In the simplest terms and if you asked a large sample group what the most important result of getting a mobility scooter was, there would be few answers that failed to mention the words ‘freedom’ and ‘independence.’ Those two words encapsulate the changing lives of those who take the plunge and get themselves a mobility scooter.

All about the independence

The difference between the independence and freedom you experience before and after you have a mobility scooter is night and day. Your horizons are expanded and whereas before you might have had to rely on a lift when convenient to someone else to go into town for a browse, you will now be able to do so on your own terms, increasing your sense of independence and expanding the realms of the possible on a daily basis.

Your ability to get from A to B to carry out functional tasks is not the only consideration of course, you can go out on your scooter to take in the world around you, go to the park, see more of the natural world and absorb the many mental health benefits of doing so.

Safety

For those who can get around with a frame or stick but choose to get a mobility scooter for longer trips, they will benefit from increased safety and a reduced risk of accident and injury. Falls at any age can be a massive inconvenience, leading to hospital visits, long recovery times and social isolation, but as you get older the risks associated with falls are even greater and a mobility scooter is a great way to get the right balance between freedom and safety.

Social life boost

People with mobility issues often report that they miss out on socialising more than others and can be left out of certain events because of fears over travel or transportation. A mobility scooter can provide a necessary stimulus not only to motivate the person themselves to get out and meet friends or new people, but also to help others see that any potential issue is surmountable. Mobility scooters can act as a gateway to community activities and a literal sledgehammer to the loneliness that can creep up as people with mobility issues get used to spending long periods of time home alone.

Mental health benefits

Of course, mental health is very much related to what we feel we are able to do, so as new horizons are opened up thanks to a mobility scooter and new freedoms and independences are found, so there are likely to be mental health benefits. Your self-esteem can take a hit when your daily life becomes more restrictive and when you rely on the help of others to get from A to B. The additional independence and ability to socialise, get out and spend more time in the fresh air, seeing places you weren’t able to previously and expand your horizons is a sure-fire way to provide a spark that can lead to long term improvements in mental health.