Mobility scooter

Money_Maker_Shaker

Hi all, I'm hoping you can help.

My Nan, after many nasty falls, has finally agreed that she will use a mobility scooter (or whatever you call them!) to get around. Trouble is none of us have any idea how much these things cost and the best place to source a good deal. We really don't mind it being second hand, only criteria is it needs to be 4 wheeled and stable .

Any suggestions from you lovely people on where I should start looking for a good deal?

Best wishes

MMS

lamb7994

Hi

What area are you in?

Help the aged do mobility scooters from their website if you want to have a look to give you an idea :
http://www.helptheagedshop.co.uk

In my area (Reading) there are a couple of mobility shops is there nothing like that in you area?

If you let me know what town you're in i'll have a look for you.


James

Js_Other_Half

My initial question would be how old is she and is she getting either Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance?

Do as James suggests contact an appropriate charity for advice.

Ted_Hutchinson

lamb7994 wrote: »

Hi

What area are you in?

Help the aged do mobility scooters from their website if you want to have a look to give you an idea :
http://www.helptheagedshop.co.uk

In my area (Reading) there are a couple of mobility shops is there nothing like that in you area?

If you let me know what town you're in i'll have a look for you.


James

You will see that Youreable have much the same range of scooters as Help the Aged but at significantly reduced price.
If you look at any of the secondhand market the first thing you will realise is the HUGE number of NEARLY NEW, hardly used, used three times only type comments on them. A dreadfully high number of these mobility scooters are bought with good intentions but fail to meet the customers expectations.
BEFORE you buy you must be sure the person who is going to use it has had a trial with a similar model at a Shopmobility or had several goes at a national trust property or the largest superstores sometimes have them.

Do check out the secondhand market such as Disability Equipment Register or EBAY Scooters as there are always nearly new, rarely used models available that you should be able to learn from others mistakes.

Penny_Watcher

My Dad thought about getting one a while ago, but didn't because he had nowhere to keep it.

We were recommended that Dad tried out the scooter before he bought one.

Money_Maker_Shaker

Blimey, you are all on the ball tonight!

Nan lives in Bracknell, so not far from you Lamb9794 and yes there is a Shopmobility place which they will be heading down to visit soon. Unfortunately at the moment the sheltered housing she lives in hasn't got any spare spaces to store another scooter so until a space frees up she's a little stuck.

She's on some benefits but not any disability related ones. The falls are a relatively new problem and my family has now applied for a disability badge to use in the car when they take her out. She's elderly rather than disabled, so I don't think she's entitled to any other benefits - but perhaps I should also look into this further.

Interesting info on the range of prices, happy to buy off the internet but is there anything like a price comparison site for scooters so I know what is a good deal?

Best wishes

MMS

Js_Other_Half

Money_Maker_Shaker wrote: »

She's on some benefits but not any disability related ones. The falls are a relatively new problem and my family has now applied for a disability badge to use in the car when they take her out. She's elderly rather than disabled, so I don't think she's entitled to any other benefits - but perhaps I should also look into this further.

This is the criteria used by one council awarding blue badges:
http://www.kirklees.gov.uk/community/health-care/independent/mobility/bluebadge.shtml
"How do I qualify for a parking badge

You can get a parking badge, if:

• you are registered blind
• you receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance or War Pensioners Mobility Supplement
• you have a permanent major disability which makes you unable or virtually unable to walk
• your car is supplied by a government department or you receive a government grant towards it
• you have a severe disability in both upper arms which means you would not be able to turn the steering wheel of a car, even if it was fitted with a turning knob. You must also be the driver of the car"

Given those criteria I wouldn't be surprised to find that the blue badge won't be awarded for your grandmother.
However, I do think it would be worthwhile contacting your local benefits advice service (sometimes run in partnership with CAB) to discuss the benefits available.

lamb7994

Money_Maker_Shaker wrote: »

Blimey, you are all on the ball tonight!

Nan lives in Bracknell, so not far from you Lamb9794 and yes there is a Shopmobility place which they will be heading down to visit soon. Unfortunately at the moment the sheltered housing she lives in hasn't got any spare spaces to store another scooter so until a space frees up she's a little stuck.

She's on some benefits but not any disability related ones. The falls are a relatively new problem and my family has now applied for a disability badge to use in the car when they take her out. She's elderly rather than disabled, so I don't think she's entitled to any other benefits - but perhaps I should also look into this further.

Interesting info on the range of prices, happy to buy off the internet but is there anything like a price comparison site for scooters so I know what is a good deal?

Best wishes

MMS

Hi


There's a shop called sun mobility in Lower Earley in reading not too far from you, they are excellent in there they will spend as much time as you need and they have loads of models in there shop.
It is in the asda Shopping mall which has free parking just outside. They also do home visits but it would be hard to see all their range.

Someone mentioned about You're able it is part of help the aged/works with help the aged so they stock simular items.

I've been recommended this website after chatting to people at work (help the Aged) it's quite handy with a discussion forum about scooters.
http://www.help-my-mobility.co.uk/Mobility_Scooters.html

Let me know if you need any further help.


James

Bananabelly

I am a physiotherapist, though I don't really work in that area of expertise, however, I would urge your Nan to seek the advice of a physio or occupational therapist about her falls and her home setup. Many NHS physiotherapy departments (including mine, though I am nowhere near you unfortunately!) have a falls prevention program as it is a real problem in elderly populations, and if they have been to one of these programs they are far less likely to fall anyway. If your Nan relies on a mobility scooter she may get more frail and weak - if you don't use it, you lose it! There may be reasons for her falls that can be addressed, or she may be suitable for a walking aid rather than a scooter??However, not knowing all the details, many people do need mobility scooters and physios and OTs that work in that area are experts at advising on the right one for people, and obtaining any help that your Nan might be entitled to to help purchase one. Usually if people are on any kind of benefit there is some help available.

elaine373

Ebay?? I have seen some go for very good prices there.

Savvy_Sue

I agree with bananabelly, there may be a 'dizzy physio' clinic to which she could be referred (even if she doesn't think the falls are caused by being dizzy), or a falls clinic. If it is a 'dizzy' thing, then there are little exercises which might help.