How to Choose the Right Mobility Scooters in the U.K.

It goes without saying that Mobility Scooters and Powerchairs change peoples lives for the better however bad advice and poor customer service has proven over the last few years that if you do not choose the right scooter or chair for you the results can be devastating to the user and the general public.

Swiftmobility.co.uk along with the BHTA has put together some questions for you to consider when purchasing a Scooter.

About the Customer: -

• Has he/she used a powered vehicle or wheelchair before?
  If someone has no experience of these products they take a little bit of time to get used to and should proceed with caution and allow themselves plenty of time before going out in busy public places.
• What are the customers Height and Weight?
  Make sure that you have chosen a scooter which will accommodate you height and weight needs. Leg room is an important factor as well as distribution of weight.
• Is the user right handed or left handed?
  This is for the control panel on powerchairs
• What is the Nature of their Disability?
  This can have a profound effect on the scooter you chose some people become heavily reliant on the product and need to look at a more robust product where as some people may only need the scooter once a week or just for shopping in.
• Is eye sight adequate to operate the proposed vehicle safely?
• Is hearing adequate to operate the proposed vehicle safely?
• Are their powers of concentration and memory sufficient?
• Does the customer suffer from general or specific fatigue?
• What type of seating will be required for the vehicle?

The final five are all questions which should be considered when buying a product of this nature it is imperative that you are confident that you, or the person you are buying the equipment for, can handle the responsibility which comes with buying one.

Customers Environment: -

• Will the machine be used primarily Indoors/ Outdoors/ Both?
  This determines the size and weight of product you are looking to buy. If the product is looking to be used indoors you must also take into consideration the access into the house. Are the door/gate widths adequate?
• If the machine is being used outdoors, over what sort of ground is it being used? Tarmac Roads, Rough ground or grass, Slopes/Hills and are there many kerbs and how High or low are they?
• What is the maximum distance the customer wishes to travel in one journey?
• Will they be using the machine daily or only occasionally?
• Will they want to use the machine in all weather?
• What luggage would they be looking to carry on the machine?
• Will they want to transport the machine by car?
  This is an important question to consider many of the ranges Swift do fit into the trunk of a car. Products do vary in complexity to fold down and fit into a car so you need to know how often you want the machine to go into a car?
• Where will they store the machine - House, Garage, Shed?
  These products despite being State of the Art can take up room and need to be stored suitably in order to get the best out of them.

These are a few elements we think should be considered before buying one of our scooters. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call us on 01274 597514 or email to: info@swiftmobility.co.uk