Finding methods of preserving independence is often very important for seniors. There are many things that might be difficult or perhaps even dangerous to do, but if it means giving up personal freedom, it can often be very hard to do. Frequently, walking around becomes very difficult, especially for extended periods of time, so people frequently turn to a mobility scooter.



Mobility scooters, which are sometimes called adult scooters, are a type of personal mobility vehicle. They can be used indoors or outdoors, to carry a person safely and easily. They are similar to wheelchairs, in that they make moving between areas easier.

However, unlike wheelchairs, mobility scooters are usually intended for people who can walk for short distances, but become tired or are unable to walk for extended periods of time.

These devices are either 3 wheeled or 4 wheeled and provide a seat for the occupant. The seat is positioned towards the rear of the scooter's base and a set of handlebars are used to control it. The handlebars can typically be adjusted to accommodate people of different sizes and the seat pivots to allow an individual to exit the scooter easier.

Mobility scooters are not something that is new and have instead been around for some time. In fact they have been around for more than fifty years; however, they have of course improved greatly since these first early models. One of the biggest improvements is to battery life, with some scooters being able to travel well over forty miles on a single charge. This is typical of heavy duty scooters, but regular scooters usually have a lower range. A typical non-heavy duty scooter will be able to travel around 10 to 20 miles without needing to be recharged.

The number of wheels a scooter has can affect where it can be used. For instance, three wheeled scooters have a fairly small turning radius, which makes them a good choice for indoor use or areas that are very tight in quarters. However, this extra maneuverability is at the cost of stability, so they are not as good of a choice for predominantly outdoor use. They are also a little lighter in weight, so most travel scooters, which are a special type of scooter designed to be taken apart easily, are three wheeled.

Instead, for outdoor use a four wheel scooter is usually used. They are not quite as maneuverable as three wheeled scooters, but they offer much better stability. As a result, most heavy duty scooters feature four wheels.

Mobility scooters provide an excellent way for people who have limited mobility to get around. They can be used indoors or outdoors, and make it much easier for millions of Americans to get around every year.