Category Archives: Wellbeing

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.

 

 

 

Accessories, Quingo Scooters, Wellbeing

All Quingos are perfect shopping partners but how much can you safely carry?

All of us need to do our weekly shop and when using your Quingo to help out in this task it is important to be clear on what can and should be safely carried. Using the shopping basket on your Quingo gives you plenty of space for your shopping but being aware of the storage capacity of the basket will give you an indication of what you can safely take if you’re planning on doing a larger shop. Continue reading All Quingos are perfect shopping partners but how much can you safely carry? →

Wellbeing

Helpful information about the Government Blue Badge Scheme

Today the Quingo Scooters team want to talk about the ways you could benefit from the Government’s Blue Badge Scheme if you need to transport your Quingo by car.

What is the Blue Badge? Where can I get one?

The Blue Badge scheme provides a national range of parking concessions for people with limited mobility who have difficulty using public transport.

 

Holders of a Blue Badge will be able to park their vehicle closer to a destination, either as a driver or a passenger. The Badge is valid when parking on-street, though it does not automatically apply to off-street car parks.

You can apply online where you can find further details of how your application will be processed before your local council makes its decision.

To renew or apply for a Blue Badge you will need to have the following:

  • The details of your current Badge (should you have one)
  • A digital or signed photograph
  • Your National Insurance number
  • Proof of residency
  • Proof of identification

You can ask your council to find out how long before the expiry date you should renew your Badge. There are different rules for the scheme depending on which county you live in the UK, so it’s useful to check gov.uk to find out how this affects you.

What are the concessions available to holders?

If you have a Blue Badge, you can park on single or double yellow lines for up to 3 hours in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, except where there’s a ban on loading and unloading or in parts of London (Westminster, Chelsea, Kensington and parts of Camden). If you’re a badge holder in Scotland there is no time limit.

Badge holders can park for free, and for as long as they wish, where on-street parking meters apply and in designated disabled parking bays.

Accessible Destinations

The Quingo team want to encourage scooter users to get out and about on their scooter. The Blue Badge scheme makes it easier for badge holders to park close to destinations, making trips out more accessible for those with limited mobility.

 

Wellbeing

Mobility Scooters and the Highway Code – Part 2

In the second part of a two-part series on the Highway Code and mobility scooters, Quingo take a closer look at what the Highway Code says about driving on the road.

In our last blogpost we talked about the difference between Class 2 and Class 3 vehicles as well as driving your Quingo on pavements.

Mobility scooters and the Highway Code: Driving on roads

When driving on the road the Highway Code states that Class 3 vehicles should drive in the direction of the traffic, whilst Class 2 users should always use the pavement in situations where it’s possible. If you’re travelling at night, lights must be used and you should travel in the direction of the traffic so as not to confuse other road users.

Quingo Scooters
Quingo user driving on the road

It’s important to remember that you must follow the same rules about using lights, horns and indicators that apply to cars and other vehicles on the road.

You should be aware that other road users may not be able to see you as scooters are less visible than cars. For instance, you should ensure that you’re as visible as possible. You could do this, for example, by wearing a reflective jacket when driving your Quingo.

Dealing with junctions safely

You should take greater care at road junctions. The Highway Code points out that when you’re driving straight ahead, you should check to see that there are no vehicles about to cross your path from either the left or right, or overtaking you and turning left at the approaching junction.

There are a number of ways you can deal with right turns, particularly when turning from a major road. If you encounter a situation where moving into the middle of the road can be potentially awkward or dangerous, you can stop on the left-hand side of the road and patiently wait for a safe gap in the traffic.

Alternatively, you could negotiate the turn as a pedestrian by, for example, travelling along the pavement and crossing the road between the pavements where it’s safe for you to do so.

If the junction you want to navigate is too hazardous, you might wish to consider using another route for your journey. It may be safer for you to use the pavement for example. However, if you’re driving a Class 3 vehicle on the pavement you must remember to reduce your speed to no more than 4mph.

Parking your Quingo

As far as parking your Quingo goes, the Highway Code states that “all normal parking restrictions should be observed.”

Your Quingo 5 wheel scooter shouldn’t be left unattended in a place where it can cause an obstruction to other pedestrians – especially those in wheelchairs.

It’s worth noting that under the Blue Badge scheme, all vehicles that display a valid Blue Badge can benefit from parking concessions.