Quingo Scooters, Wellbeing

Quingo Advice on Mobility Scooter Users and Alzheimer’s

The Quingo team fully understand the potential implications that Alzheimer’s may bring to mobility scooter users.

This blogpost aims to offer advice and information for both sufferers and their carers in order that sufferers can continue to use their mobility scooter safely and with confidence for as long as possible.

Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s disease affects almost 500,000 people in the UK. Symptoms of Alzheimer’s include impaired thought, impaired speech, and confusion. The exact cause of the disease is unknown and work is on-going by numerous charities to help find a treatment and a cure.

Mobility Scooters

Mobility scooters often give people with limited mobility a freedom and independence to get around, but a user’s ability may be affected if they are suffering with Alzheimer’s. This can mean they become a danger to themselves and other people.

It’s recommended that people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s who are still using their mobility scooter should use familiar routes and carry appropriate identification on them, along with contact details of someone who can help if they get lost while travelling alone.

Quingo

If the scooter user is too unwell to drive a car, they are probably not safe to drive a mobility scooter. This might be the case if the following begins to happen:

  • Frequently getting lost.
  • Trips taking a lot longer than they should.
  • A person not recalling details of the trip.
  • Forgetting the purpose of the trip before they arrive.

If you are worried about someone who is developing Alzheimer’s and insisting on driving a mobility scooter you could perhaps look at the following precautions.

GPS

If you’re worried that you or someone you know may go out on their mobility scooter and get lost, or be unable to return home. It could be worth fitting their scooter with a GPS device so you are able to track their whereabouts. This way you can find someone who is lost, or if you are lost you can call someone and they’ll provide help and assistance.

Phone

Make sure the mobility scooter user has a phone on them at all times so they can contact someone if they require assistance.  

Getting Help

Once diagnosed with Alzheimer’s it is important to discuss driving your mobility scooter with your doctor and/or carer, as they will be able to best advice on what steps to take.

There are several charities which may also provide support and answer a few of your queries, this includes the Alzheimer’s Society, Age UK and NHS Choices.