Disabled Mobility Scooters: Helpful Information For The Disabled
The widespread availability of disabled mobility scooters today is truly a wonderful blessing for the folks who need them. Many disabled folk without them are trying to decide whether or not a disabled mobility scooter would meet their needs. I am a disabled person myself, and I would like to share my thoughts and suggestions with you in this article.
Disabled Mobility Scooter or Wheelchair?
Perhaps you are wondering which would be best for you - a disabled mobility scooter or a standard wheelchair. In general, the answer to that question largely depends on your overall medical condition and transportation needs. If you have a medical condition that does not allow you to sit upright for long periods of time, or where you are paralyzed, then disabled mobility scooters are probably not for you.
If you need a device to assist you when traveling, you need to take this into consideration also. If you need to travel all day in your scooter, make sure that it is comfortable to sit in for long periods of time. As well, make sure that any disabled mobility scooter you are considering for purchase will run long as long as you need it to without a battery recharge. Lightweight disabled mobility scooters are available, but they may not have all the features that you need. In general, if you need support for your upper body, leg rests, a head rest, or special devices (such as simple levers, or communication interface panels) because you do not have fine motor control, you will probably need a more complex powered wheelchair. As always, your health care professional, rehabilitation therapist and insurance company should be consulted before purchasing a disabled mobility scooter, wheelchair or any other mobility aid. Take It For A Test Drive! If possible, try to arrange for a 'test drive' with your local disabled mobility scooter distributor. This will give you the opportunity to use their scooter - you can check out how easy it is to get in and out of, whether you can easily control the steering, navigate. You can also determine if the seat is comfortable. I know that you may have difficulty in getting around, but I cannot emphasize enough the importance of actually trying out various models from a variety of manufacturers. Other Considerations Here are some other things to think about: First of all, what type of warranty is offered by the maker of a particular brand of disabled mobility scooter? For how long will the warranty be in force? What exactly does the warranty cover? If repairs on your disabled mobility scooter should be needed in the future, where can you get it repaired? Ideally, simple items like electrical components, batteries, belts, tires and such should be stocked by your local dealer. If you can't get these locally, you will have to order them from the manufacturer -- and your disabled mobility scooter will be unusable until you do. This can have dire consequences if you need your scooter to travel to medical appointments, or to work. How Can I Pay For My Disabled Mobility Scooter? When it comes to paying for your disabled mobility scooter, you basically have 3 options: your own funds, private medical insurance carriers, and the government (both Medicare and Medicaid). If you want your insurance or the government to pay for all or part of the cost of your disabled mobility scooter, you will have to medically qualify for it. Be aware that even if you are declared medically qualified, your insurance carrier or the government may not pay for certain accessories (such as a headlight) if they do not believe it is medically necessary.
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