Are you or your loved one struggling with mobility issues? From injuries, health conditions, and aging, mobility can be affected by a range of concerns. This can affect your capability to address activities of daily living. Mobility concerns could even affect your overall health, noting the psychological impacts of being unable to handle a range of activities. Here is the good news; with additional aids mobility, you can find a solution to help you maintain a certain level of movement and handling various activities. Let us look at the common types of mobility aids to help you pick a solution that best fits your situation.
Canes
Canes transfer your body weight from the legs to the upper body. However, they don’t transfer much weight, and they also place more pressure on the wrists and hands. Canes are an idea for individuals with balancing problems and those at risk of falling. A popular cane option is the quad cane featuring four feet at the base for improved stability. If you need support walking around the house or out but at a slower pace, canes are an ideal solution.
Walkers
Walkers offer more support and stability. Some walkers feature glides or wheels at the base, ideal for individuals without enough arm strength. Rollators, walker-cane hybrids, and knee walkers are the most common walker types. Rollators feature a frame with four wheels, a seat, handlebars, and hand breaks. Knee walkers also feature a padded cushion to rest the knee while propelling the walker with the stronger leg. Walker-cane hybrids typically feature two legs operable either by one or both hands. They are more of canes but offering more support and stability.
Crutches
Crutches can be used as a pair or singly as per your situation. They are ideal while nursing an injury or dealing with a permanent disability. Crutches transfer weight from your legs to the upper body. The primary options are platform, Axillary/underarm, and Lofstrand/forearm crutches.
Wheelchairs
A wheelchair I an ideal choice if you need a solution that ensures that you aren’t putting weight on the legs or are unable to walk. Manually propelled and options that require pushing by someone else are the traditional options. However, with advancement, modern options include electric powered and wheelchairs that are propelled by neural impulses. There are also specialized options, such as sports wheelchairs designed for certain sporting activities and standing wheelchairs that allows users to maintain an almost upright position without transferring weight to the lower body.
Mobility scooters
Mobility scooters’ popularity continues to grow by the day owing to their numerous advantages. They facilitate independent mobility, as you won’t need someone to push it, among other concerns. The scooters feature a battery, allowing a user to operate it independently while navigating various spaces. With numerous designs, you can find a scooter that matches your specifics. From small, medium, and heavy-duty mobility scooters, regardless of your needs, there is a type that can adequately match your needs.
Following your situation, you can consider one or a combination of additional aids mobility. For instance, you can use a scooter while heading out to the shopping mall and a cane while indoors. If you aren’t sure which option best fits your situation, consulting a professional is recommended.
