This is a collaborative post.
In the past couple of years, the length of time and amount my Nan and Grandad can walk has declined steadily. My Grandad rarely leaves the house now unless he has an appointment at the local hospital and my Nan is struggling more and more when walking but is still super keen to be independent. Both are registered as disabled and it saddens me that two once very active people are all but stuck indoors because of their age and ailments.
Before my Dad passed away at the age of 78, we had been considering different ways to ensure he still managed to get and about and retain some of his independence. He was registered as disabled and really struggled to walk after losing a toe to diabetic complications and I would have done anything to ensure he could still be as active as he used to be – he found it very hard, I know, and hated being stuck indoors quite a lot.
Something we had been looking at was mobility scooters. One of my Dad’s friends has one and it has been great for enabling him to still get out. It has been such a shame to see four people who I remember being so active in my childhood, going so downhill and having to rely on others for the chance of getting out of the house. My Dad’s friend always looks happy whilst out on his mobility scooter, simply because it is helping him to still be independent and do what he wants to do.
We never got round to sorting one out for my Dad before he passed away unexpectedly but I’ve been talking with my mum about sorting one out for my Nan. Whilst I think my Grandad would use one if he could, he is so used to staying indoors now, I doubt he’d actually venture out. My Nan, however, still goes to her church, still goes food shopping with a friend, still heads into town – I think this would be great for her. She’s really struggled to come to terms with some of the diagnoses she has been given and if my mum and I can do something to ease those struggles, why wouldn’t we?
For now, we will be continuing to research into what would be best for her and look at finances to see what is achievable. There are a variety of mobility scooters to choose from – portable, mid range and road legal – so we’d need to see which is best for her needs.
I really think she’ll love it and it’ll definitely help her to stay Independent for as long as possible. Who knows, it may even inspire my grandad once he sees how much she enjoys getting out and about on it. Maybe then we’ll look at getting them a disability car so they can go out together and venture a bit further.
How do you qualify for a disability car?
Do you have elderly family members who are struggling to get out? Would you consider a mobility scooter?
My mum broke her leg very badly a couple of years ago and is now struggling. I would definitely consider getting her a scooter
Mobility scooters are great aren’t they! They seem to have really come on a long way in the last few years and are so good at helping people get out and about.
I think mobility scooters are such a good idea, there is such a variety though, so you have to do your homework. Mich x
My husband’s nanny has a mobility scooter and she uses it all the time! It gives her the freedom she wants and needs 🙂
My grandad is getting to the stage where he may need something like this and I definitely think he’d go for a mobility scooter as it gives him more freedom, especially as he lives on his own so he’d still be able to go out and be independent x
I think mobility scooters are a great idea if you have problems getting around. You can also rent them by the day if you are visiting an area on holiday.
My one and only remaining grandparent lives abroad and is very mobile but we have been talking about getting her a mobility scooter as she is slowly slowing down.
It is sad people get old and loose mobility. However mobility aids that help them are a fab idea for sure xx
My grandad really benefited from a mobility scooter when he was going through treatment and it really helped to give him some of his independence and freedom back x