Safety is an important issue for seniors. Feeling secure strongly affects people’s willingness to move about in the local community, which in turn affects their independence, physical health, social integration and emotional wellbeing.
Concerns about safety include matters such as street lighting, maintenance of pavements, ability to cross the road safely as well as violence and crime. Older people’s confidence and sense of wellbeing can be improved by measures including good passive surveillance of public spaces, good street lighting, police patrols, enforcement of by-laws, and support for community and personal safety initiatives (Victorian Department of Planning and Community Development, 2009).
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Users should take care when riding an electric mobility scooter and observe the following basic safety guidelines:
- Stay within the legal speed limit of 10 km/h.
- Be aware that taking medication or driving under the influence of alcohol may affect the mobility scooter user's judgement.
- Always make sure that you are clearly visible when operating your motorised mobility scooter, particularly at night or on dull days, use the lights and reflectors and install a reflective safety flag high enough to be seen by motorists.
- Wear a bicycle helmet when using your electric mobility scooter.
- Slow down when you are near other people, especially pedestrians and cyclists.
- Avoid stopping or driving on inclines greater than your mobility scooter is designed for.
- Use footpaths whenever possible. If there are no footpaths, plan to use quieter roads. Plan your trip and avoid uneven surfaces, dips and pot-holes.
- Ensure if you are carrying parcels that the load will not over-balance your electric scooter and the parcels do interfere with your controls or vision.
- Become familiar with your Scooter Smart® mobility scooter prior to long distance driving.
Disability can touch anyone at anytime and can vary in many forms. There is no single electric mobility scooter that can meet everyone’s needs. When researching whether a mobility scooter is right for you, there are a few issues you must consider before you make your purchase. Your decision should be based on your weight, your height, your personal abilities and importantly, what you want out of your scooter.
Also consider whether you are on your own or you have a partner, family or friends sharing your everyday life. Are you able to rely on others to help you with needs? Do you plan to use your scooter on a daily basis? Will you need assistance loading and unloading your scooter for outings? Have you considered somewhere safe to store your scooter with easy access?
There are many options when choosing a scooter. Will a 3 or 4 wheel scooter suit you better? Do you need a small indoor scooter or a large outdoor scooter? There are benefits and disadvantages with both. Generally speaking a 4 wheeler is more stable by having that additional wheel on the ground. On the other hand a 3 wheeler can provide more leg room and manoeuvrability, so if you are indoors, like to go to shopping centres a lot or live in a aged care facility, maybe a 3 wheeler suits you needs better.
If you are in doubt with regards to knowing what is more practical for you, there are many means to help determine what suits your needs. Doctors, Occupational Therapists, even your local scooter supplier can point you in the right direction. So before you make that lasting and important decision, do your homework and talk to a professional first.
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