Portable Mobility Scooters

Kido250

Walking for my father is getting increasingly difficult. He currently uses a stroller when out and about but he's struggling with that now too. We're thinking of getting him a mobility scooter so he can go into town with my Mum. It would need to be able to fit in a hatchback car (Kia Niro). We've looked at a few online but the bit that I'm a little concerned about is the weight of the heaviest part on the ones that pull apart.. The lightest I can see is 10kg and my mother could lift that now, but it would be a struggle and as she's over 80 I think it would soon become too much for her and the scooter would only be able to be used when I was with them. Does anyone know of any which have lighter components? We don't need it to go over 3mph or for longer than 5 miles. He wouldn't go out on his own on it, it's just so he can get out and go into town with Mum and come and watch the dog run in the park which has proper tarmac paths.

poppy12345

The ones that can be taken apart and put into a boot of the car are extremely heavy. You also need rather a large boot, even when they are taken apart. I wouldn't recommend any of those to be honest.

Which others maybe suitable really does depend on the budget.

Savvy_Sue

Before you go any further, it might be worth going somewhere that offers a Shopmobility scheme for use in shopping centres etc. I don't know where you're based, or whether they are operating at the moment, but being able to hire a wheelchair was really helpful for us: the Swindon retail park was a really convenient place for some of my siblings and I to take Mum, but even the flat walking there was beyond her. 

We had a few idle musings about how she'd get on with a powered mobility scooter, but in the end she agreed that she was unlikely to feel confident to use it safely. Even at 3 mph it's possible to get into quite a pickle ... 

Spoonie_Turtle

Savvy_Sue said:

Before you go any further, it might be worth going somewhere that offers a Shopmobility scheme for use in shopping centres etc. I don't know where you're based, or whether they are operating at the moment, but being able to hire a wheelchair was really helpful for us: the Swindon retail park was a really convenient place for some of my siblings and I to take Mum, but even the flat walking there was beyond her. 

We had a few idle musings about how she'd get on with a powered mobility scooter, but in the end she agreed that she was unlikely to feel confident to use it safely. Even at 3 mph it's possible to get into quite a pickle ... 

With Shopmobility it would be a good chance for someone to try one out (with zero pressure to make any decisions), and if it turns out not to be suitable you could probably even go back and swap it for a wheelchair for the rest of the trip.

TomD77

From experience i know the less someone moves about on their own the more their weight incrases, and I think you would want to have a mobility scooter that can lift some weight. I'm not really in a position to advise you, but as a heavy guy myself and someone who uses mobility scooter to get by (5 years now) I think you should definitely look for something with Lithium-Ion battery. The Lead Acid ones weight a lot in any scooter. If I recall correctly this FASTER mobility scooter (apologies for admins for the link in advance, this isn't me doing some shop promotion so I hope you understand) https://velobike.co.uk/en/shop/product/faster/ which one of my friend recently has ordered uses one. It isn't foldable, but to be honest at some point your dad won't be using anything else I think.

For the foldable ones, you will be looking over for a mobility trike, but I don't recommend them. They are foldable and so on, but going long term you would want your father to sit in one with four wheels (not three) and that is more secure (and gives more comfort, old guys and gals tend to worry about falling from mobility scooter) and comfortable. As far as I know those foldable models aren't that great if you sit in them for prolonged period of time either. Basically, if you are thinking of buying I guess you should re-consider a long-term game as you won't find the 'perfect solution'. My honest opinion? While folding the scooter and carrying it around seems great, I think you should prioritize comfort of your father first.

Spoonie_Turtle

TomD77 said:

From experience i know the less someone moves about on their own the more their weight incrases, and I think you would want to have a mobility scooter that can lift some weight. I'm not really in a position to advise you, but as a heavy guy myself and someone who uses mobility scooter to get by (5 years now) I think you should definitely look for something with Lithium-Ion battery. The Lead Acid ones weight a lot in any scooter. If I recall correctly this FASTER mobility scooter (apologies for admins for the link in advance, this isn't me doing some shop promotion so I hope you understand) https://velobike.co.uk/en/shop/product/faster/ which one of my friend recently has ordered uses one. It isn't foldable, but to be honest at some point your dad won't be using anything else I think.

For the foldable ones, you will be looking over for a mobility trike, but I don't recommend them. They are foldable and so on, but going long term you would want your father to sit in one with four wheels (not three) and that is more secure (and gives more comfort, old guys and gals tend to worry about falling from mobility scooter) and comfortable. As far as I know those foldable models aren't that great if you sit in them for prolonged period of time either. Basically, if you are thinking of buying I guess you should re-consider a long-term game as you won't find the 'perfect solution'. My honest opinion? While folding the scooter and carrying it around seems great, I think you should prioritize comfort of your father first.

I can't quite work out if this is just ignorance and insensitivity, or if you are just trying to spam. 

Also there are plenty of four-wheeled folding ones with comfy seats ... okay now I *am* sure which this comment is.

Cyclamen

I ave been using mobility scooters/wheelchairs for about 10 years - Sadly they are still often too heavy to lift.  
Is it possible to get a hoist fitted in their car?  
Personally i prefer wheelchairs as it leaves my arms free for shopping, i can get up to a table, smaller foot print and can hold my husband arms... however i did start with mobility scooters before my arms became too weak. 
Powerchair wise.. reno 2 /shoprider vienna .. they weigh a bit more but my husband, family, crarers found them easier to lift as they were a better shape.. also easier to pack in car. 
I know use a really expensive transportable wheelchair - as needed something light enough to go in taxi's (we dont have a car) it's an alber efix but i wouldnt recomend due to cost and maintenance but i love mine. 

It's worth looking at a decent cushion what ever you choose.. it will help with comfort 

Rodders53

A hoist is a practical solution but not cheap https://adaptationstation.co.uk/collections/boot-hoists is an example provider NOT a recommendation!  A 4-way motor version will save manual effort pushing / pulling the scooter in/out of the boot.
Nor are the pavement/shopping scooters inexpensive (especially if very lightweight alloys and/or with lithium cells).  The smallest lightest seem to have a driver perched on a short, narrow wheelbase... not conducive to comfort or stability imho.  Larger wheels and pneumatic will give a more comfortable ride, but at a cost of size and weight.

Scooters take some getting used to driving safely. Far too easy to pull / push to GO lever to max thinking it is a brake! (Let go to stop, almost instantly, is a skill). Pedestrians need the scooter driver to anticipate their stupidity rather too often, as well!

Shopmobility scooters are generally much larger scooters and not as comparable as the smaller shoppers, but even so well worth visiting one with both parents to see them and perhaps try one.

The better mobility shops may not pressure sell and offer advice / test drives to see what may suit best?  They may also fit hoists and be able to advise on that aspect, too?  

Kia dealership will probably do Motability and could well have contacts regarding adaptations specialists including hoists and maybe scooters that can fit the Niro?  Such people are often hidden away on industrial estates and have little or no need to advertise.

crazydoglady3

Hi  

The disability living foundation have a website called  asksara (I can't post a link as I am a new forum member but if you Google asksara you should get it) which has sections for various aids for people with disabilities. The mobility section may be of some use to you. 

crazydoglady3

The Disabled Living foundation (dlf) also have a range of factsheets that may help as well.  If you Google 'disabled living foundation factsheets you should find them '. 

I hope you manage to find something suitable.. my advice is to take your time and if possible find a company who will let you test the scooter before buying. 

born_again

Kido250 said:

Walking for my father is getting increasingly difficult. He currently uses a stroller when out and about but he's struggling with that now too. We're thinking of getting him a mobility scooter so he can go into town with my Mum. It would need to be able to fit in a hatchback car (Kia Niro). We've looked at a few online but the bit that I'm a little concerned about is the weight of the heaviest part on the ones that pull apart.. The lightest I can see is 10kg and my mother could lift that now, but it would be a struggle and as she's over 80 I think it would soon become too much for her and the scooter would only be able to be used when I was with them. Does anyone know of any which have lighter components? We don't need it to go over 3mph or for longer than 5 miles. He wouldn't go out on his own on it, it's just so he can get out and go into town with Mum and come and watch the dog run in the park which has proper tarmac paths.

We have a Kia Stonic (smaller boot than Nero). 
We also have one of the take apart scooters I-go Vertex Sport. It can be fitted across the back of the boot as a whole other than the seat (painful bit to find a home for).
YES it is heavy to lift battery & rear wheels in. 
But have found the benefits do out way the down side. 
There are some smaller & lighter ones = Cost more. Not as off road friendly.
This week we managed to really take it off road round some woods with decent paths (Bacton woods, norfolk) was about as rough as you could stand. But meant a family walk with dogs somewhere safe.
Have a look at careco website as they list the weights of the scooters. Also a good place to go and try them out.