Mobility Aids and Its Types

Introduction to Mobility Aids

There are many devices for assisting the elderly or disabled who have a problem walking around safely. There are many types of walking aids for the disabled. You should take time to select the suitable one for the disabled at your home. There is the possibility of an elderly person falling, especially when a person grows older, the likelihood of falling increases. A fall may turn fatal at an old age, so if you have one of them in your family, it would be wise to arrange for walking aids for the elderly. 

There are various disability walking aids available at specialized stores. These aids have been designed to provide security and safety to the people who need them the most. 

There are so many walking devices available now that sometimes it becomes really difficult to choose from the lot. One of these devices could be mobility walking frames that have a firm base. It provides minimal chances of slipping, so it is a good idea to buy this product for the persons who find it difficult to keep their balance right. A walking stick or cane is a simple aid and has been in use for so many decades. It is still used by many who need walking support. Today, the industries are developing crutches, walkers, knee scooters, and many such aids. There are so many options that it may be quite annoyingly challenging to pick out the best of the lot. 

Types of Walking Aids

One can have a look at the following different types of walking aids to choose from:

• Canes
• Rollators
• Crutches
• Walkers
• Knee scooters
• Wheelchairs
• Mobility scooters

1. Canes

Canes have been some of the oldest walking aids for elderly people. Canes reduce effort and decrease the strain on the limbs. 

Canes are available in different lengths with varying grips and hold to suit users’ needs. Some canes can be adjusted to suit the needs of the users. These walking aids transfer the loads from the legs to the upper side of the body. 

A cane can be useful for a person who does not have weak hands. If they do, then they can use a cane sparingly, but not for long walks. 

There are different types of canes such as Quad Canes, Adjustable Canes and Forearm Canes. 

Quad Canes are heavier. Adjustable Canes are less supportive than other kinds of Canes and Forearm Canes provide additional support. 

2. Rollators

Rollators too are supposedly very good walkers. It is fitted with wheels, a handlebar and maybe a seat sometimes. It is for the walker to take a break and be seated for a while to relax. There are brakes fitted in the Rollators that give it greater safety. These brakes are needed due to the presence of the wheels that are prone to roll on if not restrained before there is an accidental fall. 

3. Crutches

Crutches are mobility support devices meant to aid mobility by shifting a disabled person’s body weight to the arms and torso. They are primarily used to support individuals having injuries in the lower extremity and/or injury of the nerve.

4. Walkers

Walkers have a frame made of metal with four legs. There are wheels on the front for better ease and this variety is also available in the market. One may go without wheels also. It depends on the needs of the user. Walkers provide more balance than other varieties of support like canes and crutches. These have wider contact with the ground, so it makes them more supportive and well-balanced. The person using a walker will have more independence due to greater stability and firmer support ground up. 

5. Knee Scooters

Knee scooters are almost the same as Rollators but with a difference. There is a leg-rest, that is cushiony and padded. The user can use the other leg for walking. These are especially useful in those cases where only one leg is injured or where the person wants to remain more active. These are not suitable for those who are physically or mentally weak and don’t enjoy so much activity. It is not for limited mobility. 

6. Wheelchairs

Simply put, these are chairs having a footrest, with two large rear wheels and two very small front wheels attached. It is used by persons who cannot walk because of illness or injury to the spine or lower limbs. 

Often these wheelchairs are folding and can be carried in a car, along with the person using them. Commonly these Wheelchairs need to be pushed around by the caregiver. However, there are the ones that are powered and have motorized controls to enable the person sitting on them to manoeuvre. 

7. Mobility scooters

These are modified powered motorized wheelchairs with a handlebar, resembling a scooter, hence the name.

To shop for mobility aids for older people, people with disabilities, or even those who have had recent surgeries, visit the website of a trustworthy, NDIS registered disability products provider. And if you live anywhere in Australia, Allcare Warehouse should be your go-to option!