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If you are interested in purchasing a mobility scooter then please read this informative blog post. It's crucial to conduct thorough research before purchasing a mobility scooter.

Firstly, mobility scooters come in various types, sizes, and configurations, each designed to meet specific needs and preferences. By researching different models, you can find one that aligns with your unique requirements, ensuring maximum comfort, functionality, and suitability for your lifestyle.

Additionally, researching allows you to evaluate factors such as battery life, portability and safety features, helping you make an informed decision and avoid potential issues or regrets later on.

Investing time in research empowers you to select a mobility scooter that not only meets your immediate needs but also enhances your quality of life in the long run.

A mobility scooter may be a significant investment that requires careful consideration and planning. The cost of a mobility scooter can vary widely, depending on the features and quality of the device. Generally, a high-quality mobility scooter can cost anywhere from seven hundred to several thousand Euro.

Also, financial considerations aside, it’s critical that the mobile scooter is suitable for your environment. Are you looking for a solution for your home or are you looking for total independence to travel to and from the local shops? Is where you live flat or is the terrain hilly? That’s why taking a test drive from our extensive range of mobility scooters is a good decision.

At our two showrooms – Portlaoise and Artane – there is ample space for you to drive around and see what mobility scooter is best suited to your needs.

You’ll be able to adjust the settings to match your preferences. This includes the height of the seat and the position of the controls. Your height and weight will have a bearing on the type of scooter you are safe to use.

If you’ve not driven a mobility scooter before, the test drive will allow you to start the scooter slowly to get used to the controls and the turning radius. You can gradually increase the speed as you become more comfortable.

You can also test the comfort of the scooter and check for any discomfort or pain in your back or legs, which could be a sign that the scooter is not the right fit for you. Some scooters allow for seat adjustment and others are fixed in height and width. You can test the turning radius by making sharp turns to see how the scooter handles. This feature is important if the scooter is going to be used in tight spaces.

Again, for first-time users, this is an opportunity to get a feel for the brakes on a mobility scooter. Test the brakes by coming to a complete stop from a moderate speed. Make sure the brakes are responsive and can bring you to a complete stop quickly.

Ask questions! A test drive will give you plenty of time to ask questions: such as, how long the battery lasts and see if it meets your needs.

Beechfield Healthcare stocks an extensive range of mobility scooters at our two showrooms in Portlaoise and Artane. Portlaoise is on an appointment-only basis, (please call 057 868 2304), whereas Artane is open Mon-Fri without an appointment.

Mobility aids provide an excellent service to their users and make it accessible for them to travel across the road or even across the globe.

When people have a love for travel, it shouldn’t have to suffer just because they are struggling with mobility or increasing age. Mobility aids help to give them back their confidence and allow them to continue to travel with friends or families. We are very lucky to live in such a beautiful country with many historic and scenic attractions that are suitable for all ages and all levels of movement.

When you’re travelling around Ireland with a mobility aid, there are a few simple factors that should be considered.

Destination: Most of Ireland is reachable if you are travelling by car or public transport, and the majority of all towns will have some form of accommodation, especially if it is serviced by public transport. The problem you may face however, will be the accessibility of the room you will be in or the floor it is on.

If you need a walking aid or wheelchair, you may need a spacious room to comfortably move around in your wheelchair or rollator. And if the accommodation does not have a lift to the higher floors, you will need a ground floor room. When you’re booking your accommodation you will need to make it known to the travel agency/receptionist or booking company so they can accommodate your needs.

Type of transport: You will need to have a plan in place, so you know how you are getting around. If you are driving your car, ensure you leave enough room inside your boot/back seat to store your rollator, wheelchair or walking frame. The majority of these aids can be folded down into a flat-like position for ease of storage. The folding mechanism is also very helpful if you are using public transport.

Most buses will either have a storage compartment in the aisle or an underneath storage bay where people store suitcases, bikes and other large belongings. When travelling on a train, there are areas in each carriage where personal belonging such as scooters, rollators can be stored. If you are travelling on a train with a wheelchair or powered scooter, it must be booked in advance with a minimum of 24 hours if you need a ramp to assist you with boarding the train. Remember, there are a limited number of wheelchair accessible spaces on trains, so when you can, pre-book your tickets.

Attractions: If you need to use a mobility aid when going to attractions, it is important that you contact the organisers where possible to make them aware that you are using one. If you are visiting the likes of a cave or somewhere with unsteady terrain, you should ask them if it is possible to go to the attraction when using a rollator, scooter or wheelchair or if you use a walking stick/cane, maybe a hurrycane would be best with the three-point base. You should also make them aware if you have a partner, friend or carer attending with you so they know you are not alone if you need assistance. When researching different tourist spots, if possible you should read reviews to see if other people with mobility aids have visited and how they got on. Always make sure where you are going is suitable for people with limited or no mobility.

Rest: Although you may be on an active holiday, exploring areas you have never been before, tasting different cuisine or educating yourselves with historic landmarks, it is important that you also take time to rest. Travelling can be exhausting and the last thing you want is to be too tired to go sightseeing. The days of arrival and departing can be very tiring if it is a long trip and you never stopped for some fresh air or to stretch your legs. It is vital that if you are fatigued after your trip that you take time to rest and recover so you can fulfil your to-do list with lots of energy. If you are going to be on day trips where you will be pushing your rollator or wheelchair for a long time, that you give your arms time to recover too as the extra exercise will cause them to be tired, especially the day after. If someone else is pushing you in your wheelchair, be conscious that they also need time to rest their arms and prepare for the next day/trip.

Packing: When planning your holidays, it will more than likely be an overnight stay which means you need to pack a bag. If you are arranging an active trip to go see historical or scenic landmarks, you should be comfortable in what you are wearing. You should pack loose clothing, as tight clothing may affect your mobility depending on the activities you are doing. Wear comfortable footwear as you don’t want to be suffering from sore feet, which may prevent you from completing your holiday to-do list. Because we are in Ireland, you can never go wrong with packing a coat as the Irish expression goes, ‘if you don’t like the weather, wait ten minutes.’

If you travel regularly, it is worth investing in a good quality, durable wheeled luggage case which is well-balanced and with quality wheels – if you ask any seasoned traveller, they will tell you this is money very well spent. Don’t pack too much as closing the case can be troublesome, plus you may need extra room for some spontaneous holiday purchases.

Medical Equipment: If you are on any medication or require medical equipment e.g. a CPAP machine, you should always bring it with you. When packing your car, always make sure the bag that has the medication in it is easy to reach in case of an emergency. You should carry a medical letter from your doctor stating a list of the medicine you are currently on, and if needed, bring a new prescription in case anything happens to your bags and you need to get more medicine.

Aids for Daily Living: If you require specific aids for daily living, you should store these safely so they don’t get damaged as you may need them daily. If you are travelling by car to your destination, and you are planning stops along the way for food or tourist sites, you should have them readily available so you can quickly get them out for use. Likewise, if you are travelling by public transport, it may be worthwhile to have a small bag or satchel with the daily living aids you may require, so they are easily accessible.

Some of Ireland’s top accessible friendly attractions are the Irish National Stud & the Japanese Gardens, Dublin Zoo, Powerscourt Estate, House & Gardens, Seamus Heaney HomePlace, Newgrange Stone Age Passage Tomb at Boyne Valley, Fota Wildlife Park and the National Museum of Ireland.

Once you take time to consider all of these factors and make the accommodation, travel and tourist attractions aware of your arrival in advance, there should be no reason that you cannot enjoy your Irish holiday. These factors are tips to make it as stress-free as possible and we hope they help you.

Independence is something we all depend on to get us through each day. We like to be able to carry out tasks ourselves ever since we were young and we would like to continue doing this into our elder years.  This can include everyday tasks such walking to the shop, meeting our friends for a cuppa or going to visit our families. We need to be able to get around on our own accord and to do that, we need mobility. Some people’s mobility levels can differ from others and sometimes, age can be a factor in this. However, regardless of your age, you still want to keep your independence by doing these things on our own.
 
If you feel like you can’t walk to the shop because it’s too far, or you get tired too easily and the same for visiting friends or family, maybe a mobility scooter can be the answer for you. They can help you get to the shops or to a friend’s home and even carry the shopping home with their detachable baskets. They are stylish in design and come in a range of colours making them attractive to users and people who pass you by.  There are certain features you should be looking for when choosing a Mobility Scooter, like the speed, weight capacity, budget and the purpose for the use.
 
Finding the right scooter for you, is quick and easy once you know what you are looking for.
-          A Boot Scooter is easily foldable making it compact and transportable so you can bring it with you in the boot of a car. They have a slim design and are ideal for people who travel in cars or on public transport. They can be used on a flat terrain, indoor or outdoor. 
-          A Small Scooter are ideal as a general runabout scooter, perfect for inside shopping centres or on short journeys. They can be used on roads or paths once the ground is in good condition and some of them can travel up to 10mph. 
-          A Medium Scooter is mainly used for outdoor use and can travel from 4mph to 8mph. They are able to cater for kerbs and hills with their added suspensions. They are ideal for local journeys with their robust frame making them more durable. 
-          A Large Scooter are perfect for long journeys outdoor with their enhanced suspensions and larger tyres. They have a higher weight capacity and are better equipped to handle tougher terrain or inclines.