Note: This blog post is not to be used as medical advice. We do not have physicians on staff writing content or giving advice on our website. We recommend consulting with your physician regarding any of your medical needs.
If you have a loved one and are searching for mobility scooters for dementia patients, then here are some interesting points to read. Keep in mind that manufacturers do not make specific mobility scooters for dementia patients. What this means is that you will just need to purchase a regular mobility scooter that is considered safe for senior citizens in general. Mobility scooters are equipped with automatic brakes, slow speeds of up to 5 MPH or less, and an easy-to-use control system known as a tiller.
There are many different types of mobility scooters ranging from lightweight mobility scooter models, heavy-duty models, and even mid-size models. With some heavy-duty mobility scooters, the range can exceed 25 miles! If that travel range worries you, you can opt for a smaller mobility scooter like a travel or folding scooter.
Keeping Track of Your Loved One
Are you worried about your loved one with dementia getting lost on their scooter? Keeping track of your loved ones is now easier than ever. There are several products and applications you can buy. Sometimes, no purchase is necessary. This is because items like your loved one’s cell phone (if a smartphone with great service) can serve as a GPS tracking device. There are several applications you can download and always keep track of them. However, if your loved one loses their cell phone or drops their cell phone, this strategy can prove to not be helpful. That is a very important consideration.
There are other options. Another option you have at your disposal is to purchase a GPS tracking device. Keep in mind that nearly every single one of these will be battery-operated. That means that you will either need to replace the battery and/or ensure that it is charged. If the battery fails, the GPS tracking device will not have a signal to send to you.
Another option is having a GPS device wired into the mobility scooter. This is possible but the most costly of all the options. The good news is that the power would be taken from the mobility scooter battery so you do not need to worry about a battery failure or a battery that needs charging. If money is not an issue, this is likely your best bet. You will need to find a good GPS unit that can be wired into the power of the mobility scooter along with a mobility scooter technician who is willing to splice some wires. Caution: An inexperienced installer may break the mobility scooter by severing a cord.
Of course, these are merely suggestions to help you keep track of your loved one if you seek a mobility scooter in general, not necessarily for people with dementia. Even if your loved one parks their scooter somewhere and ultimately forgets where it is, there is another fantastic reason to consider installing a GPS monitoring device. If you just track your loved one’s phone, it will not help you find the mobility scooter if they parked it somewhere and walked away.
Factors to Consider
In most cases, there are certain specifications and features to consider before purchasing a mobility scooter. These factors include the speed, the stability, the travel range, and the suspension. Each of these factors will contribute to the overall comfort and safety of the user. We recommend watching the video below to get more familiar with these factors.
Each response can significantly change the type of scooter that is best suited for your loved one. Without knowing this information it is impossible to blindly advise the best handicap scooter for dementia patients. The best thing you can do is call one of our friendly sales associates who would be happy to ask you the right questions to ensure that you get the best scooter for your situation.
Andrew Fatalo is the owner of Statewide Mobility Inc & Mobility Scooters Direct. He has been in the mobility product industry since 2005 and knows a ton about e-commerce marketing. He gives back to the handicap community by hosting mobility scooter and electric wheelchair give-aways which you can learn more about by following his companies on Facebook.