A disabled and senior person has to stay at home because of their inability to walking outside. Their mobility is limited but they also want to move freely outside like other people. Physical demand and other condition may hamper their determination. But the technology has changed that condition because there is a mobility scooter. This is an electric vehicle and mobility aid equipment like auxiliary to a wheelchair. This scooter can be used as a mobility aid to make sure they can also enjoy the freedom and take part in outdoor activities.
The mobility scooter is not a cheap vehicle like other medical equipment such as a hospital bed, wheelchair, and any other equipment. This comes with a higher price but low-income disabled and senior people may not afford to buy a mobility scooter. For this, there are different types of programs on free medical equipment such as free mobility scooters for seniors and disabled people. So we are going to discuss mobility scooters, the cost of the mobility scooter, and where you can seek assistance for a free mobility scooter.
Content Outline
About Mobility Scooter
A mobility scooter may be seen on the pavements and safe road and it is getting much popularity now. This is a four-wheeled vehicle that runs with a motor powered by a battery. This scooter also may be called an electric vehicle or scooter that is motorized to run for several miles. For being a mobility scooter electric, the battery needs to be charged from standard electric power.
When the scooter is not electric and does not run with the motor, the user has to propel the lever to push the pulling rowing motion. This type of scooter may also be found on the road and people with physical strength may go with this scooter as physical exercise.
The mobility scooter may have three to four seats. But the design may be different as this vehicle comes with also single seat as well. The seat may also swivel to make sure easy access in case the front is closed by the handlebars.
Mobility Scooter For People with Limited Mobility
People with limited mobility can opt for a mobility scooter for safe and easy movement. They can’t use walkers or canes on the pavements and safe roads and their communication get so difficult. A mobility scooter can be worth ensuring their smooth movement for several miles indeed. This scooter is designed with a battery to drive on the pavements and safe roads and people don’t need physical demand to run this scooter.
Senior people and people with mobility problems may be recommended to use a mobility scooter for easy, safe, and smooth movement. They may have systematic or whole-body disabling conditions such as coronary or lung issues, obesity, and some forms of arthritis. But they are still now able to make a few steps on the roads and walk slowly. When they are going to drive this scooter, surely they must know how to use and drive it safely on the road.
They can do their grocery shopping, go for doctor’s appointments in the community, go to the Parkside which is near their house and take part in different outdoor activities. Then this scooter may be used to go as they don’t walk smoothly due to their severe limitation of mobility. On the roadsides, they can’t use canes and walkers in those cases.
Check Your Eligibility for a Free Mobility Scooter
A mobility scooter is nice to drive on the walkways and everyone might want to get it. They may be capable of walking for long distances but this mobility scooter is not for everyone. Firstly, you need to make sure that your mobility is not possible due to no mobility scooter. There are also other forms of equipment such as canes, walkers which need other people’s help indeed. They are not enough to help you move freely and independently. But a mobility scooter is independent in driving.
So the most important issue is that you need to visit your doctors who will recommend the need for a mobility scooter. For this, the doctor will prescribe the use of a mobility scooter for safe and easy mobility. The doctor in this regard will examine that you don’t have any physical demand for walking smoothly. You need to have a good understanding of driving a mobility scooter so carefully and perfectly.
For this, you may need to go through a test on how to drive a mobility scooter. Surely you may need to take training on a mobility scooter and how to ride this on the road. When you want to get a mobility scooter from a different organization, government, and platform, it is important to make sure you don’t afford to buy a mobility scooter but you feel the urgent need of a mobility scooter. A mobility scooter can be worth visiting doctors, shopping in the grocery shops, and take part in the community meeting.
Average Cost Of the Mobility Scooter
The most important issue regarding a mobility scooter is that how much does it cost. Surely cost may vary according to scooter feature and load capacity. There is a different type of scooter in the market that are used to feed light use and heavy-duty use such as 500-pound load-carrying capacity. So the cost may come from $600 to $4000.
When it comes to light use for carrying a person, it is considered as light use. This type of mobility scooter may be available at $1000 to $1200. This type of mobility scooter has different features such as assisting living facility, front container, comfortable seat feature, and so on.
16 Ways and Programs for a Free Mobility Scooter
There are so many organizations and platforms to make sure you can get or buy a mobility scooter to ensure a safe and smooth movement. This organization highly helps disabled people, senior people, and veterans who have been physically challenged for their movement. So you may know some programs of different organizations here and go to the official website of those organizations for more details.
1. Medicare
Medicare is one of the leading names in the world of free health care in the United States of America. There are different types of programs for low-income people to help them with durable medical devices such as mobility scooters. Medicare is the federal health insurance program for senior people to make sure they can get medical devices such as mobility scooters.
Most commonly, Medicare Part B is the insurance program for the people to let them get medical equipment such as mobility scooters. Under this insurance program, Medicare covers 80% of the mobility scooter, and 20% is to be paid to the people who are going to own it. In case senior people don’t afford to pay the 20%, they can contact the local Medicaid office for the inability to pay the remaining amount.
To be eligible under the Medicare health insurance program, you need to be recommended by the doctor that you need a mobility scooter for your health need. More importantly, your doctors and medical suppliers need to be enrolled under the Medicare insurance program.
2. Medicaid
Medicaid is another insurance program through which a free mobility scooter is possible to get under the insurance program. This program highly works for the betterment of the senior people in the United States of America. The full cost of the mobility scooter can be covered under this program when you meet Medicaid requirements.
When you are going to applying to get a mobility scooter, you need to prove that you have a medical condition that requires a mobility scooter. But the eligibility may differ according to different states’ rules and regulations. It is also important to visit the local office of Medicaid for more details about different programs under Medicaid.
Medicaid provides a different type of assistance program in terms of medical devices as well. In the case of damage to the mobility scooter, you may also apply to Medicaid to repair the scooter free of cost. In this case, also, you should provide a doctor’s prescription to make sure you need to use a mobility scooter for health needs. Then the cost of repairmen may depend on the Medicaid insurance program and the nature of the damage explained by the insurance program.
3. Grants from Charitable Organization
Charitable organizations are there in the community to make a difference for the senior people. This charitable organization provides easy grants for the senior people to support their life indeed. There are so many charitable organization offices where you may contact for grant programs. Surely the office staff will help you provide a lot more information on what the programs are for you.
Grants are free money you never payback. When you feel the need for a mobility scooter, you may discuss it with the authority of the organization. Surely you can get financial support to buy a mobility scooter indeed. There are eligibility criteria and you need to follow carefully. Then you go for the application process to make sure you can get free mobility scooter quickly.
4. The American Outreach Foundation
The American Outreach Foundation is a nonprofit organization to help the senior people and people who need mobility and medication device. The organization helps so that senior people live happily and peacefully for the rest of their life. There are grants programs under this organization and you as senior people need to qualify through an application process.
There are many eligibility criteria to get grants from this organization such as you must have a recommendation from the doctors about your mobility scooter. You need to show your annual income status and so on. So you meet the eligibility criteria and you should proceed with the application process. More importantly, you may visit the local office of this organization and visit the official website to get more details on how to get free mobility scooter for you.
5. Latter-Day Saint Charities
The Latter-Day Saint Charities are inspired by the love of God by helping the helpless. This is a Christian organization that is funded by the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. This organization comes with numerous benevolent activities in the United States of America.
They work on collecting funds from a friend and different rich people to make sure they can help the disabled people who need a mobility scooter for easy and safe movement. People who are mainly disabled can apply for free mobility scooters from this organization as they focus on free mobility scooters give away for the helpless disabled people.
6. The Wheelchair Foundation
The Wheelchair Foundation is another organization to helps disabled people. This is a non-profit organization that extends its helping hand towards the betterment of disabled people. Surely disabled people have limitations for movement and they also want to move according to their spirit.
This organization ensures free mobility scooters and other medical equipment such as wheelchairs as well. So the disabled people may know more by visiting the official website of this organization on how to get a free mobility scooter.
7. Tyler Schrenk Foundation
Tyler Schrenk Foundation understands the pain of the people who can’t move due to no medical equipment such as mobility scooters. This is a nonprofit organization that assists people who need assistive technology. Whatever the case is such as disability or mobility limitation, every people will lead an independent life and it is the belief of this organization. When you are willing to get a mobility scooter, you may go to this organization’s website on how to apply for a free mobility scooter.
8. United Way
Some so many people have mobility problems and they need mobility devices such as free mobility scooters. But not everyone is going to afford to buy this mobility scooter. When you are feeling the need for a mobility scooter, there are so many organizations that may help you buy this important medical equipment as well.
So the United Way is a non-profit organization that is embedded in ensuring health, education, and prosperity for every people. When you want to get a mobility scooter, you may seek help from this organization. This organization provides assistance on assistive equipment for people who don’t afford to buy it.
9. Hope Haven
Hope Haven is for empowering individuals with disabilities. Disability is a condition that may hamper your smooth movement. Luckily Hope Haven ensures everything for disabled people. They provide assistive and adaptive devices such as mobility scooters for disabled people.
When you are disabled and need help with such a free mobility scooter, this platform can be worth fulfilling your dream. So you need to visit this organization so that you can get help available in your state for a free mobility scooter.
10. Joni and Friends
Mobility is freedom of life and people who have mobility limitation understands very strongly. Joni and Friends are there for helping you in case you are disabled. Their belief is to make sure wheels of the world for disabled people so that there is no limitation on their movement.
They collect different types of wheelchairs and other medical equipment to provide to the helpless people. Surely low-income people with disabilities can have a better world by taking assistance from them.
11. Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
Multiple Sclerosis Foundation is ready to go for the people who face a very tough situation in their life. This is a non-profit organization that helps fix up their life in case they are in critical condition. When you need medical equipment, surely you can apply to this place.
This organization provides funding assistance to make sure you can buy a mobility scooter. This is your aim which indicates personal independence as well and this organization always inspires to make that happen.
12. Triumph Foundation
Triumph Foundation is a great name in the world of assistance. This is an organization that aims for a better world such as helping adults and veterans who are suffering from spinal cord injury and disorder. They highly conduct a grant program to make sure they can buy a mobility scooter for their easy movement. This grant is available for the citizens of the United States of America and the amount may come up to $2000. So you may go to the official site of this organization to know more details.
13. Vantage Mobility International
This organization makes sure more assistance for the veteran even if they have already been approved for VA mobility benefits. Vantage Mobility International can be another program for the Veterans who may be eligible for funds to cover the cost of the wheelchair accessible under this program.
14. National AT Act Assistance & Training Center
National AT Act Assistance & Training Center can be a good option for disabled people. There are different programs for disabled people who may get from this organization. The main aim of this organization is to make sure access and acquisition of medical equipment such as mobility scooters. There is a lot of information on assistive technology, easy loans to buy this equipment, and other grant programs as well.
15. Easterseals
Easterseals is another organization that works best for veterans, senior people, and disabled people. When they have physical incapacity for smooth movement, they are recommended to use a mobility scooter by the doctor. The cost of the mobility scooter is a little bit high and most people don’t afford to buy it. Easterseals can be a generous organization to let you buy a mobility scooter indeed. You just go to their website and get to know more details.
16. Lions Club
Lions Club is one of the charitable organizations where different people join there and work for the community development. As part of the community development, they raise funds from different sources and give them away to the people who need them for different purposes. Simply search this organization and explain your need such as a mobility scooter. Surely your chance to get a grant for buying mobility equipment such as mobility scooters are going to be implemented.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
There are some questions on how to get a free scooter which are commonly asked by the common people. Surely you may know more about free mobility scooters from this part.
Do I need insurance for a mobility scooter?
Insurance is the process to avoid any risk and danger in case there is an accident. When you are going to get a mobility scooter and use it for limited communication at the community level, you may not need to cover the scooter with Insurance. But it is good and recommended to cover the mobility scooter for avoiding any type of accidental loss.
Do I need a license for a mobility scooter?
The most motor vehicle should register in the government body. But a mobility scooter or a wheelchair powered by a battery does not require any license as it runs in the community for safe and short-term use. But a license can be available and you may know the need for a license according to your community guidelines on mobility scooter driving. There may be rules and guidelines on driving mobility scooters that may vary by different states and countries.
What is the speed limit of a mobility scooter?
The mobility scooter is not a vehicle that can be used on highway roads. This is just for the people who have a physical problem in walking. So it is clear that this mobility scooter is used with much-reduced speed on the walkways so that there is no issue of hitting the pedestrians on the pavements. Commonly the speed may be used by 6km or less than in the crowded place.
Can I use a mobility scooter if I am disabled?
Surely, disabled people have also the will to move freely in the community. When they are impaired with their leg problem, they might seek a mobility scooter in which there is no use of a leg. There is a mobility scooter that is designed for hand use only. But it is important to note that you should have a better understanding of driving and finding ways and plans to come back home in case the mobility scooter is stopped due to mechanical fault.
How long do the batteries of a mobility scooter last?
A typical scooter is good for driving for a long time. The new scooter bought in the market may last for 18 to 24 months if proper care and maintenance are taken perfectly. To keep batteries in good condition for up to 3 years, you need to charge the battery fully and maintain it well.
Final Verdict
A mobility scooter is an equipment that helps people who have a limitation on movement due to physical constraints. People may get this scooter partially or completely free of cost as there are so many organizations and platforms that feel the pain of the people. For this, people need to seek help from those platforms to get a free mobility scooter.
Before application, it is important to make sure you are on the right platforms that deal with a free mobility scooter. More important, you just go for a simple study and research eligibility criteria and availability of the scooter for you.
