My elderly mom ordered this scooter. What do you think?

[JEDI]

She's 71 and has trouble walking but does ok with short distances with a cane.
for longer outings (zoos, botanical gardens, cruises, etc) she got this scooter for $1300:

Amazon.com: Pride Mobility Go-Go Traveler Elite Plus 4-Wheel Scooter SC54 for Adults, 18ah Battery Pack : Health & Household

Buy Pride Mobility Go-Go Traveler Elite Plus 4-Wheel Scooter SC54 for Adults, 18ah Battery Pack on Amazon.com ✓ FREE SHIPPING on qualified orders

www.amazon.com

Paid out of pocket because Medicare was being a pain. (She can afford it.)

i think she got the upgraded battery so it does 12miles instead of 8.
it looks like it has a lead acid battery (same type as a car battery) meaning if it drains more than 1/2 way, it will never get full charge again (just like a car battery).

I would have liked a lithium ion battery and maybe 3 wheels instead of 4. (less weight = longer distance)

What do you think?
What would you have recommended?

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

I always think of a scooter as giving up on life.

Though I'm not old so I can't put myself in their shoes, it's just I think the more you give up on your own capabilities (walking, etc) the more quickly you go.

 

[highland145]

More PT is my thoughts plus the chair. Muscle loss is the problem. Axe me how I know.

 

[Captante]

I think 4 wheels was the wiser choice myself (harder to tip!) .... beyond that not having read any reviews I have no comment.

 

[highland145]

..

 

[MrSquished]

If she doesn't like it sell it to Cheez.

 

[VirtualLarry]

it's just I think the more you give up on your own capabilities (walking, etc) the more quickly you go.

This is true!

 

[VirtualLarry]

If she doesn't like it sell it to Cheez.

I didn't know it was good for a river cruise.

 

[BoomerD]

4 wheels is much more stable.
I'm not that impressed by that particular model, but if it works for her...How will she transport it around? Does she have a carrier on a hitch on the back of her car? Will you have to haul it around for her?

 

[ptthomas]

I for once think that this is good for an elderly person. Encourage her to do a bit physical exercise at home too.

 

[Captante]

I'm not that impressed by that particular model

I agree ... the wheels/tires look very small and that tiny "suspension" looks like even a minor gap in the pavement would be too much for it to handle. (nevermind a real curb)

 

[JEDI]

4 wheels is much more stable.
I'm not that impressed by that particular model, but if it works for her...How will she transport it around? Does she have a carrier on a hitch on the back of her car? Will you have to haul it around for her?

why are you not impressed?
what models did impress you?

my sister lives with her.
she has a suv. it fits in the trunk.
the scooter breaks down into 3 pieces

 

[WelshBloke]

Get this!

 

[sdifox]

why are you not impressed?
what models did impress you?

my sister lives with her.
she has a suv. it fits in the trunk.
the scooter breaks down into 3 pieces

Just tell her to lift with her knees.

 

[KMFJD]

My Dad has been using that model for the past 5+ years, it's collapsible into 4 parts, easy to travel with, battery is gel so it's allowed to be stowed on planes. The battery life is fine, we've only run out of juice once during the day and that's because he forgot to charge it.

 

[JEDI]

My Dad has been using that model for the past 5+ years, it's collapsible into 4 parts, easy to travel with, battery is gel so it's allowed to be stowed on planes.
The battery life is fine, we've only run out of juice once during the day and that's because he forgot to charge it.

Gel battery? thx!
those are deep discharge, unlike lead-acid. it wont damage the battery if you run it to zero.

 

[KMFJD]

I agree ... the wheels/tires look very small and that tiny "suspension" looks like even a minor gap in the pavement would be too much for it to handle. (nevermind a real curb)

It's fine, you're not going offroading on these things though, i've seen him get stuck maybe 1-2 times but he could get himself free with a bit of a push , only other thing that is kinda bad it's rather limited if you have a lot of steep inclines as you'll need to give them a bit of a push

 

[Brainonska511]

I always think of a scooter as giving up on life.

Though I'm not old so I can't put myself in their shoes, it's just I think the more you give up on your own capabilities (walking, etc) the more quickly you go.

That's a pretty fucked way of looking at things. Some people just become disabled as they get older, and no amount of forcing themselves to walk will fix it.

At least these devices can provide some freedom to go out over being nearly completely housebound.

 

[GrumpyMan]

Some of you guys are going to have a rude awakening when you reach that age, if you reach that age. As they say, through my doors ye shall pass. Some people get MS, arthritis, etc.

Looks like a good model and much better than her falling and breaking a hip or something along those lines.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Those wheels seem kind of small, I'd be tempted to put a lift kit and some bigger wheels for better ground clearance in winter. Maybe look into a LS swap too later down the road.

 

[lxskllr]

And some sidepipes, and tuned exhaust. Finish it off with a pine tree air freshener, and a racoon tail on a mast.

 

[BoomerD]

why are you not impressed?
what models did impress you?

my sister lives with her.
she has a suv. it fits in the trunk.
the scooter breaks down into 3 pieces

Those tiny wheels are fine for smooth paved/concrete surfaces or even firm grassy surfaces, but not so good for "off roading" on any kind of mildly rough terrain.

The price isn't terrible for it...the popcart app I have for Amazon says it's the same price as other retailers though.

 

[balloonshark]

Nice wheels but she will eventually want to see this man about customizing her new ride.

 

[WelshBloke]

I mean I'm totally getting one of these if/when I need one.

 

[JEDI]

And some sidepipes, and tuned exhaust. Finish it off with a pine tree air freshener, and a racoon tail on a mast.

4wheel segway called the 9bot