Electric Scooters
Information and Advice

Some quick electric scooters information:

Electric scooters were first invented in the late 1960's as a more durable answer to electric wheelchairs. Drawing inspiration from gas and electric powered transportation scooters, this new breed of mobility aid was designed to travel distances that an electric wheelchair could not be expected to make, and to traverse terrain where the lower horsepower and smaller wheel size of electric wheelchairs could not be expected to work efficiently.

Where electric wheelchairs compensate for loss of mobility indoors, electric scooters compensate for loss of mobility outdoors.

A Little Q & A:

Q: What's the difference between a mobility scooter and an electric wheelchair?

A: A mobilitiy scooter is meant to compensate for an inability to make longer trips on foot, generally for people who aren't limited to the point of not being able to make short trips on foot. Electric wheelchairs are intended for people with more limiting disabilities and are more suited to indoor use and limited outdoor use.

Q: What's all this about Medicare not covering scooters?

A: Medicare usually covers scooters, but there have been some limitations put in place recently regarding electric wheelchairs. If you need a scooter to move around for longer trips but can walk around your house with little to no trouble, you won't be covered for a wheelchair. Unfortunately, this marginalizes people such as arthritis sufferers who cannot operate a scooter, but don't need a wheelchair to walk around in their own homes.

Q: Do I need a scooter, or an electric wheelchair?

A: This is something to discuss with your doctor. Take into account your needs, and your lifestyle. Ask your doctor about the options.

Q: What is a bariatric scooter?

A: Bariatrics is the field of medicine dedicated to treating and researching obesity. A bariatric scooter is a scooter built to carry heavier users struggling with weight, although, bariatric scooters have also been put to good use by people who are simply built differently, and have come to be known as "big and tall scooters" by some users.

More electric scooters information:

Electric scooters are built to suit nearly every disability resulting in loss of mobility. The models available through PaceSaver are as varied as the people who operate them. For this reason, it can't be stressed enough that, should you find yourself in need of an electric scooter, it's imperative that you do the research to make sure that the scooter you're getting is exactly what you need . . . and safe!

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