scooters for the elderly

[Gerianne]

some elderly just should no have these or be using them if they can't control them or drive them safely.

[lgemini]

I rather have the elderly using the scooter than driving a  car....

[cashrose]

some elderly just should no have these or be using them if they can't control them or drive them safely.

Oh no! Don't think they can handle it! Or the scooter will handle them!! It totally dangerous. I mean
In range age of elderly are saying? I thought I saw some elderly men as muscular than some middle age man
these days..

[countrygirl12]

some elderly just should no have these or be using them if they can't control them or drive them safely.

It ain't just old people.  A woman I went to church with years ago had something happen to her and she can no longer walk.  She visited a church I started going to a few years later and she would run that stupid thing wide open down halls and around corners.  It's like she wanted to disable somebody else by running them over.

[vickysue]

Ok so there are few that have no business with one, but those that need them and know how to use them out weigh the rest. But i have seen many young people using them and they do not need them. it is nothing for them to load in the special vans and walk around and get in the drivers seat. Oh so much fraud out there. Just because they don't want to work. And i so feel for those older people that really need one that can't afford one. All because they don't quaify for one . wrong race and or color. or they have worked all their lives just to support those that won't work.

[kimberlymgiles]

I see elderly people collide with innocent by standers in grocery stores all of the time. I'm sure that they come with some sort of tutorial. This is ridiculous.

[gramev64]

I have never seen anyone in a scooter do such things as are stated.  I know people who have them and without them they would not be able to go many places.  I guess there are always some that just don't care.

[camellia0]

Have you ever been behind an elderly person when they accidentally put it in reverse and hit something.

[luvh8tragedy87]

Someone, whether that be a care giver or some detailed instructions on them, should help them with it. But I still don't think they're a bad thing. That's something my grandma needs. She walks with a cane and broke her hip last year so she's really slow and doesn't really have any strength in her legs. With that being said, she needs it but I wouldn't trust her to just sit in one and take off without being instructed on how to use it properly.

[demaina]

What they need to do is reduce the speed on the scooters.  I'm not really sure how they work since I don't use them, but it seems like they go from zero to too fast way too quickly.  There was a lady at Walmart who went into the Subway that was attached, and she was trying to maneuver it into the line and she almost hit a few people.  Then her daughter (I'd assume) came by and offered to stand in line for her but the lady almost backed into another person before speeding off.  I'm all for the speed when they are outside, but when it's a grocery store scooter, it really doesn't need to go that fast.  Perhaps the speed is so the employees can quickly move them, but they could give them a key to access the faster speeds while limiting the speed without the key.

[CharmedPhoenix]

There seems to be references to two different types of vehicles here.

First there are the shopping cart / scooter hybrids that people borrow at major stores.  I've never had a problem with anyone using those.  In fact I'll offer my assistance if they seem to be looking at something on a high shelf.

Secondly there are the power chairs people with serious mobility issues have.  I used to be a care giver and I had a client who used one due to partial paralysis.  She had perfect control and had a van rigged for her use.  The biggest problem was other people parking or leaving carts in the striped space next to the van preventing her from lowering her ramp to get back in the van.  I had another client who got one for part time use.  I got the opportunity to study the manual and try it out.  It was easier to maneuver while sitting in it than walking next to it, but they're not easy to get the feel for.  The commercials make it seem easy, but it's not.  Yet I worked around them a lot and never had an accident.

Before you put limits on this valuable mobility tool try one.

Maybe you could start a training course at your local senior center to help those that need them work them better and get more confidence.

[kewl4reals]

some elderly just should no have these or be using them if they can't control them or drive them safely.

i believe the elderly deserve them if they want them

[plennis]

  If you need them you need them.  You can have a scooter and remain independent and mobile, or sit at home waiting for someone to take care of you.   Seems like an easy choice.   Most people I have seen on them operate very well and safely.  I have a stroller for 2 children, I was shopping recently with it right next to me.  A store clerk came running around the corner of the display I was at and tripped.  She started yelling at me and telling me strollers should not be allowed in stores.  SHE ran into me because she was not looking.  It could have just as easily been a person or small child.  This is also a store that the majority of their business is for babies and toddlers.  I have seen people step right into the paths of strollers and the scooters.                                             

[msmoneybags48]

I know of two people who have those scooters.  One is my stepdad's girlfriend; she has to use one because she weighs over 350 pounds.  Her mother said she thought she was having twins; when she gave birth to her, she weighed 12 pounds, 11 ounces.  She cannot do for herself physically; my stepdad does the cooking, cleaning her up, etc.  The problem there is that she is a diabetic, eats like a horse, and takes insulin.  The other person I know is my ex-boyfriend's sister in-law.   She walked at her wedding and took sick after that.  I know this woman actually got stuck on a CTA bus because the bus could not pick her up.  While I am inclined to agree with you, not everyone has that problem.  Most people can operate those chairs.  People who do not know how to operate those chairs need a lesson in operating such an item.

[mill8277]

they have that right, it gives them the mobility they need to get around.....my daddy used his riding mower, he could get around the house and yard, but he would ride it to the store which was not far away, he would pull up to the gas tank and get his gas and go home.....