Keep Your Mobility Scooter Working: A Maintenance Checklist

Seniors and people with physical disabilities have to deal with limited mobility every day. This can hinder their ability to complete daily tasks and increase their risks for slips and falls, which can cause serious injuries. Fortunately, there are mobility aids, like electric scooters, that can improve the quality of their life and minimize their risks of accidents.

 

Electric mobility scooters, however, require proper maintenance and the right accessories to keep them in excellent condition and prolong its lifespan. Otherwise, you’ll lose not only your investment, but also your or your loved ones chance to live independently amid mobility issues.

 

Self-Reliance with a Properly Functioning Mobility Scooter

 

A well-kept scooter provides several benefits that significantly improve the lifestyle of users. These include the following:

  • Lowering the risk of falls. A scooter allows seniors or physically challenged individuals to move around without the risk of falling. Falls can lead to injuries that can cause further complications.
  • Encouraging individuals to stay active. One major purpose of a mobility scooter is to provide users with the independence to move around indoors and outdoors. The ability to move independently can motivate them to stay active, which promotes better wellbeing.
  • Less hospital stays. A mobility scooter helps users avoid injuries, which can save money on costly hospitalization.
  • Making shopping more convenient. Errands become easier with a mobility scooter. You or your loved one can head to the mall or the neighborhood store to get supplies for the house without relying on further assistance from friends or family.

 

Maintenance Tasks to Prioritize

 

Knowledge of proper maintenance ensures the scooter will last for as long as it’s necessary, even with daily use.

Here are some maintenance tasks that you should do:

  • Check the batteries. You should know what type of battery your scooter has to determine the right maintenance method. Some batteries must be discharged completely before recharging, while others can be recharged anytime.
  • Clean your device at least once a week. You may use a damp cloth to clean the surface. There are also special cleaners designed for cleaning mobility scooters. Avoid damaging the surface when cleaning.
  • Consider getting the device serviced once a year. It’s vital to the health of your scooter if a professional will check on it at least once a year. A professional can spot any problem that needs an immediate solution before it gets worse.
  • Read the manual. Some users would skip this part, but the manual has maintenance instructions specific to the brand and the type of scooter (e.g., three-wheel, heavy duty, or portable). It may also contain guidance on common signs that indicate your scooter may break down.

 

Invest in High-Quality Accessories

 

Apart from proper maintenance, the right accessories can help you protect your mobility scooter against various elements. These can contribute to extending the lifespan of your mobility aid. Some accessories, like scooter lifts, also make it convenient for you to carry your scooter.

Here at 1800wheelchair.com, we offer different mobility scooter accessories to help or your loved one maximize the use of a mobility aid. You can choose from our selection of bags, covers, and lifts, among others that fit your needs. We use only durable materials to meet your requirements.

 

Contact us for further information.

Helping Someone with Limited Mobility Accomplish Everyday Chores with Ease

The sight of a person on a wheelchair brings misconceptions. Many non-disabled individuals assume wheelchair users are severely sick, have mental conditions, or cannot walk completely. While this may be true in some cases, many wheelchair users can function well enough. The only reason they need a wheelchair is that they have limited mobility. The wheelchair helps them get on with their everyday activities.

 

Many wheelchair users can accomplish the following chores despite their conditions, proving that they can get by with their mobility issues:

  1. Vacuuming with a handheld cordless vacuum
  2. Sweeping with a lightweight broom
  3. Gardening on an elevated bed planter
  4. Cleaning dishes with a dishwasher
  5. Doing the laundry with a front-loading washing machine
  6. Prepping meals on a height-adjustable work surface
  7. Creating shopping lists and grocery inventory
  8. Keeping track of finances and budget
  9. Paying bills online or through digital means

 

In 2016, approximately 1.85 percent of the world’s population required a wheelchair, according to the Wheelchair Foundation. That percentage translated to about 131,800,000 people.

 

Making the Home Wheelchair-Friendly

 

With more people requiring wheelchairs, it’s time for home builders and contractors to design residential structures that adapt to the needs of these individuals. Family members must also keep these needs in mind when thinking of the layout of the home, to accommodate the wheelchair user.

 

Start with the doorway and the ramp. The Americans with Disabilities Act sets the standard for doorway width, which should allow a wheelchair to enter or exit, as well as maneuver easily. Family members or landlords must also simplify the interior layout to facilitate wheelchair movement and maintain the safety of the disabled resident. Here’s how:

  1. In the kitchen, invest in wall ovens instead of standard floor units. To help wheelchair users see the contents of pots and pans while cooking, place mirrors where necessary. Still, though these handy tools are available, someone should assist the wheelchair user cook to ensure safety.

 

  1. Remove unnecessary objects from the living room, so there will be fewer items to dust and clean. Also, furniture should be strategically positioned to allow for wheelchair access.

 

  1. In the laundry room, place all hampers, detergents, and other laundry materials in one reachable place so that the wheelchair user doesn’t have to go back and forth to fetch things. Opt for non-slip flooring in this part of the house.

 

  1. Place storage cabinets on the floor in kitchens, laundry rooms, and washrooms. Make sure they have side openings for easy access to stored items.

 

While the wheelchair is a part of who they are, wheelchair users are not defined by their wheelchairs or their conditions. Friends and family should not be quick to dismiss their interest to help out around the house. Instead, they should encourage these individuals to find something valuable or meaningful to do. When wheelchair users are not pitied or treated differently, they can start feeling like 98 percent of the population.

 

If you or your loved one is looking for a place to buy a wheelchair to help with your loved one’s mobility needs, you’ve come to the right site. Here at 1800wheelchair.com, we offer various wheelchairs that suit your unique needs.

 

Talk to us today for any questions and subscribe to our newsletters for exclusive deals.

Helpful Resources for the Aging

This article is brought to you by 1800wheelchair; we offer power wheelchairs, mobility scooters, & walkers.

Aging is a part of life that nobody can avoid. Whether it’s yourself or a family member, it is important to remember there are resources available to help target almost any obstacle or question. An aging person should be treated with dignity and respect. Below is a useful resource guide targeted to help anyone with questions.

Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia

National Institute on Aging — Information on Alzheimer’s Disease including symptoms, general information, coping, and treatment of the disease.

Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center– Information and different ways to rate cognitive and functional performance related to Alzheimer Disease.

Memory and Aging Center — A list of dementia resources available including websites, books, articles, and videos.

Alzheimer’s Association — Learn about Alzheimer’s Disease and recent news on it.

Alzheimer’s , Dementia, and Driving — Information, resources, and support on Alzheimer’s Disease.

Assistive Technology and Aging

Sage Advice Information and help with assistive technology.

CODI — Information on assistive technology resources for people with disabilities.

Intellectual Disabilities, Aging & Dementia — Information and help for people with disabilities, including research and training.

Caregiver Resources

The Family Caregiver Handbook — Information and help to find caregiver support and resources based out of Massachusetts.

Caregiver Resources— A collection of various links for caregivers on topics from resource materials to finances.

Patient/ Caregiver Resources— Guidance and a list of websites on how to find the proper help after receiving a diagnoses.

Consumer Protection & the Elderly

Elder Consumer Protection Program– A progressive and educational program for professionals on general and legal topics for the elderly.

Internet Resources for Gerontology — Information on The Elderly Abuse and Exploitation Project.

Disability and Aging

Aging Resources Available at the Center for Disabilty Resources Library– Resources available for elderly with disabilities.

Disability Programs — Information for people who are on disability through social security.

Elder Law

Elder Law– A resource page of links of elder law information and research guides.

Aging with Dignity– A medical directive in 20 languages giving the patient 5 wishes the elderly patient wants to have made.

Older People Work Longer for Less– A resource available that helps older people claim their rights and challenge discrimination.

International Federation on Aging — Information on an international non-governmental organization who believes in positive change for older people throughout the world.

Exercise and Fitness

The Age Antidote Information on the effects exercise has on the brain.

Nursing Homes

A Place for Mom— Local Senior Living Advisors offer personalized guidance at no charge to caregivers as they search for the right senior care for a loved one.

Listing U.S. nursing homes and their quality ratings.

Family Resource Center– A list of skilled nursing home resources.

Nursing Homes– Resources on nursing homes and different units available.

Before Moving into a Nursing Home– An article about what you should consider before moving into s nursing home.

Resource Center on Aging — A center providing information and education on the elderly and nursing home resources.

Mental Health and Aging

Mental Health and Aging– A resource for mental illness and the aging web links.

Center for Mental Health and Aging– A center for education, testing, and disseminating information on the aging and mental health.

Mental Health & Aging Project– A program offering education, training, and consults for clinicians.

Center for Mental Health and Aging– A center dedicated on improving lives of older people living in the community.

Transportation and Mobility

Safe Mobility for Older Persons– Information on effects elderly driving has on society and the negative consequences for older people.

Healthy Aging Column- Transportation for the Aging Population — Information on the increased number of traffic accidents caused by the elderly.

Pedestrian Mobility Aids for the Elderly– Information on the elderly and how important it is to have mobility.

Workforce & Aging

Aging & Work– Information on the aging in the workforce.

Workers Affected by Chronic Conditions: How can workplace policies and programs help?– An article on workplace policies and chronic conditions and the effects on elderly people.

AGS Foundation for Health in Aging — Resources for the elderly in the workplace.

Programs— A program from the School of Labor & Industrial Relations dealing with laws against discrimination of the elderly in the workplace.

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