for those of you with mobility disabilities-do you prefer a scooter with the handle bar or the chair like a hoverround
Which one is better depends on your specific disabilities, how much you can afford, and how you are paying for it. A typical scooter does not work for a person who needs upper body support. A person has to be able to support their upper body, balance, and steer the scooter utilizing their shoulders and arms. They need to have a usable thumb to keep it moving (unless adapted.) They come in 3 or 4 wheeled versions. Generally 4 wheeled versions are for heavier people or people who use their scooter outdoors. 4 wheeled scooters often have bigger tires. Scooters intended to be used outdoor usually have more powerful batteries. Scooters can often be folded down and stored in the trunk of a car. A hoverround or a powerchair is designed to give a person's body more support, they can be strapped in, they can recline, they can have their legs raised. They can have different seating style to help keep a body properly aligned. They can be powered by a variety of means - a directional handle control, a puffer device, and all kind of interesting possibilities. A power chair is less likely to be able to be folded down and stored in a trunk. So you will likely need a ramp or lift equiped vehicle. A person who need considerable help to get into a chair will likely prefer a powerchair as the handle piece can make it difficult to transfer into a scooter. Scooters are generally more generic machines - so when people resell them they are more likely to work just fine for you. Powerchairs are more specialized and you really have to be sure they are a good fit. It is very difficult to get medicaid to pay for a powerchair anymore. I have 2 scooters. I heavy duty for outside and long distance and another for short duration, inside, and when I want to take up less trunk space. The first I bought slightly used 10 years ago for $500, the second I bought new last year for $1,000. You cannot get a powerchair for anything like that.
That really depends on your upper body strength. If you can stand up and down fairly easily, a scooter would be the best suggestion for several different reasons. A powerchair is by far a more drastic decision that can mean a significant loss of mobility. Others here have mentioned the expense of a powerchair--a good one that is custom fit to your body type can easily run 12-15K. Housing needs change once a powerchair is required--wheelchair mobility now becomes a serious consideration. Transportation is another challenge that requires planning and potentially expensive solutions. Both are fantastic tools but you need to look at all facets of your life before you make a potentially life changing decision.
Depends on your mode of transport. A good power chair, NOT a Hoveround, is a better option for people who use public transit or have accessible vehicles. They are smaller and typically more customizable. If you need something that goes into the trunk of a car, then a scooter is a better choice.
Power Chair/ remember it's not just for inside....when you go on vacation an such you need a quality chair...hoveround is basically better inside/The scooter store has several models of chairs...of high quality and no cost..if you have medicare which yoiu should if you've been disabled over 1 year.
i actually prefer my quickie power chair. i dont like the people from hoverround. they came to my house for a test drive and yelled at my dog when she did nothing wrong. im slightly hearing impaired and if i remember she was alerting me to a noise. anyway, i like the scooters at places i shop at because it makes my shopping experience 100% better when im not trying to wheel and hold onto my purchases. they have a wheelchair (cant remember the brand offhand) that you can have it as a power chair and it also converts to a scooter. by the way i can and do drive a normal car.
