Thoreau, RJ; (2016) The Perceptions and Experiences of Mobility Scooters by Older Adults Experiencing a Decline in Mobility. Doctoral thesis , UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

For people who have never experienced mobility impairment, being able to walk is crucial to maintaining mobility, independence and participation in activities outside the home. However, as people age, they often experience a decline in their mobility. Mobility scooters offer a method of enabling their users to move around their environment with greater ease. However, despite their prevalence, very little is known about mobility scooters or their effect upon those that use them. This thesis aimed to understand how older people with mobility difficulties viewed mobility scooters. The research also aimed to uncover the prevalence of mobility scooters in the population of older people in the UK. The research employed a mixed-methods approach by utilising a cohort database; creating and analysing a questionnaire of scooter users; and carrying out interviews with scooter users, non-scooter users and stakeholders. The results showed that scooter users were more disabled than non-users perceived them to be, and that scooters gave users a greatly valued means of independent travel. Scooter usage is increasing in the older population and is expected to continue rising, which makes the value of understanding the effect of mobility scooters of even greater importance.

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