Take an honest look and consider your lifestyle before purchasing a wheelchair or mobility scooter. Being practical and assessing how you live each day will pinpoint the best aid for you – which makes the most cost-sense, too. Whether you are an athlete recovering from an injury or a senior with mobility issues, choose your wheelchair or mobility scooter with the service and assistance of a mobility professional.
Are you in the market for a scooter or wheelchair? When it comes to mobility aids, one size doesn’t fit all. That is, distinct lifestyle differences and differentiations make wheelchairs or scooters a better option for you. It also pays to think about your living situation in terms of storage, access, and room to move about when looking for mobility aids intended to make life more convenient.
Carefully consider your lifestyle before purchasing a wheelchair or mobility scooter
Everyone’s daily routine is different. Some may have limitations or disabilities that leave them house-bound, while others may lead active lives and be recovering from a short-term injury. With this in mind, there are some compelling reasons why a wheelchair may make the most sense for one client, while a scooter is better-suited to another consumer. Allow yourself to imagine what everyday living is like now and what it might be like with the enhanced access provided by a wheelchair or scooter.
Some questions to ask yourself when making your purchase decision are:
Are you active? If you don’t want your injury or disability to slow you down from an active lifestyle, mobility aids make sense. A wheelchair will allow you more freedom though also requires more upper-body strength. A scooter could feel restrictive in some situations or when navigating in small spaces. Plus, you will be getting physical activity during your use of a wheelchair that combats muscle atrophy.
Are you sedentary? If you have other medical issues or concerns, you may simply not have the strength to manually operate a conventional wheelchair. This may make scooters the most practical choice to increase your access and mobility. Another possible route is a power-chair; talk to your mobility dealer for more information and a demonstration of power electric wheelchairs.
What is the nature of your disability? Something else to take into account is the nature o your disability or limitation; are you recovering from an illness or injury? Is your condition chronic or progressive? Realistically, could your needs increase later-on? If you may need prolonged or longer-term mobility assistance, go for the aid that will grow with you; in many instances, this is a high-quality scooter. Scooters have power and versatility that can have practical use for years; plus, many vendors will consider trade-ins or rentals for their valued customers.
Are you up for adventurer? Do you go where the mood strikes you? If you are always up for an adventure, optimize your mobility with the right aid. A manual wheelchair may hinder you unless you are fairly active, and a scooter could be the best vehicle for your unpredictable lifestyle. Either way, make sure that you speak with mobility sales professionals about battery life and chargers for reliable and spontaneous use.
Are you a home-body? You may want to keep things simple if you are a home-body, but you may benefit from the technological advances of power chairs and scooters. Consider the home’s layout, size, and configuration to determine the best choice to have ready-access to your favorite spaces.
Are there places you dream of going? If you have a lot of places left to explore, consider the flexibility and versatility of a high-quality wheelchair. Even if this is something that you keep in your vehicle for getaways and travels, a wheelchair is a prudent investment to make. You may choose a sleeker style chair, such as a transport chair, for these situations while choosing something else to enhance mobility in the home, like a second chair or scooter.
Ask yourself these questions and take a good look around at your living situation; look for obstacles and challenges that could arise in a wheelchair or scooter. Do you live on one-level? Is the terrain outside your door rocky? What about steps and stairs? Consider how you will combat and conquer these areas when you bring home your mobility device. Talk to your vendor about additional options, like lifts or ramps, for prolonged or long-term situations.
Only buy wheelchairs and scooters from qualified mobility professionals
Regardless of your choice – wheelchairs or scooters- only buy from qualified mobility professionals that offer service and support, after the sale. Make sure that your seller is interested in how your needs will be met and not simply focused on making a sale; you may need the service, support, and assistance of your vendor later, so shop with this in mind.
Whether your mobility needs are for short-term recovery or long-term rehabilitation, make an informed decision when shopping for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Talk to experts in mobility aids to evaluate your distinct needs and preferences – and to find the device that is most suited to your lifestyle. From temporary conditions to progressive health issues, talk to a mobility professional in the region for more information and options that will preserve your quality of life and maintain your independence.
President, Husband, Father, Grandfather Graduate of UC Davis- Bio Sci Major- Go Aggies! Jeff has extensive experience in all of Pacific Mobility’s products and services, and specializes in accessibility products as well as stairlifts, ceiling lifts and custom wheel chairs. His hobbies include spending time with family, gardening, mountain biking, exercising and off road motorcycle riding.
24 years as Owner/President of Pacific Mobility Center – selling, installing, and servicing stairlifts, porch lifts, ceiling lifts, pool lifts, handicap ramping, specialty wheelchairs, scooters, power wheel chairs, and other power mobility devices
Certified Environmental Access Consultant since 2008
Licensed General Contractor since 1998
Certified Aging in Place Specialist since 2016
Board Member for Home Access Professionals
Member of Association of Members of the Accessibility Equipment Industry (AEMA)