Power Chair vs Mobility Scooter

posted on Jun 19 by Brian in the Disability News, Healthcare, Technology, Wheelchair Accessibility, Wheelchair Accessible Vans, Wheelchair Technology category

Since mobility scooters and power chairs serve the same basic function, choosing one over the other can be a difficult choice. However, when you consider factors like budget, insurance coverage, personal disability level, the environment in which the device will be used, and amount of daily use, the power chair and mobility scooter become very different.

The Mobility Scooter Advantages

The mobility scooter comes in a variety of designs without looking like a wheelchair. Many mobility scooters can be folded down or disassembled into lightweight pieces for easy transport. Mobility scooters often come with more than one battery and have off-board chargers making it considerably more lightweight than power chairs. They’re very economical for your budget with most mobility scooters costing thousands less than power chairs, starting at under $1,000. They have a higher ground clearance than power chairs and can maneuver steeper inclines.

Mobility scooters can drive easily into rear entry wheelchair vans like those available at AMS Vans, which have extended ramps and ample cargo space. AMS Vans even has a rear entry model that allows the user to drive the mobility scooter right to the passenger area via a channel cut into the floor. Mobility scooters also have a swivel seat that locks at a 90 degree angle, allowing the user to easily sit without obstructions to maneuver around.

The Mobility Scooter Disadvantages

Mobility scooters aren’t for everyone however. The design of the steering mechanism is similar to handlebars on a bike. Because of this, the user must have the upper body strength and control to sit upright independently, with both hands on the tiller to operate the directional and speed controls. The mobility scooter is optimal for users that can stand and walk short distances with the aide of a cane or walker.

Those with whole body conditions like heart and lung diseases, obesity, or a general lack of stamina are the best candidates. Due to a larger frame and wide turning radius, mobility scooters are difficult to navigate inside a home and do better in open spaces like outdoors, malls, and grocery stores. Finally, despite a person’s need for a mobility scooter, insurance companies do not cover most mobility scooters.

The Power Chair Advantages

Power chairs are fully customizable including seats that raise and lower or directional controls that can be a joystick, chin levers, a tongue piercing or even a straw that fits in the user’s mouth. Power chairs have an open front-load design for easy transfer. Much smaller than mobility scooters, power chairs have an extremely tight turning radius and work well outdoors and in the home. Most power chairs have on-board battery chargers making it simple to plug into any wall outlet to recharge.

Power chairs are designed for the user that needs constant mobility assistance, so they usually have features like adjustable foot rests to fit the user’s body, to be comfortable all day. As long as the power chair is deemed necessary by a physician, most insurance companies will cover at least a percentage of the cost. Since the design is based on that of a wheelchair, power chairs fit most accessible ramps, lifts, and other assistance.

Power chairs fit well into accessible vans. Companies like AMS Vans offer a side entry wheelchair van with removable driver’s seat that allows the user to drive the power chair into a wheelchair dock and drive the van,  right from his/her power chair, using a lever.

The Power Chair Disadvantages

Even the cheapest power chairs cost thousands of dollars. While its possible to have some or all of the cost offset by insurance, the guidelines are many and strict. Power chairs are meant to be left assembled. They are extremely heavy so an accessible van is vital for transport. Power chairs often have a very low ground clearance so maneuvering over rough terrain can be challenging. Most power chairs are meant to carry the user only and don’t have baskets in front or below the seat like mobility scooters. Power chairs have smaller motors and can usually only drive up an 8 degree incline at most.

While on the surface, they seem very similar, mobility scooters and power chairs serve two very different groups of people needing mobility assistance. Before choosing a power chair or mobility scooter, talk with your doctor, friends, and family to get the big picture of your mobility assistance needs and make an informed decision.