The world of travel has come back with vengeance since Covid. There is a whole new mindset of “long on money, short on time”. This is true across generations – from Generation Z right up through the Baby Boomers and Seniors. Everyone is traveling.

 

 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) could play a significant role in personalizing travel experiences. Travel companies might use AI to analyze customer preferences and behaviors, offering tailored recommendations for accommodations, activities, and itineraries. Traveler preferences may change, with a growing interest in off-the-beaten-path and less crowded destinations. Travelers might also seek longer stays in one location to immerse themselves more deeply in the local culture. The sharing economy is likely to continue shaping travel, with services like Airbnb, Uber, and bike-sharing becoming more prevalent. With the release of the Apple Vision Pro virtual reality headset, you can go on beautiful vacations from the comfort of your own home. The experience is reportedly unreal – watching your 70” TV will never be the same.

 

Air travel was up 10% in May vs. May of last year. Travel spending is up 5.5% through May of this year vs. through May of last year. Oddly enough, overseas travel is down 26% compared to the same period in 2019 but that will improve with time.

We mention all of this to bring home the point that everyone is, and will continue, to travel; maybe more than they have at any prior point in their lives. That includes seniors. What we want to discuss today is the vast improvements in travel gear and mobility over the last three to five years that make travel, for the mobility challenged, easier than at any point in history. It’s not just the technology that has improved. Awareness continues to improve as well. Companies and individuals alike are increasingly aware of the need for larger doorways, entrance ramps, accessible countertops and vanities, and driver-assist vehicles. The list goes on and on and has become an industry unto itself.Technology has taken a huge leap forward. Things have drastically changed for the better. For those that are challenged with mobility, there are so many new and helpful items that make travel easier than ever. So, let’s get started and look at the ‘best in class’ new mobility devices.

Technology has taken a huge leap forward. Things have drastically changed for the better. For those that are challenged with mobility, there are so many new and helpful items that make travel easier than ever. So, let’s get started and look at the ‘best in class’ new mobility devices.

In 2020 Golden Technologies introduced the Buzzaround CarryOn scooter. Forbes magazine named the Buzzaround CarryOn as one of the “Best Lightweight Mobility Scooters” of 2022. The interesting fact about The Golden CarryOn GB120 is that when design first began over five years ago the design was with cruise ships in mind! If you have been on a cruise, you know that cabin space comes at a premium. It is a tight squeeze. So, if you need a scooter for the trip why not have one that folds down to 12” that will allow for sliding it under the bed? Folding down to 12” high and weighing only 48 pounds, the CarryOn has four luggage handles that make loading and unloading no different than your wife’s bags! Speaking of luggage, the GB120 CarryOn has an optional travel bag for greater protection when you are flying. The lithium-ion battery can provide up to 18 miles of travel on a single charge for an individual weighing 200 pounds. It has a proven track record on the cobblestone streets of Charleson SC and Savannah GA. It has traveled the streets and theatres of NYC, trekked the sands of the Mojave Desert and been through Disney World, Pigeon Forge and Dollywood a thousand times. It has successfully passed all tests.

 

 

When you read between the lines and experience the Golden Buzzaround CarryOn you know you are onto something unique. It is a 4-wheel scooter, but the width is only 19.5 inches. That means a tighter turning radius than most 4-wheel scooters (48.75”) and an ease of getting through stores, around the house, or anywhere else you would like to go. Golden Technologies will never tell you this, but this writer believes there is also an air suspension system in the scooter. When you ride you will notice the wheels dip and rise to keep your ride so smooth you never have to worry about spilling a drop of lemonade.

 

 

CarryOn also features front headlamps and a taillight for those early morning rides or a final ride in the dusk hours. It has multiple adjustable speeds, a horn, and an LED battery gauge so you always know how much power you have left. It has tilted back armrests for easy entry/exit and the drive tiller is adjustable to the angle you find most comfortable for you. A USB charging port, drink holder and collapsible front basket round out the noteworthy features of the Golden Buzzaround CarryOn.

Prefer a powered wheelchair? Lots of people do because of the zero-turn capabilities, making it a perfect companion for in-home mobility. In the past, these powered wheelchairs were heavy and were not travel ready. They were exclusively for the home. There have been improvements though. In the last ten years manufacturers have developed power wheelchairs that can disassemble with several 30lb components that had to be lifted in and out of the car when traveling. The arrival of the Jazzy Carbon from Pride Mobility in 2023 changed everything. This electric power chair is built for travel.

 

 

The Pride Jazzy Carbon is the original fold-down, carbon fiber, lightweight power chair. At only 43.6 pounds (39.6lbs with battery removed), this Pride folds completely flat by pulling a single latch. It stores anywhere. It’s a superb travel companion that supports up to 300 pounds and can get up to 9.3 miles on a single charge. The lithium-ion battery only weighs 4 pounds and, with proper care, should last for years before the need to be replaced. It is also airline approved for those with a flair for travel. It’s driven with a joystick and can reach speeds of 3.7mph. The regenerative and electromechanical braking system ensures you do not go any faster downhill than on a flat surface. It is 24” wide and has a turning radius of 24” which means it is perfect for home or for going out. With front suspension the ride is smooth and easy, and it even comes with two travel bags – one under the seat and one behind the backrest. Disengage the motors with the flip of a switch and the Jazzy Carbon becomes a lightweight wheelchair. It’s a great chair! Our experience with the Pride Jazzy Carbon thus far has been A+.

For those of you who want the latest in great outdoor exploring both Golden and Pride have introduced some great models. We will take a few moments and discuss both here.

 

 

Golden Technologies recently introduced the Golden Eagle GR-595. We talked about the Eagle exhaustively in last month’s blog, so we won’t elaborate too much here except to say we think it is the best ‘all-around’ scooter we have ever seen. It is the first scooter with a large, integrated, and lockable storage case for the back. It’s also the first scooter to have full Bluetooth and speaker capability which means you can take your music with you anywhere. The Eagle does have the highest weight capacity available for a scooter – 500lbs. Finally, the Golden Eagle has an integrated bumper system, another first in the scooter world. If you haven’t done so already, take a few moments and read last month’s blog. It is an awesome scooter.

 

Pride Mobility just introduced the Pursuit 2.0, and it is an above average outdoor scooter as well. The Pride Pursuit features a 400lb weight capacity, 13.9” pneumatic tires and a top speed of 9.3 mph. Trails, hills, fields, deep woods will all be at your beck and call. Upgrading to the dual lithium-ion battery option will get you up to 40 miles on a single charge! That’s unheard of for a power scooter – of any kind! It has a 3.8” ground clearance at the transaxle and has a base width of almost 30”, giving you tremendous freedom to go almost anywhere. It comes standard with Pride’s patented CTS suspension system which makes for an awesome ride. The comfortable memory foam seat has a full slide of 6” for your best positioning and it comes in 3 attractive colors: orange, black and matte gray.

 

Now for all its benefits, we do have to include a note of caution about the Pursuit. The Pride Pursuit is very fast and is lighter than the Golden Eagle. In our testing here we have easily gotten the unit up on two wheels in a fast turn. THE PURSUIT HAS TO BE USED IN A CAUTIOUS MANNER. Be careful of your speeds going into turns and especially if you are taking a turn on an incline. We don’t want anyone to get hurt.

 

So, there you have it; a synopsis of four excellent scooters and power chairs that have been introduced in 2023 and we have them all in our showroom at 1812 Sunset Blvd in West Columbia, SC. You can also visit our website at www.affordablemedicalusa.com.