Why servicing mobility aids is vital for independent living and making your equipment last longer

When your mobility equipment suddenly fails, it can leave you struggling to cope with your day-to-day-life and unable to get around or manage everyday chores.

The price of keeping your mobility device in top working order can be a fraction of breakdown and repair costs, as well as giving you the peace of mind that it will be there whenever you need it.

After all, mobility devices are machines which, like any others, can go wrong from time to time. Mobility scooters and power wheelchairs endure the regular rigours of dealing with kerbs and uneven surfaces in all weathers, while riser recliner chairs have the wear and tear of daily use. Aids such as stairlifts can be essential to enabling you to live independently at home, if you need them to carry you to upstairs bathrooms and bedrooms.

Experts at Ableworld know what it is like for customers who need urgent repairs without warning, which is why they recommend regular maintenance and services to keep your mobility aid running in tip-top shape so that it won’t let you down.

Follow their tips to help maintain your mobility aids

Keep batteries charged

With today’s battery technology, you’ll want to keep your device charged when not in use. This will ensure that your batteries are at full power when you decide to go out. Plus, you will be able to spot your batteries weakening over time and make the proper changes before you are stuck far from home. So, after every use, be sure to plug in the device to recharge the batteries.

Disconnect batteries when not in use for extended periods

Do you have a device that you only use occasionally? Some people only use their outdoor devices during the warmer months or at certain times of the year. So if your device is not going to be used for months at a time, then you’ll want to preserve your batteries by disconnecting your batteries and make sure they’re fully charged. Then, charged at least once a month, or weekly if possible.

Maintain tyre pressure

Proper tyre pressure means a level ride and better performance for your device. It may not seem obvious at first but a device, such as a mobility scooter or wheelchair, that is level performs better and endures less wear. This is especially true of the tyres, which you should also check for uneven wear. In addition to the tyre pressure, check the wheel bearings from time to time, to ensure they are still intact and stable.

Annual maintenance

Having a trained mechanic to check your mobility device every year may save you hundreds of pounds in repairs or replacement, when a fault is made worse by going unnoticed.

An annual check by a professional will spot issues in their early stages and replace parts which are wearing out, before they become a real problem. The cost of such maintenance is minimal, compared to having your mobility aid repaired or replaced – so get the maintenance performed annually or when you notice something is not right.

Local specialists Ableworld has a dedicated team of professionals who offer an efficient aftersales service for customers. Their inhouse engineers can carry out repairs and services for your mobility aids.

Repairs and servicing

From a number of dedicated repair centres covering Ableworld stores, their fully trained and experienced engineers can repair and service a range of stairlifts, wheelchairs, mobility scooters and many other products.

They offer expert advice on battery maintenance and battery tests can be done at the store. They even repair and service mobility scooters which have been purchased elsewhere. There are service plans for both boot scooters and road scooters too which include an annual service including a courtesy scooter, one-hour labour call out, unlimited battery tests, and pick up and drop off within five miles. , as well as give expert advice on battery maintenance which can cause frequent problems.

Or as we head into spring, you may wish to consider getting tyre puncture sealant put in your mobility scooters tyres. When expertly added, it can form a liquid barrier that helps to prevent small punctures to your tyre, from small thorns and gravel.

They can keep you mobile and all of their work is guaranteed, as well as being carried out in a timely, efficient and professional manner.

Book now

Ableworld’s highly skilled engineering department has a dedicated repair centre in Blackpool, which serves the surrounding area in the northwest of England.

To book a service, for more information or to find out whether they can service your mobility aid, visit the Ableworld website or call 0800 470 1912.