Motorized Wheelchairs vs. Mobility Scooters
Both motorized wheelchairs and mobility scooters (also known as mobility & disability wheelchair) give us the option of staying mobile and independent regardless of any physical constraints. As with any kind of technology, incidentally, these devices are only worthwhile when we buy the products which is appropriate for our situation. This article is a very basic evaluation of motorized wheelchairs and mobility scooters, which can partially help you in identifying which type of mobility aid to purchase.
Motorized wheelchairs will provide you with more postural support and generally will be made for you to remain in them continually. These wheelchairs come with a variety of features that enable the seats to tilt forward and backward, and several of them are able to modify the height of the chair to accommodate different work areas and multiple wheelchair ramp. The option to shift your position periodically will allow you to remain in that chair for a large part of the day without giving you pressure sores. Motorized wheelchairs also have more tire and powerbase variations, which allow you to stay mobile inside and outside safely.
Motorized wheelchairs are normally more maneuverable in tight spots, and seeing as they are steered by an attached joystick, it is easier to manage them if you don’t posess full use of your arms. Finally, powered wheelchairs are made to be lifted into and strapped down inside properly outfitted buses, where the chairs could legally function as car seats. Unfortunately, if you don’t have a lift on your car, this isn’t exactly a benefit. Although, if you can’t usually drive anyway, it is less of a hassle to access public transportation with a wheelchair instead of with a scooter that has to be loaded separately. So you can see that there is a lot involved with the different mobility & disability wheelchair and ramp companies.
Mobility scooters bring their own set of benefits, providing you have the correct kinds of expectations. If your upper body is intact and functioning, and you simply need this extra assistance for your legs, a scooter may be able to meet your requirements. Scooters are usually steered by using a tiller, which performs much like a handlebar on a normal scooter.
Travel and folding mobility scooters may be rapidly broken down and placed in a typical car, so if you can take a step or two without the scooter and drive yourself, this is far more convenient than using city busses or buying a full-sized van with a wheelchair lift. Scooters do not come with the extra postural functions that motorized wheelchairs do, and the tiller mechanism is far simpler than the joystick steering technology. While this results in the owner relying on fewer bells and whistles, it also means you are going to be paying less for a scooter since it involves less technology.
One of the cool things with regards to existing in the 21st century is being able to benefit from the current technology. Motorized wheelchairs and mobility scooters allow us to remain moving and self-reliant beyond the point when our lower appendages are unable to cooperate. Finding the right type of technology is important, though. Assess your needs, arrange your priorities, then purchase with confidence. Happy wheeling!
