount of pain during recovery. The presence of this pain makes it troublesome to walk long distances. To account for these issues, we highly recommended selecting a mobility scooter so that your parent can regain their mobility as well as their independence. Whether your parents live in a condo in a metropolitan city, or on a ranch with a lot of land, there are mobility scooters that can fit their lifestyle needs.

The Benefits Provided By Mobility and Disability Scooters

If you’re thinking about purchasing a mobility scooter for your parent, there are many notable benefits that come with using these scooters. The primary benefit of using a mobility scooter is that your parents can gain a sense of independence that they might have lacked since an injury, disability, or illness. This enhanced independence means that your parents can do whatever they want to do without requesting further assistance. As such, your parents should be able to maintain the kind of independence that they had when they didn’t require a mobility scooter. This independence should also make it easier for your parents to get out of the house more.

Traveling to different places is also very simple and straightforward with a travel-friendly mobility scooter. While wheelchairs require some amount of manual force in order to move, travel mobility scooters are powered by motors, which means that your parent can sit back, relax, and enjoy the simplicity of getting around with a scooter. These scooters are portable and highly versatile as well. A mobility scooter is typically equipped with wide seats, adjustable armrests, and a simple-to-use steering mechanism. Your parent can alter these features to ensure that they are completely comfortable. In most models, the backrest can also be folded, which allows for easier portability. Some folding mobility scooters are even capable of folding up into a compact shape that makes it easy to transport in the trunk of a small car. Below is a picture of the Transformer folding mobility scooter which folds up automatically with the push of a button. 

If you provide your parent with a mobility scooter, they should benefit from a much-improved lifestyle. In the event that your parent is suffering from a condition that has worsened their mobility, they likely spend ample amounts of time indoors. The use of a mobility scooter makes it possible to go outside and enjoy a complete lifestyle again, which can be very difficult without the aid of a mobility scooter. Keep in mind that these scooters can accommodate practically every need, which means that your parent should be able to find a scooter that matches their exact requirements.

Types of Scooters Available to Aging Parents

When you’re searching for the right mobility scooter to select for your parent, there are numerous types that you can choose from. For instance, you will have the option to choose between three-wheel and four-wheel options. If you select a three-wheeled scooter, you’ll be provided with a scooter that has great maneuverability because of the precise turning radius. As for four-wheeled scooters, they are built in a way that offers extra stability, which means that they can be readily operated on many types of terrain.

Folding / Travel Models: Another type of scooter is a folding model that can either fold up automatically or manually. One of the newer models known as the Transformer scooter is a mobility scooter that folds up automatically with a remote control which is demonstrated in the video below. 

Some of the portable mobility scooter models are TSA and FAA friendly which means you can travel on an airplane and check the scooter without any issues. These scooters have a more compact size to them that makes them easy to store and transport. If you decide to use a folding mobility scooter, keep in mind that many of them utilize lithium batteries which are regulated by the FAA. 

Full-Size / Standard Models: If traveling is out of the question, you could consider providing your parent with a mid-sized mobility scooter, which is somewhat larger than a folding scooter and is designed to travel for lengthier distances between each charge. Mid-sized scooters tend to be outfitted with very comfortable seating and can come in speeds of 4-6 MPH. 

These scooters are designed specifically to allow for longer journeys and can even be used on the road. These particular scooters are very powerful and can be operated at a speed of 8MPH.

Heavy Duty Models: If you need something bigger, that can support up to 500 or even 600 pounds, there are heavy-duty mobility scooter models to consider as well. There are even off-road models that have suspension and many additional features. The type of scooter you select depends mainly on what your parents prefer. You can also check out this helpful mobility scooter buyer’s guide to learn more about what to look for when buying one. 

Additional Considerations

If you’re currently shopping for a mobility scooter that will help your parent maintain their independence, there are numerous features and specifications to consider during the shopping process. With many mobility scooters, it’s possible to select from numerous color options, which include everything from green and blue to black and white. Some scooters will offer several seat sizes to select from, the larger of which can provide additional comfort. It’s important that you review all of the specifications, ideally with a sales consultant that will take the time to measure the intended user’s height, weight, and overall that takes the time to understand the user’s needs. It’s best to shop with a local dealer so that you can test drive a mobility scooter before purchasing. If you don’t live near a dealer, you can consider shopping online with a reputable dealer by using one of the well-known manufacturers “find a dealer a page”. 

Make sure that you consider a warranty for the scooter, which will cover parts and labor for a specific period of time. Some of the well-known manufacturers like Pride Mobility & Golden Technologies offer excellent warranties and even in-home service contracts at no additional cost. You can also consider upgrading your service contracts for an extended period. 

If you shop from an online storefront like MobilityScootersDirect.com, you won’t need to pay any sales tax because they’re based out of Florida where sales tax is not required for the sale of medical parts. Shipping is also free when you shop online with major dealers. While all scooters come equipped with a basic feature-set, you’ll likely be able to pair the scooter with optional accessories if you want. These mobility scooter accessories can include:

• Smartphone holders
• Cane and walker holders
• An armrest bag
• A cup holder
• A storage box
• A weather cover
• Rear-view mirrors, which are very beneficial for scooters that are meant to operate on the road
• Crutch holders
• Oxygen tank holders

If you want to be certain that your aging parent will be able to keep their independence as they grow older, mobility scooters may be the ideal solution. These scooters come in many different shapes and sizes, which gives your parent the ability to select one that meets their needs.