| Power Chair vs. Scooter - Which is right for you? |
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Often people who have a mobility impairment think of a scooter as the solution to their problem – and it may be. However, there are distinct advantages to each device. A thorough understanding of your particular need is necessary to determine which is best. Scooters are great for simple mobility needs. You can easily get around but they do require more strength. You see a scooter is controlled by a “tiller” (that’s the part you steer with). The tiller is large and requires some measure of strength to control. Unlike power chairs scooters are not typically programmable for speed control or tremor dampening. Finally, scooters require a greater turning radius. This can become problematic in confined areas, especially if the user lacks dexterity. Power chairs on the other hand come with many features that scooters do not. They typically have six wheels on the ground for stability and a center wheel drive. The center wheel drive allows the chair to pivot on a dime. There is no tiller, just a joy stick that can be easily operated with a finger. The speed can be limited if necessary and the joystick can be programmed to ignore hand tremors. Chairs have much greater battery life as well. You also have to consider that the chair must meet your needs for the next five years, so you should plan for future needs. Finding what is right for you is what’s important. Our thorough assessment will help you make the right decision. |