When it Comes to Electric Scooters, Seniors Should Look Before They Leap

By Bill Hull, Director of Marketing, Atherton

More and more seniors are using electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters to solve mobility limitations. But is this good or bad? That depends. To be sure, these vehicles allow for opportunities that might otherwise be unavailable. Making life easier and safer is a good thing, especially for seniors. Isn’t it? While the science is still under-developed, there is a gathering body of evidence that in some cases, seniors may be trading present convenience for future health complications. Studies in England, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the U.S. all raise similar concerns. For many seniors, scooters are a lifestyle choice rather than a medical necessity; so it is worth considering whether this lifestyle choice includes a trade-off with your long-term health.

Satisfaction & Independence
In general, mobility-related disability affects about one-third of people over age 65. If you are suffering from a lack of mobility, you may feel like your ability to enjoy your neighborhood park, handle a trek from the parking lot to your favorite stores, or run in to grab a few groceries is gone forever. Devices like electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters can restore your ability to get from place to place quickly and easily. They can bring back, or help to maintain independence, and allow long and short journeys to be enjoyed in both comfort and style. A mobility scooter is very helpful for persons with systemic or whole-body disabling conditions who are still able to stand and walk a few steps, sit upright without torso support, and control the steering tiller. With an electric wheelchair, you don’t have to depend on someone else to push the chair, allowing you independence. These devices take minimal effort, are comfortable, are faster than walking, can include baskets for easier transporting of items, and come in such a wide variety of options and prices that allow almost anyone to enjoy freedom of movement on their own terms. By every measure, their use is exploding.

Choosing & Training
All personal mobility vehicles are not created equal, however, and you shouldn’t choose the cheapest one. In order to make an informed decision, you should understand the differences between mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs; decide how you are planning to use it; and try out several types for yourself. You should also ask your doctor. Only a third of wheelchair and mobility scooter users asked for guidance from a health professional before buying their device. Yet, studies show that when a device is matched correctly, the senior feels empowered and independent; however, when the device doesn’t match, the users lack confidence and are at higher risk to their own safety. Ask questions, and then be sure to get some instructional training. An international survey of scooter users found only 25% had received training.

Dangers
As wonderful as these new technologies may be to help you regain some mobility, they aren’t for everyone. In terms of safety, one study indicated that when these vehicles are used on the road, users appear to be at significantly higher risk of being in an accident than other groups.

Perhaps the most insidious danger with these devices lies in how easily they work. Scooter usage has shown to be a “replacement” for walking and other forms of physical activity. If this is the case, its usage may hasten physical and functional decline. One study revealed the tendency to use the scooter to replace shorter trips that users might previously have considered too short to drive, and therefore would have walked. It’s simply human nature. Why walk when we can ride?

One 2010 study measured cardiovascular risk for 12 months before a mobility scooter was prescribed, and 12 months after a mobility scooter was prescribed. The study found a statistically significant increase in fasting glucose level, and in the incidence of diabetes. Also, 20% of patients had their blood pressure medication increased or had additional blood pressure medication prescribed during this time. Another 2011 study reported that scooter users over 65 years old perform worse at physical tasks than other older people. One British study showed that scooter users had a slower gait, less stamina, less physical strength to stand unassisted from a chair, higher Body Mass Index, weaker grip strength, and an accelerated rate of physical decline. As we know, these factors are often linked to higher incidents of cancer, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. One Canadian study indicated that scooter users were at a higher risk for falling.

Scooters can open worlds of possibilities that may well be worth the trade-off; but be sure to make a fully informed choice when choosing a scooter.