Is a Scooter the Right Choice for You?

by Christina Medvescek

Scooters have an appeal that wheelchairs lack. Even the name is more fun. “Scooter” says Wheee! Here we go! “Wheelchair” says, bluntly, handicapped.

But while scooters may be more psychologically appealing, they aren’t the right mobility solution for everyone. Is it the right one for you? Here are some points to consider:

Why Buy a Scooter?

Jan Blaustone especially likes the lift seat in her Pride Legend scooter.

The basic advantage of scooters is that they tend to be more rugged outdoors, especially on slippery or uneven terrain. Jan Blaustone of Nashville, Tenn., uses both a power chair and scooter to accommmodate the ef-fects of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD).

She great- ly prefers her scooter when she’s outdoors. Not only does it allow her to haul grocer- ies, garbage cans and the occasional bag of mulch, but it can handle parks and playgrounds “like a tank.”

Blaustone also discovered the hard way that the electronic controls on a power chair can freeze up if the chair goes into a skid on slick pavement, while a scooter will allow you to steer out of the skid. (In 1996 she went head-first off an 8-foot embankment when a power wheelchair she was testing skidded on her steep, wet driveway.)

Scooter Requirements

There are two main criteria for scooter use: Can you sit upright for extended

Consult with an OT or PT before you buy a scooter, or rent one to see if it’s suitable. Photo courtesy of ScootAround.

periods without extensive head, neck and shoulder support, and can you steer using a tiller (basically a set of handlebars like those on a bicycle)? And if you answer yes to either question, will you still be able to do so in five years?

“People with more rapidly progressive diseases should not consider a scooter,” says Susan Taylor, an occupational therapist and seating and mobility specialist at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.

As muscles weaken, people may need powered seating (like power tilt and recline) to assist with fatigue and pressure relief. In addition, progressive arm weakness may make it impossible to steer using a tiller. Unlike power chairs, scooters can’t be substantially modified to accommodate these needs.

“If you are likely to need more support or powered seating within five years, strongly consider a powered wheelchair instead,” Taylor advises.

Buying a Scooter

If you have a more slowly progressive condition and a scooter meets your requirements, you’ll have many to choose from — at least 40 different models currently are on the market. When scooter shopping, keep in mind:

Where will you be using the scooter?

Three-wheeled scooters offer greater indoor mobility and a tight turning radius. Four- and six-wheeled models provide more stability and comfort over rugged terrain, but are bulky for indoor use.

What will fit your body best?

Most manufacturers list weight restrictions for each vehicle; if you’ll be carrying groceries, books or a grandchild, be sure to add that weight into your calculations.

Check to see if you can customize the seat by adding extra padding, a swivel (especially important if you wear leg braces), height adjustment or arms that rotate out of the way. Some scooters can be adjusted for length, and some seats have arms that can be made wider to allow for heavy winter coats.

What accessories do you need?

Most users add a basket, cup or cane holder, or maybe a louder horn. Headlights and taillights are essential for nighttime “scooting” and the built-in kind are best, as add-ons tend to get knocked off.

Built-in battery chargers make the scooter much more convenient. You can charge up while eating lunch in a res-taurant. How- ever, the charger also adds to the weight, meaning the scooter may be too heavy to lift into the trunk of a car.

For Blaustone, the most important feature is her “lift seat” which raises her to a practical height for dish washing, grocery shopping, vacuuming and getting clothes out of the closet. Although at first she thought it wasn’t necessary, now she vows, “I wouldn’t have a scooter unless it had an elevator seat!”

Get professional advice before buying.

Consult a physical or occupational therapist with experience in positioning and seating. He or she can help anticipate your future needs, offer advice on size, configuration and options, and train you to use your new equipment.

Shop around.

Scooters are widely available from local dealers, on the Internet and used. Rent one for a week before buying, to be sure it’s right for you.

If you’re still ambulatory inside your home, Medicare may not pay for a scooter, but MDA will help with the cost if it’s prescribed by an MDA doctor.

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