Getting older definitely comes with a number of difficulties and inconveniences. Unfortunately, a lot of older people struggle with limited mobility. A big population of the older age people often struggle with the loss of muscle mass, which often causes developing issues with the joints and leads to limited mobility, including even the most basic and simple movements like walking. When seniors get into such situations, they will often decide to seek for a mobility aid, the most common mobility aid supply choices being a cane, a walker, or a wheelchair. However, it often happens so that it is hard or overwhelming to make sure you are choosing the right mobility aid according to your individual situations and needs. This short guide is intended for providing you with some handy tips on choosing the right mobility aid.
Types of Mobility Aids
It was not long ago when the number and variety of mobility aid supplies were very limited. Thankfully, nowadays we can benefit from a larger number of mobility aids that can better suit the different needs of people. There are three main types of mobility aids as follows:
Walking assistance aids – the mobility aids in this category often are suitable for seniors who are still able to walk. However, the aids are needed when additional assistance and support are needed. The category includes canes, quad canes, walkers, walkers with wheels, rollators.
Wheelchairs – Wheelchairs are the type of mobility aid that is suitable for seniors and people, who find it too difficult to walk by themselves, or it is dangerous to walk on their own. There are non-powered wheelchairs available and these are suitable for people with upper body strength, but seniors with non-powered wheelchairs can also be assisted by other people. Powered wheelchairs allow for greater mobility, comfort, and independence.
Scooters – Scooters increase more and more in popularity among seniors with limited mobility and mobility difficulties in recent years. Unlike powered wheelchairs, scooters can cover a wider range of terrain.
Accessing Mobility Needs
In order to be able to choose the most suitable type of mobility aids, you need to access or have accessed your specific needs, difficulties, mobility conditions. In fact, this is not hard to tell, as you are the person with the best idea of what sorts of difficulties you experience and which mobility aids you will feel most comfortable with using. In case you don’t feel confident enough to make this decision, to access your own current condition, or you simply need the opinion of a professional, make sure to consult with a physician. Testing different types of mobility aids is another good way to approach the situation and make sure you get what you feel most convenient and best resonating with your needs and requirements.
