Guest post written by Mobility Scooters Products Co, ltd

Whether through age, disease or accident, many people end up requiring a mobility device at some stage in their lives. For some it’s just a temporary stopgap, for others a permanent fixture in their lives. In either case, the choice of device is crucial to well being and the quality of life. Here’s an overview of mobility options for the disabled to help you make the best choice.

The traditional solution is the wheelchair. Wheelchairs come as manual items which the user powers via wheel rims or a lever. These devices are suitable for those with the good upper body strength needed to propel the device, thus best suited to people whose mobility problem involves only their lower body. Another type of manually-propelled wheelchair is a lever-drive one. The user propels the chair forwards by using a lever that is pumped back and forth. Some chairs allow the user to move using one or both feet instead of using the rims. Other manual wheelchairs are pushed along by an attendant.

Electric (powered) wheelchairs, which are powered by rechargeable batteries (by connecting them to standard electric outlets), are ideal for those who lack upper body strength as they’re steered by a joystick. The basic types are rear, centre, front-wheel driven and four-wheel driven. However a power wheelchair is not suitable for someone suffering from poor visual perception or coordination.

The second kind of mobility device is the mobility scooter. Mobility scooters blend the functionality of the wheelchair with the form of a scooter. They’re steered with a handlebar. Like power chairs, they’re suitable for people lacking the stamina or arm/shoulder flexibility needed to use a manual wheelchair. Compared to wheelchairs, they offer fewer medical support options. So they’re not suitable for those who have problems supporting their heads or bodies. They are helpful for users suffering from disabling conditions such as arthritis. Users just need to be able to sit erect without torso support.
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