Mobility scooter advice

[Thomk]

You make him sound like Gollum

 

[screenman]

You make him sound like Gollum

We have never seen them side by side in real life, so you never know.

 

[Mo1959]

I think my FiL would like something like this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mobility-...393?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2ee2469629

Used to be lady around here had that one and seemed to like it.

Dad got a decent price for his car so treated himself to this one.

http://www.careco.co.uk/item-s-ms03...medical-galaxy-plus-6-8-mph-mobility-scooter/

 

[buggi]

Do you know anything about macular degeneration? I suspect not.

I suggest you do a bit of reading, particularly on the physical effects, and think about whether it would be safe for someone to be cycling when the AMD's got bad enough for them to give up driving.

And of course you know just how bad it's got knowing her personally yourself?
Just bcoz I don't mention or refer to it doesn't mean I don't agree or disagree with what TMN has said. In fact you are correct, i know nothing about MD, which was why I wasn't talking about it and was just saying that from a weight point of view it would be a bad idea to give up there little exercise she has. You don't really have a point, you just don't like anything I say. Back to being a cock again I see User. If you dislike my points of view do yourself and the rest of the forum a favour and use the ignore button. Then I won't have to keep having pointless conversions with you. Then again I might just do that myself then I won't have to put up with you.

 

[Thomk]

Used to be lady around here had that one and seemed to like it.

Dad got a decent price for his car so treated himself to this one.

http://www.careco.co.uk/item-s-ms03...medical-galaxy-plus-6-8-mph-mobility-scooter/

This looks like a small wheeled one, better for flat paved areas?

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

I think my FiL would like something like this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mobility-...393?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2ee2469629

Born to be Wild

 

[Thomk]

Born to be Wild

You know him?

 

[Mo1959]

This looks like a small wheeled one, better for flat paved areas?

They do look small in that picture but they are quite substantial when you see it in the flesh. He rumps over the kerb out of his drive no problem. Lol. It is mainly used on the road up and down the village though.

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

You know him?

Just guessing

 

[Thomk]

Just guessing

Uncanny

 

[summerdays]

Forgive me for saying this, but if someone's eyesight has deteriorated beyond 'a safe standard' how are they going to be safe driving a mobility scooter around?

It was her decision as she felt she didn't have as clear a vision as she used to, not a medical one she isn't registered as partially sighted yet. I don't have to wear glasses to drive legally but I have astigmatism and know I can see better with them so always wear them to drive but not riding the bike strangely. Hopefully she would make the same decision to stop using the scooter when that time came.

My mum has Never been great at walking, when we were kids we always had to wait for her when we were out anywhere and now she gets embarrassed at how much she feels she is slowing everyone down (doesn't matter what you say to her), so it's not really as if she is giving up walking, she wouldn't walk to the doctors anyway since it moved to the other end of the large village.

In another post you mention the lack of independence and I think that is the bit she is really feeling, until last November she used to take library books to those who couldn't go and get them themselves, she has become that person.

If she is going to get one then I want to help her choose the best one for her, the money isn't an issue, I'd rather she used it herself to enjoy life more than left me a little more, and I live 100 miles away so I'm not around to help on a daily basis. Dad whilst a lovely man isn't the most sympathetic in the world, and at some point we may need to have the talk about should he drive rather than my Mum who made that decision herself.

I think the idea she exercises a bit more might be worth pursuing perhaps if she could get herself to a class to help with her general mobility.

 

[summerdays]

Absolutely. Perceived loss of independence is one of the key reasons why people tend to ignore or not seek help for the early symptoms of AMD. Of course, this means that they are less able to access early treatment, which in some cases could significantly retard the progression of the disease, and that they are more likely to rapidly progress to a situation where their independence is curtailed.

She did seek help but apparently they gave her the wrong treatment for two years

 

[ufkacbln]

We used a Pride GOGO elite traveller and it was fine. YOu pay a little bit extra as it breaks down into manageable parst for stroage and transit in the car.

It is stable, easy to operate and we had no problems

Most are fairly similar, with diferent designs but the same operation.

There are no brakes, the motor does the braking when not powered. Control is by a simple set of levers, but not fully intuitive.

The switch is a "rocker, so pulling back on the right, and pushing forward on the left has the same effect. One direction is forward, the other is reverse.

It is (IMHO) essenial to have some sort of guard to prevent accidental movement when mounting and dismounting.

Steering is by turning the bars.

You can tilt the steering tiller back or forward to adjust for arms length, with a knurled knob allowing easy adjustment

The seat also raises and lowers. In some models there is also a lever that allows the seat to swivel to allow easier mounting and dismaounting

Speed is controlled by the small knob that alters the speed... bit like a dimmer switch!


Also most have a steering lock for use when transporting.

DO NOT forget to unlock when setting off or you only travel in a straight line

Operation is easy, and anyone can ride one fairly easily. It is all about staying within one's limets as far as speed and manoeuvrability are concerned. With all the variables then it is best to visit a shop and try a couple.

When you do, make sure that you can lift it in and out of the car - as this will soon be the requirement for days out. THey typically weigh about 60 - 70 kg as a whole, but broken down the battery and motor components are the heaviest modules at about 20 - 25 and are more manageable

Finally (for this post) battery care is essential to maintain longevity.

Apart from that it would be easier to answer specific question than generalise



PS... I "had" to buy a Christiania trike to carry ours around... or at least that is my excuse

 

[ufkacbln]

IT will give a whole new lease of independence and life..... So also research the local bus service as some have access, but you have to pass a "competency test" which issues you with a pass that most companies recognise. Trains will all allow them

First Bus brought a bus round, parked it in outside our house for my wife's test

 

[Thomk]

It was her decision as she felt she didn't have as clear a vision as she used to, not a medical one she isn't registered as partially sighted yet. I don't have to wear glasses to drive legally but I have astigmatism and know I can see better with them so always wear them to drive but not riding the bike strangely. Hopefully she would make the same decision to stop using the scooter when that time came.

My mum has Never been great at walking, when we were kids we always had to wait for her when we were out anywhere and now she gets embarrassed at how much she feels she is slowing everyone down (doesn't matter what you say to her), so it's not really as if she is giving up walking, she wouldn't walk to the doctors anyway since it moved to the other end of the large village.

In another post you mention the lack of independence and I think that is the bit she is really feeling, until last November she used to take library books to those who couldn't go and get them themselves, she has become that person.

If she is going to get one then I want to help her choose the best one for her, the money isn't an issue, I'd rather she used it herself to enjoy life more than left me a little more, and I live 100 miles away so I'm not around to help on a daily basis. Dad whilst a lovely man isn't the most sympathetic in the world, and at some point we may need to have the talk about should he drive rather than my Mum who made that decision herself.

I think the idea she exercises a bit more might be worth pursuing perhaps if she could get herself to a class to help with her general mobility.

It's quite possible that getting a scooter will be good for her fitness if it encourages her to get out more rather than be stuck in the house.