Preliminary evaluation of electric scooter related problems in continuing care retirement communities (CCRC)

Abstract

Electric Scooters are assistive devices that have been well received by the older adult population (65 years and older). The increase in usage of these scooters is causing a number of problems for Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC) that allow residents to operate them within their facilities. Due to a lack of literature addressing the use of electric scooters, interviews were conducted with three Kansas CCRC s and secondary data sources were analyzed to begin identifying the problems associated with the use of electric scooters. A number of important issues surrounding the use of scooters in CCRC facilities were identified including: 1) an apparent discrepancy between the problems identified in government databases and those reported by staff at CCRC facilities, 2) limited or non-existent driver training and education, 3) the misuse of scooters by drivers, and 4) an incompatibility between the scooters design and the target population.