Arthritis is a very common ailment that negatively affects millions of
Americans every year. It is common for those who suffer from arthritis
to have difficulty bending their knees and often walking becomes
painful. To help reduce the pain associated with walking and to make
it possible to freely move around, many individuals use mobility
scooters.
In some ways a mobility scooter is very similar to a wheelchair. They
are used indoors and outdoors, but they differ from wheelchairs in the
way the seat and control system is designed. Scooters use battery
powered electric motors and so, unlike a gasoline powered scooter,
electric scooters are safe for indoor use. They also do not get hot
like a gasoline engine would, so there is not a risk of burning
yourself on the scooter. Many scooters have a range that is greater
than 20 miles per charge.
Unlike a motorcycle or bike, mobility scooters have either three or
four wheels. The models with 4 wheels are the most stable and able to
support the most amount of weight, which makes them a good choice for
use outdoors. 3 wheeled scooters typically aren't as stable, but they
require much less space to turn and so are more maneuverable than 4
wheeled scooters. This makes a 3 wheeled scooter the best choice for
indoor use.
One type of scooter that is very popular is the travel scooter. They
are called travel scooters because they are lightweight and can be
taken apart easily. Usually a series of latches, which can be operated
by only one hand, are used to disassemble the scooter. When it has
been taken apart, the individual pieces of a travel scooter are very
easy to handle and weigh less than 25 pounds. Almost all scooters are
designed to be taken apart, but the individual pieces of other
scooters will be much heavier than those of a travel scooter.
Travel scooters are great because they are so lightweight and easy to
transport, but to cut weight, they usually lack features and have
smaller ranges than other scooters. Generally they are also not that
well suited for unpaved outdoor terrain, but because most use a 3
wheeled design, they are very maneuverable.
Almost a polar opposite of the travel scooter is the Heavy Duty
Scooter. Heavy duty scooters weigh considerably more than a travel
scooter and the heaviest piece is often times over a hundred pounds,
but you can drive a heavy duty scooter pretty much anywhere. They are
able to support a great deal of weight and are packed with special
features, such as light packages and reinforced bumpers, which make
the device much safer and more durable. These scooters are designed to
handle even the roughest terrain, but have a pretty large turning
radius, so will not perform as well in areas of tight quarters. Most
are 4 wheeled, but even the 3 wheeled heavy duty scooters have a
larger turning radius than other scooters.
If you do not want to go with one of these polar opposites, there are
a good many other scooters to choose from that fall in between. Using
a mobility scooter is a great way to help those who have difficulty
walking.
Samuel is a writer with experience using mobility scooters. If you are
on Medicare, then this mobility aid might be covered. It would be
classified as durable medical equipment and those that receive Part II
Medicare Benefits seldom have difficulty receiving reimbursement for
these devices, but it is required that the scooter is necessary for
use around the home as well as in public. Get up to date accurate
medical information at liftchairguide.net.
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