Does anyone have any experience or familiarity with an electric mobility chair like the hoveround?

Chris, our grandpa got a motorized wheelchair from the VA. He lives in a smaller home with a somewhat open living area but he was just not capable of maneuvering it since he has neuropathy in his hands and other issues.

You have probably tried this already, and it might not work if your home is carpeted, but at the nursing home, they leave the foot rests off the chairs and the residents travel the halls by sort of walking their feet along the floor rather than pushing the wheels with their hands.

I'm sorry you are getting worn out! It is amazing the way it takes three shifts of aides plus nurses and housekeepers to care for someone at rehab, but facilities don't think twice about sending someone home to be in the care of one person.

I had one but only used it outdoors, because there was no way to make tight turns or get through any doorway less than 36". It was not good on turf, only paved areas. Got one used for $200 and got a new battery $100. Good as new after that.

We had an experience similar to Pam's. Bought one for Dad at a garage sale; the owner's mother had recently died and obviously no longer needed her scooter. This unit was smaller and less bulky than the Hoverhounds, and might have squeezed through the older house door openings (except the bathroom), but it was purchased for outdoor use and excursions around he neighborhood.

We paid either $125 or $150, something like that.

If you do get one, try to get a duplicate ignition key, as a precautionary measure.

Maybe indoors is okay. But a neighbor with parkinsons, same age, was afraid after getting stuck on a curb, then after falling out, and after having to be escorted home by the fire dept. Not good for someone with mobility desires beyond their own capacity and safety. The neighbor would wait until feeling better, then use a walker. Any activity is good, one would deteriorate sitting only in a mobile chair.
It is a fight for their health, daily. Don't give up as mobility varied with this patient.

ChrisInOregon, one main thing to think about before buying a scooter, would your Mom at 81 be mechanically inclined to use one?

If your Mom's arms aren't strong enough to use a wheelchair, wonder if she would have the strength to use the controls on the scooter?

My mother has one. It is now an albatross with dead batteries. She couldn't use it inside because it is too big and hard to maneuver in tight spaces. She couldn't use it outside because the sidewalks are not even. I kept it charged for a long time, but the batteries finally died. I tried to get her to donate it, but she wouldn't. So there it sets with its dead batteries and tires getting flat on the bottom. Before anyone gets a power chair I would advise them to make sure it will work for them. Medicare will no longer buy them, but if the doctor prescribes one, they will help to rent it from an authorized store.

Adding a bit more -- My mother is not mechanically inclined. She was always too nervous to drive a car. The joystick on a Hoveround takes some skill in learning how to use it. I road it a bit and crashed into furniture as I was learning. It isn't so easy. Anyway... my mother got on it one time and that was it. That was in the days when I wasn't here, so I don't know how well she did. I have a feeling she was scared of it.

I think renting one is a good idea, it would give you a better understanding of the pros and cons. I think it could work very well in today's open concept homes, not so well in traditional homes with narrow halls and doors. And Jessie brings up a good point about your mom's ability to use the controls, since she has parkinson's she might have a problem with them unless they can be modified.
I also wonder what your mom thinks of the idea, if she is frustrated about her lack of mobility and enthusiastic about giving it a try it is more apt be successful.

My Mom has a power chair and the thing is pretty nice! She loves to go to pot lucks and bible studies or social functions in her apartment bldg. but for the restroom she keeps her walker close to entry as the power chair won't fit. She would never be able to get out and go anywhere otherwise and uses the senior transportation to travel. I hope this helps.

My friends aunt had a motorized chair called a Sassy. She loved it. Would use it all over the house and I think out of doors also. She would get out of it and into her recliner or into bed , toilet etc. So she could transfer. She made her coffee and meals in it.