Advice regarding mobility scooters

I meant to type NT place ( National Trust).

Not everyone likes or wants a scooter, before you buy one make sure she will use it, I’m not sure if you can hire one but there are quite a few attractions that let you book one for your visit.

We bought one for mum, she used it twice.

Eventually DH’s scooter was too heavy for him or me or the two of us to lift into the boot, even in its five parts. So he could no longer use it if we went to a NY place. He still used it a bit locally but was always concerned about the stability on uneven pavements.
The best ie most stable ones are big, too big for the car boot. But you see people going too fast on them, over- confident, or disregarding pedestrians. One shot past me in the supermarket today. I only just got out of his way in time.

See if you can speak to an occupational therapist to get advice and help. You should be able to access one through your GP's syrgery.

Failing that go to a supplier with a large showroom with a range of buggies you can examine and trial.

Google 'advice on buying a mobility scooter' and you will find a range of organisations like Which?, Independent Living and the NHS listed.

Is eyesight not a factor also?

I agree it is a minefield and the person's weight is also a consideration.

Spam, choughdancer.

One thing I wish I had been aware of when I bought one for Mum, is that the scooter stops when you let go of the handles. I don't know if they are all like this, but with Mum having driven a car for most of her life, and a bike at various points, she would try to stop by gripping the handles (like a bike) and pressing down with her right foot (like a car)! We practised in a safe place to get her used to it, but when she needed to stop suddenly, she forgot ( she had dementia).

It was heavy to lift in and out of the car too, especially the battery. It was very stable though and I wouldn't have wanted a flimsier one. It was a Pride Go-Go model.

Germanshepherdsmum

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Buying a scooter is a minefield. My husband has a four wheel one and the salesman did a good job by selling it to us - demo in our house. Unfortunately I have to manhandle it - comes apart into 5 pieces to put in our car boot and then I have to assemble it again at say the hospital for his appointment. Because of his weight, he had to have a stable scooter. It is getting more difficult for me to manhandle it. I really didn’t realise how heavy it would be for me to manage., until after we bought it. Car boot hoists are so expensive.

Always try before you buy
Lightweight can mean bumpy ride if not perfectly flat path

My sister is looking for a mobility scooter I just hope she chooses one which is small enough to bring into the house at night.

Some of the very light weight ones do look a bit flimsy' don't they annsixty.
I agree, it is a minefield as there's so many different models, designs and configurations.
Surely, a test drive and an opportunity to 'man-handle' one is most important, it has to be fit for purpose.
Good luck Yvette, I hope you find something suitable.

Yes I did get one recently but not a particularly
light weight one .
I didn’t have a need for one then but now my GD has bought a car and now I am looking for one that we can transport.
It is difficult as some of the ones we have looked at seemed almost too lightweight and I was concerned about the stability.
Also very lightweight ones have smaller capacity batteries so not must distance between charges.
We were also told that some have narrow wheels and get stuck in cracks in paths etc.
I hope someone on here comes up with the perfect solution.
My friend has an electric hoist fitted in her boot, not a solution for many I think and expensive.

I think Annsixty got one recently?

There used to be a Gransnetter who posted, but haven't seen her for some time she had a lightweight scooter and took it on a cruise I seem to remember.
Perhaps she is still around?

It’s a minefield!

Maybe look online at some models - weight is an issue for lifting into a car, while stability is paramount for the rider. Some have 3 wheels, while others have 4 or even 5.
I think most retail outlets have a sort of ‘test track’ to use, before making a decision.

Hope you get some recommendations, but like buying a car - personal choice counts.