Walker or Scooter

[mogli712]

I have difficult choices after the last down turn

1 use a rollator and try to keep walking

2 get a scooter and travel more than I can walk

Sure this must be a choice others have had it will help if other members can share their experiences

[mogli712]

I do want to carry on walking though it has been difficult with the breathing for a long time now . Take the point about only human it takes a strong will for walking when the legs start shaking.

[Hidden]

Using a scooter is prone to putting on weight but I wouldn't use the word lazy. It is necessary for my shopping, and I can use a shopping trolley when one is available. A scooter is the means of getting out of the house. A rollator, is very useful to aid walking and exercise. I have visited all over the UK on a scooter.

[mogli712 in reply to Hidden]

My thoughts are the same annie80 a scooter will get me further than I can walk

[libby7827]

Why not get both? The rollators aren't very expensive. You'll have to steel yourself to use your walker for a set amount of time each day for the exercise though! Libby

[jabber]

Agree with Annie. I’ve made this choice. I also decided on both – though obviously not at the same time!

Depending on where you're going and who with - decide whether you've got time to take things at your walking speed without feeling pressured to keep up with anyone. But if going for a longer 'walk' use a mobility scooter – which gives you the opportunity of making your friends keep up with you (enjoy the moment!) We know we need the exercise, but no need to struggle every time.

[mogli712 in reply to jabber]

I agree it will be use one or the other but not both at the same time.

[linsabout]

I have both. Scooter for shopping or trips to the surgery. Walker for strolls, also if anyone is taking me out in their car or if I go on bus to hospital etc.

[mogli712 in reply to linsabout]

Don't have the car option and the local bus service is nearly none existent unfortunately they are choices that require no thought.

[Puffthemagicdragon]

Thankfully I don't have to make the choice yet and hope I never do. I feel sorry for some of you but I suppose it's one of those things you get used to.

[mogli712 in reply to Puffthemagicdragon]

As things creep up on us it is a matter of enjoying those pleasures left.

[Hidden in reply to Puffthemagicdragon]

You are fortunate, Puff. You need only to feel sorry for me if I was to stagnate in a chair all day long. I have a lot of fun on my scooter and the rollator so save your pity for those who need it. Love Annie80 xx

[Puffthemagicdragon in reply to Hidden]

Will do Annie. Although I have been diagnosed as very severe emphysema I don't appear to have much bronchitis which may explain why I can still get about in a stop and start sort of way. Some days I can walk a lot further than others but that's the way it is sometimes.I have just ran up the stairs ok and only got a little puffed. It takes about 30 seconds to a minute to recover. Not bad for a 62 year old !

[Hidden in reply to Puffthemagicdragon]

I cant run up the stairs - I WISH!! Get up with the aid of the banisters and a pause for breath at the top. You will see that I have every reason to hold my age responsible. Good luck love Annie x

[y_not]

Sometimes I walk unaided, sometimes I use my scooter and sometimes one or two walking sticks.

My scooter (like most) has a key. I am not tied to it. I can stand up and walk away - and I do!

As suggested a second hand scooter and a walking frame might be the best option but even so, you don't HAVE to use either. Save them for when you feel bad and need the extra support.

Good luck and I hope you become a better driver than me!

[mogli712 in reply to y_not]

Walking sticks fail to provide enough support when leaning forward breathing in gasps. Trying to walk so that any aids are surplus but that time has yet to arrive.

[caroleoctober]

I have both and use which ever depending on how far and what I have to carry, I always have to carry oxygen which can put in the rollator carrier. I bought my scooter from ebay it was an almost new one for a very reasonable price and the rollator is on indefinate loan from OT. I would approach them before you buy one then you can buy yourself the scooter for longer journeys,

Carole x

[mogli712 in reply to caroleoctober]

This is also my way of thinking caroleoctober it has been a useful way of attacking a problem with other members experience.

[moneal]

I have found my scooter a great asset, when the breathing is bad it enables me to still get around, and instead sitting indoors I can get out and about which really helps me, like you it worried me that I would stop walking, I still walk when I can, but it’s great to know that there is an alternative to gasping for air and feeling bad for hours when you don’t have to.

[mogli712 in reply to moneal]

I could see the temptation that a scooter brings not to walk and steeling myself to do it when an easier option is there, is still a worry that moments of weakness creep in when I should walk.

[mogli712]

It will be difficult justifying the expense and space of a treadmill for the amount of use it would provide, though a secondhand scooter is an idea that had not entered my thinking

[mogli712]

I find it more a question of something that can be leant against while I get my breathing back tried out walkers and rollators for this.

[mogli712]

Please accept my thanks for all the efforts and ideas that have been put forward, they will certainly have a great affect on my decisions.

[moneal]

My wife and I had a very similar conversation before I purchased the scooter, I was really against it, because I would stop walking, but her argument was that we rarely went out together and any number of times we had gone somewhere in the car and I would sit there while she went off on her own.

The moment of truth came when we visited a wild bird sanctuary, I was just not up to walking around that day, when a member of staff said "Use one of our scooters" I was converted to scooter power within a very short time. (Often wondered if the wife knew it might happen).

Today was what we would call a ‘not so good day’, but I have been shopping and a trip along the sea front, fresh air a change of scenery and felt so much better when I got home. It cost a lot of money but the freedom it gives me was worth every penny.

[derrylynne]

Scooter every time. I love being able to take 'Red' my scooter and it allowed me to explore places I would not be able to otherwise. Cardiff for instance is large, but with Red can get all over. Down the coast, along the very long proms. You will find me on Red. I am off to South Devon in May and will visit Paignton zoo and other places. Red will go with me and I would never be able to visit these places without my scooter. As has been said. We are not tied to our scooter. We can get out and walk in the shops. Which I do. At the of the visit to wherever I have been I feel well, not ill through trying to walk the impossible. And most of all, I enjoy my visits. I got mine second hand for £250. Go for a scooter. You know it makes sense

[rubenschtorm]

living in a rural location scooter is not an option for me, but recently got a 4wheel walker called Enzo (sad i know)to take the strain off my oh pushing a chair. it means i can have a bit of independence even get round a shop instead of being badly parked all round it. if im tired i can lean where i am or take a seat, and was surprised at how self concious im not when i do sit . if i lived in town it would be both though, shopping needs to be done solo sometimes.