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Our 77-year-old mother wants to draw down her savings to buy an expensive scooter. We are concerned on several levels. First, she needs exercise and she can walk just fine without even a walker. Second, her home is an older 1940s model with narrow hallways and small rooms. And, of course, the expense. Are we being unrealistic?
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The scooters that are available now for older adults with physical limitations are very handy to have. They make accessiblity possible for people who can't walk very far without becoming winded and for those with physical disabilities.
Your conerns about the scooter limiting your mother's physical activity and exercise is a realistic one. She should really be evaluated by a physician and a physical therapist for mobility needs before purchasing a unit on her own.
Besides determining her need for a scooter, if one is indeed needed, the therapist can prescribe the right kind for her specific situation. Even the compact scooters are fairly large when it comes to navigating narrow hallways in older homes and small living spaces (not to mention public bathrooms). Spending money on a scooter only to find out she can't operate it or it's too large for her house can be a frustrating and expensive mistake.
Many people rely on the scooter type mobility equipment for outdoor use only. But they must drive on finished surfaces and avoid uneven terrain. They have some limitations in walking but have good trunk control, can get in and out of the scooter, and operate the hand controls easily. The scooters do work quite well in malls, stores, or other larger shopping areas.
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