Mobility aids include wheelchairs, crutches, canes, walkers, and scooters. The most important consideration when choosing the best mobility aid for an individual is that it fits their body size. They help individuals move around with ease which helps to improve their strength and also allows them to stay mobile longer. Here is a list of the most popular mobility aids you can buy at a medical equipment shop.
- Mobility Scooters
Mobility scooters are an excellent choice for individuals who need help with mobility regularly. They provide an excellent way to get around and help to increase the individual’s independence. The wheelchairs are large and take up a lot of space when they are not in use, so it may be best to look for smaller models.
- Wheelchairs
Wheelchairs allow individuals who have difficulty walking or standing to stay mobile without relying on someone else for assistance. They come in different sizes and styles depending upon their weight, height, strength, and level of mobility difficulty. Individuals with reduced mobility must select a suitable wheelchair for their body type.
If an individual’s weight exceeds how much the chair can support, it will not roll freely, leading to problems like getting stuck, which could cause injuries. Also, brief models are great for children and people who need a wheelchair temporarily.
- Walkers & Rollators
Walkers and rollators allow individuals who have difficulty walking to get around without the added strain on their body and those who need additional support to walk but can stand up and take steps on their own.
Walkers come with adjustable heights and four wheels so that they can be easily maneuvered in tight spaces and across all kinds of terrain. If an individual has no hand or arm movement, then a walker is not recommended as it requires two hands to push it forward. Also, if an individual falls when using a walker, they will not break their fall, leading to more injuries such as wrist fractures. A rollator with brakes is a good choice for someone who frequently falls because braking prevents them from falling over while taking a step forward.
Rollators come with four wheels which make them more stable than standard canes while walking around, even over uneven surfaces like gravel or grass. It also comes with brakes that allow the individual to slow down or stop whenever necessary. This mobility aid is excellent for people who frequently fall because it prevents them from falling over while taking a step forward. Rollators are not recommended for hip injuries because they will worsen the injury and cause other problems such as back pain and balance issues.
- Canes
A cane is a good mobility aid for individuals who need support walking but whose legs are not too weak to walk independently. They come in various sizes and shapes to choose the one that works best for them. Most of them have metal or plastic tips at the bottom, which help provide stability while walking over uneven surfaces like gravel or grass.
Individuals should take care not to use a cane when there is no risk of falling since it does not offer much protection if they do fall. The individual may also consider using a cane after an injury as it helps to increase their stability while reducing pressure on specific areas of the body. People with back problems also use canes because it assists in maintaining an upright posture.
- Crutches
A pair of crutches is an excellent choice for individuals who have lower-limb injuries and need help to walk around. They come with adjustable heights so the individual can choose the most comfortable height for them since it affects how much pressure they will be putting on their arms, neck, and back.
Crutches are not recommended for children or people who cannot control their body movements because falling while using them could lead to more injuries such as fractures.
The manufacturer may also include some accessories such as pads, cuffs, and handgrips, which improve comfort levels while walking. Also, if an individual’s arms are weak, they should consider using forearm crutches instead of underarm crutches.
Conclusion
Mobility aids such as walkers and rollators provide the support needed for difficulties walking. Each one comes in different models with an adjustable height and additional features that make them comfortable to use while walking around. A brief model is an excellent choice for children or people who need a wheelchair temporarily, while canes are great when the individual needs support walking but whose legs are not too weak to walk on their own. Crutches and a rollator are also good choices that provide additional support to those who need it, although these mobility aids should never be used without consulting a specialist first.