Written by Naheed Ali, MD, PhD
Getting around the house, store, or neighborhood can become increasingly difficult, as we get older. Disability affects all of us, especially once we’re seniors. The CDC estimates that 2 out of 5 adults over 65 are living with at least one disability. Mobility impairment is the most common type of disability globally, so it stands to reason that most people will encounter mobility issues for themselves or a loved one at some point.
Fortunately, we live in a world filled with solutions that make it easier to get around. For some people, that means using a cane, walker, or rollator. For others, it means everyday wheelchair use. Even within the world of wheelchairs, there is a wide range of options to suit different needs. Some users may want something battery-powered, or some may want a device that they can travel with on long trips. The various options and choices for wheelchairs and scooters are almost as diverse as the millions of people who use them.
The diverse needs of the wheelchair-using population are something that the team at Pride Mobility understands the best. Pride is a major manufacturer of quality scooters and power wheelchairs with over 30 years of experience in the industry. What started as a small operation designing lift chairs in 1986, Pride Mobility has become a market leader for power mobility aids. Its success can be traced back to a simple but effective mission: To manufacture quality, technologically advanced mobility products for people with disabilities and mobility impairments.
As far back as the early 1990s, Pride's flagship 'Shuttle' scooter paved the way for innovation in the mobility aid arena. Pride was one of the first companies to design aesthetically pleasing scooters and powerchairs fitted with options that fit consumers' personal preferences.
Today, Pride is on the cutting edge of adaptive technologies. The series of powerchairs they created is extensive and offers something for each consumer type. However, they have not forgotten their roots in giving plentiful options for customer customization.
Choosing the right vehicle can be quite the task. The following guide should assist you in making an informed choice on the right mobility option for you.
 | Go Chair | Powered Wheelchair by Pride Mobility View Product |
For individuals who have tetraplegia, poor upper limb coordination, or severe range of motion restrictions, powered wheelchairs-- or power chairs-- are a natural choice. Powered wheelchairs have been found to improve mobility, social participation and quality of life, and decrease pain and discomfort among users. Compared to traditional wheelchairs, power chairs offer many advantages, especially for users with more significant mobility challenges. Manual wheelchairs are not necessarily inferior, but they are efficient only if the user has enough upper body function and stamina.
Typically, powered wheelchairs have more options regarding the control mechanism. Alternatives that might include joysticks, touchpads, head tilt controls, or even a sip and puff. These adaptive control mechanisms ensure that mobility can be achieved even when limitations are significant. It would be hard to overstate how vital this type of device can be for a patient with a severe disability. A power wheelchair can be a major difference-maker for personal autonomy.
While a standard power wheelchair is often the best choice for use around the house, it can be beneficial to have another option on occasions when travel is required. A typical power chair is much heavier than a manual wheelchair. Often power chairs are not designed to break down into smaller pieces, so transport requires special considerations.
This is where a lightweight power wheelchair might be a fine choice. These lighter variations on the power chair are typically designed to ease traveling complications. That means that not only are they easier to lift and move, but they also tend to take up less space. A power wheelchair with a collapsible frame and a compact design can be a huge benefit when visiting less intentionally adaptive settings.
That said, it is crucial to make sure that you choose a suitable lightweight power wheelchair that will accommodate your specific needs.
~2.png&newwidth=365&maxheight=200 "Jazzy Air 2 Elevating Power Wheelchair by Pride Mobility") | Jazzy Air 2 Elevating Power Wheelchair by Pride Mobility View Product |
Any power wheelchair with a seat lift can be called an elevating power wheelchair. Therefore, a seat lift is a modification that can give users a vertical height adjustment in addition to forward and backward mobility. How does this benefit users? If you have ever tried to shop from an accessibility scooter or power chair, you know that reaching items on high shelves can be a major challenge. A seat lift gives the user more “height” essentially, something that can make a big difference during certain daily activities.
Users can even drive and navigate from the fully elevated position in most designs. Operators can maintain eye level while accompanying a companion on a trek through the park. Elevating power wheelchairs are built with a broad, sturdy base to give operational support even with this added height. Seat lifts are generally available with a single post lift (like the Pride model listed below), a scissor lift, or a cantilever lift. It is a good idea to talk to your care team about what might be the best fit for your individual needs.
 | Victory 9 4-Wheel Electric Scooter by Pride Mobility View Product |
Generally speaking, a scooter is a vehicle that is used primarily outside for people with disabilities that do not need rehab seating or specialty control. A mobility scooter is an excellent option for older adults who have pain or weakness while walking distances. Scooters tend to have stronger batteries and come equipped with more storage capacity; this makes them a natural choice for running errands or shopping in a larger space. Most scooters use a tiller steering column with finger-operated forward/reverse functions on the handlebar. This control scheme is familiar and easy to learn for most adults who have the core strength for this kind of steering.
It is worth mentioning that scooters typically have a reduced turning radius compared to power chairs. This does limit scooter usage in narrow indoor spaces or on tight corners. Ultimately, a power scooter may not be the best choice for users who need specialized controls. However, they are typically a bit more affordable and more convenient to transport.
Speaking of convenience to transport, the most straightforward mobility aid to take travelling has to be a folding power scooter. Folding power scooters are among the hardest-to-find mobility aids because most scooters are built with a rigid frame and are relatively heavy. These foldable scooter versions are typically smaller and almost operate as a hybrid between a conventional scooter and a power wheelchair. This lower weight and tighter turning radius (smaller size) can make foldable power scooters easier to maneuver than their traditional counterparts.
Ultimately, the foldable power scooter will still be best indicated for users with moderate upper body strength and stamina who do not need specialized controls. Most scooters can not be converted from a tiller control method to something more adaptable. However, a foldable scooter would be perfect for active older adults who need a reliable form of transportation.
A medical recliner, sometimes called a lift chair, is a multi-positional mobility device that puts comfort first. Any individual who has a condition that inhibits their ability to raise and lower from a seated position could benefit significantly from having a lift chair. In essence, a lift chair is just like your favorite easy chair at home, with one major difference: it is motorized to assist with standing. Having a safe way to sit and stand unassisted encourages more autonomy for the user and can increase mobility function by stimulating the movement.
Typical in-home lifts, such as a Hoyer, are excellent. However, they have a very clinical appearance. A medical recliner will typically look just like furniture that you would choose for your living room. Having an inconspicuous mobility aid encourages usage. Seniors have expressed a desire for more aesthetically pleasing mobility devices in surveys. Everyone loves sinking into a comfy chair to chat with family or watch a movie. With a dedicated lift chair at home, you can sit and safely get up.
Pride Mobility has something to offer for any mobility need, a proper one-stop solution for anyone who needs a little extra help getting around the house or neighborhood. The outstanding quality of Pride is its commitment to being the highest quality and the friendliest mobility aid manufacturer on the market. Demonstrated by how they treat their team, their customers, and ultimately the quality of the products they produce.
Whether you need a zippy scooter for getting your shopping done at the mall or a truly customized power wheelchair with a seat lift and sip-and-puff controls, the experts at Pride have you covered. Their passion for helping people with disabilities shines through in their product design. Take a look at the complete collection of Pride Mobility products available at Rehabmart and find the perfect ride.
Dr. Ali is a physician by education and a writer by choice since 2005. He earned an MD degree in 2008 and later completed Harvard Medical School's lifestyle medicine training in 2012, before obtaining a PhD in holistic health elsewhere in 2013. He brings more than 15 years of experience working in a remote environment. Now a digital nomad, he’s currently a health and wellness writer.
