Advice on Choosing
A Mobility Scooter

  
Many people who have mobility problems prefer to use mobility scooters instead of manual or electric wheelchairs, as they find them easier to use. This article offers advice on choosing a mobility scooter.

Types of Mobility Scooter

As far as mobility scooters go, there are several different types. The most popular type is the electric scooter. Whereas the electric wheelchair are basically battery-powered wheelchairs, electric mobility scooters have three or four wheels and generally need more room to turn corners. Because of this, electric wheelchairs are better for use in the home (where space is usually more limited), but scooters often work better outside, where space is less restricted.

Buying a Mobility Scooter

Unlike manual and electric wheelchairs, mobility scooters are not part of the Wheelchair Scheme. This means that you will need to purchase your mobility scooter by yourself on a private basis, usually without outside help. Because of this, it pays to be knowledgeable about your options.

Things to Consider

· Consider how much distance the mobility scooter needs to cover.

· Will you have to take your mobility scooter in the car? If so, a more compact mobility scooter is the best idea as it is easier to get in and out of the car.

· Can you easily get on and off the seat? Some scooters have swivel seats to make it easier to get on and off easily. It is often helpful to choose scooters with adjustable seats and backrest, so that you can alter them to suit your needs. Maintaining correct posture is especially when steering mobility scooters, particularly those that have tiller steering.

· Armrests can increase your comfort levels when using the mobility scooter, and they can help with getting on and off the scooter. However, not all scooters will have these.

· Are the controls easy to use?

· Is the supplier accredited by the British Healthcare Trades Association?

· Is there enough room in your home to store the mobility scooter near to a power point, so that it can be charged easily?

Financial Assistance

The Motability Scheme offers financial assistance for people who are receiving the higher rate mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance [DLA]. Accredited suppliers can offer mobility scooters on a higher purchase agreement of between one and three years. However, to do this you must give up all or a proportion of your regular DLA payments to Motability who run the scheme to pay for your mobility scooter.

Many people with mobility problems who are eligible for DLA payments are understandably reluctant to part with them, as they often constitute all or most of their income. If this applies to you, then you can  apply to a charity for financial assistance. If you can prove that you have little or no disposable income of your own, they will sometimes help you out.

Your local library or Citizens’s Advice Bureau will be able to refer you to a copy of the Guide for Grants booklet that is published by the Directory of Social change- this contains a list of contacts that may be able to help.

Mobility scooters can be extremely useful for people who are suffering from mobility problems. They are often preferred over the wheelchair, but they are not suitable for everyone.

    
     Apex Brings You           
     Comfort  in a Cup!

The Apex Care group, specialists in home care across Hampshire and Dorset, have launched their national ‘cordon bleu’ service – Apex Companions with Comfort in a Cup!  The Apex team will be touring to meet the public by showcasing at a series of Food Festivals – starting in the South and then heading further afield.

Apex Care Group has identified a gap in the domiciliary care market which until now has been the sole preserve of the wealthy. It’s called Apex Companions and will be on offer from north to south at a competitive hourly rate and is available to all.

With more and more families being dispersed all over the country and some generations living abroad Apex Companions are seen as a gap in the market to help and support families.

Apex Companions will provide a bespoke service to the loved ones of those families who are not close at hand; perhaps they are taking a much needed holiday or are on a business trip, or have decided to immigrate or have moved from one area to another because of a job or other family commitment.

For mum or dad living on their own, or for a parent who has recently been widowed there is a friendly companion on hand thanks to Apex Companions to give them support, help with the shopping, check on the fridge or check their pills, who can come in for a cuppa and a chat or can take them out and about or perhaps take them to the dentist, doctors or for a hospital appointment.

This is a service which allows the family to breathe a sigh of relief that there is a friend and companion on hand with a report going back to the family after each visit. Apex Companions will be able to provide that peace of mind service, looking out for your loved ones when you are not able to.

For the person being visited they have someone they can rely on when their family is not on hand, who is not interfering and who can act as support, they know that nothing is too much trouble as its all a part of the service.

This enables them to keep their home and their lifestyle, their surroundings are familiar to them and their routines don’t need to change. This is definitely NOT seen as competing with the carer support system and network, this is not about giving a blanket bath, or providing meals on wheels, far from it, this is seen as a gap in the market which will create a new niche to provide a companion when necessary once a week, fortnightly, once a month or just as often as necessary!

As food is such an essential ingredient in managing everyone’s daily life, Apex Companions has enlisted the support of chef and television producer Gabrielle Jackson. She put Gary Rhodes on the map, producing three series of ‘Rhodes Around Britain’ and also worked with Heston Blumenthal on ‘Kitchen Chemistry’. Gabrielle is also the official chef for south coast based Sunseeker International.

Gabrielle will be unveiling Apex Companions’ special recipes at a series of festivals and will be on had at this summer’s  Dorchester Show 4^th and 5^th September and at the Wimborne Food Festival 23^rd and 24^th October.  Gabrielle will be on hand to demonstrate recipes as well as meet the public.

All of the recipes being demonstrated have been created to encourage carers and clients to use locally sourced seasonal ingredients, the meals are tasty and healthy.Anyone attending the shows or who go online to the web site www.apexcompanions.org.uk can build up their own Apex Companions recipe card collection.