Over the past few weeks I’ve spoken at several national and regional conferences. In the course of conversation, two topics seem to have generated widespread interest and attention: The increasing frequency with which motorized scooters are being used for mobility, and what owners/agents can do about residents who are hoarding.
Motorized scooters for mobility are known by a variety of brand names, such as “Rascal” or “Hove-A-Round.” They offer numerous advantages over motorized wheelchairs in that they are compact and designed to make tighter corners, with a smaller turning radius than wheelchairs. Their popularity has been no doubt enhanced by a substantial advertising campaign by their manufacturers.
The overriding concern is, of course, increasing mobility for those with mobility impairments. Therefore, this apparatus is in the same class of products as canes, walkers, and wheelchairs. On the basis of some of the concerns that have been expressed to me, however, it makes me wonder whether some of our senior properties have become host to an aging-in-place version of the Daytona 500. The “what if?” questions are rampant: “What if a resident runs over another resident with this thing?” “What if someone gets injured?” Some have even suggested that owner/agents require a form of driver’s license test to operate the apparatus, which of course cannot be done. We don’t require competency tests for users of motorized wheelchairs, a cane, or a walker. And the very thought of this would strike many people as absurd.
Still, the underlying concern about resident safety is a valid one.
On the issue of hoarders, HUD headquarters has not issued any guidance as of this writing. However, HUD’s San Francisco office has published instructive guidance that effectively balances program issues and legal (statutory) concerns. Among the latter is the reasonable accommodations provisions of the Fair Housing Act.
I will be addressing both these issues — and others — in greater detail in my “Compliance Toolbox” webinar scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 13. I hope you can attend.