Elderly individuals, who have difficulty with mobility, get a lot of aid to retain their independence in moving about and managing their everyday chores with the use of mobility scooters instead of having to walk around with strain. Choosing a mobility scooter depends greatly on the individual’s lifestyle, their restricted abilities, etc. Other factors that help with picking the right mobility scooter to depend on where it is planned to be used (indoors or outdoors), what is the capacity of holding weight, ease of transport, features such as speed, maneuverability, and leg room. Some individuals pick one for indoors and one scooter for outdoors. Some also go for a 2-in-1 scooter that gives them the comfort to maneuver through all forms of terrain with durable balance and without the fear of falling. Elderly individuals who have difficulty to retain their sitting posture for a long duration or those who have difficulty handling grip and controls may find that mobility scooters are not typically suited for them. The major dilemma when picking a mobility scooter is whether it should be 3-wheeled or 4-wheeled.
The major advantages and disadvantages of 3-wheeled scooters are:
- Scooters with three wheels have better maneuverability due to the tight turning radius.
- Best suited for navigating indoors but can also be used on paved streets and other outdoor areas.
- These scooters are easily portable due to their lightweight. An added advantage is that they can be easily dissembled and assembled as well for longer transport or store.
- Ample leg room space without bumping knees at the rest spots.
- Can be used at ease within crowded areas such as grocery stores, departmental stores, parks, etc.
- A disadvantage of 3-wheeled scooters is that they cannot be used on hard terrains.
- Not made for heavy duty durability
On the other hand, 4-wheeled scooters carry all of these advantages, as well as the last two negatives of 3-wheeled scooters, are stabilized in 4-wheeled ones. The comfort of use and feasibility are the only two determinants required while picking three-wheeled mobility scooters for the elderly.