Understand the equipment before arranging hire
Dimensions, controls, user weight, portability and the local terrain all affect whether an item is suitable. Use our guidance to prepare the right questions before contacting a local provider.
Choosing equipment for a holiday
The familiar name of an item does not guarantee that it will suit a particular traveller, hotel or resort. Give the hire company accurate measurements and explain how the equipment will be used. Where transfers or clinical needs are involved, seek advice from an appropriate healthcare professional before travelling.
Mobility scooters
A scooter can make a large resort much easier to enjoy, but the model must suit both the traveller and the local terrain. Compact and folding scooters are easier to transport and store, while larger pavement scooters usually offer greater comfort, stability and battery range. Confirm the user-weight limit, overall width, turning circle, ground clearance and whether the scooter will fit the hotel lift, apartment entrance or transfer vehicle.
What to confirm
- Ask whether the scooter dismantles or folds and what the heaviest section weighs.
- Check realistic battery range, charger type and performance on hills.
- Arrange a delivery demonstration and obtain breakdown contact details.
Manual wheelchairs
Choose between a self-propelled chair with large rear wheels and a transit chair designed to be pushed by a companion. Seat width and depth matter for comfort, while the folded size and total weight determine whether the chair will fit a car boot. Small front castors can struggle on broken paving, gravel and high kerbs, and a companion may find steep promenades or hotel ramps tiring.
What to confirm
- Confirm seat width, user-weight capacity and whether a pressure-relieving cushion is included.
- Ask about removable footrests, elevating leg rests and attendant brakes.
- Check the folded dimensions before arranging airport transfers or car hire.
Powerchairs
Powerchairs can provide better manoeuvrability and postural support than a scooter, particularly for travellers who normally use joystick controls. The correct chair depends on the user, the indoor space and the journeys planned. Check the chair width against doorways and lifts, and confirm its turning circle, battery range, charging routine and suitability for gradients or uneven surfaces.
What to confirm
- Provide the user’s weight and any seating, cushion or control requirements.
- Confirm whether footplates, armrests and head support can be adjusted.
- Ask how the chair will be transported and what happens if it develops a fault.
Mobile hoists
A mobile hoist must be matched to the transfer being carried out, the user and the available space around the bed or chair. The safe working load is only one consideration: the sling type and size, spreader-bar compatibility, leg clearance beneath the furniture and the ability of carers to position the hoist safely are equally important. Never assume a general-purpose sling will be suitable.
What to confirm
- Describe the transfers required and give the provider accurate user measurements.
- Confirm sling type, size and compatibility with the supplied hoist.
- Request assembly and operating instructions, plus a practical handover on delivery.
Commodes
Static bedside commodes, wheeled commodes and shower commodes serve different purposes. Check the seat height and width, armrest arrangement, brakes and user-weight limit, as well as whether a bucket, footrests or removable arms are required. If the commode is intended to pass over a toilet or enter a shower area, accurate measurements of the bathroom are essential.
What to confirm
- Measure door openings, toilet height and the space available beside the bed.
- Confirm whether the model is static, wheeled or suitable for shower use.
- Ask how the equipment is cleaned and whether all removable parts are supplied.
Shower chairs and stools
A shower stool may be suitable where space is tight and the user needs light support, while a chair with a back and armrests offers greater stability. Wheeled shower chairs require more room and a genuinely level-access shower. Check for tray lips, narrow cubicles, sliding-door tracks and sloping wet-room floors that could prevent the equipment being positioned securely.
What to confirm
- Measure the shower entrance, internal floor area and any raised threshold.
- Confirm seat height, width, armrests, back support and user-weight limit.
- Check that non-slip feet or wheel brakes are appropriate for the bathroom surface.
Walking aids
Walking sticks, crutches, walking frames and four-wheeled rollators offer different levels of support. A rollator with a seat can be useful for long promenades, but wheel size and brake design affect how it copes with paving joints, slopes and kerbs. The handles must be adjusted to the correct height, and a folding model may be necessary for taxis, transfers or restaurant storage.
What to confirm
- Confirm the correct handle-height range and maximum user weight.
- For rollators, ask about brakes, seat width, basket and folded dimensions.
- Consider the surfaces and distances likely to be encountered at the resort.