Mobility can be considered as one of the basic needs of human beings. It can also be perceived as freedom and source of joy. However, this freedom can be compromised in life in the account injuries, disabilities and natural factors like ageing.
Gone were the days where people are bound to succumb to the consequences of immobility and the reduced quality of living. Due to the tremendous advancements in the field of medical sciences and technology, there are various mobility aids that restore the freedom and joy in the life of impacted individual.
These are devices that are designed to assist people in fulfilling their mobility needs. These devices not only help the needy in their mobility but also reduce the risk of falls at a greater level. With the multi-level applications of this equipment, the individual may feel independent and self-reliant.
Types of Mobility Aids –
The medical equipment for seniors has seen tremendous improvement in terms of comfort and technology of each equipment. Based on the requirement of the individual, a plethora of mobility aids are available in the market.
Continue reading the blog to know about various types of mobility aids and fall prevention equipment especially for eniors.
- Canes – Popularly known as walking sticks, canes have become an identity of a respected senior citizen. Canes may look simple and some people think that they are of no use. But the truth is canes are designed to transmit the weight of the body from the legs to the upper section of the body. These are popular among the senior community and many elders use it as an identity.
Canes could be used for elders who require minimum support walking aid that is easy to use and carry around.
- Crutches – Crutches are used when one of the limbs should not be used while walking. There are three major types of crutches available in the market – underarm, lofstrand and platform crutches. The underarm crutches help the person to transform the body weight to the crutch and avoid using the leg completely. The lofstrand and platform crutches are used where the person can distribute the body weight between the leg and the crutches.
Crutches are for the people who require maximum support and avoid using legs completely while walking.
- Walkers – As the name implies, these are used for walking purposes. Known for their stability and firm grip, walkers are widely used by all categories of people across the globe. The sturdily built three-way frame ensure that the person is minimally dependent on the legs for walking. Walkers are among the most used equipment by the seniors who are living in assisted living facilities and modern senior living homes.
These are widely used by people who are injured in accidents and seniors who are unable to walk on their own.
- Wheelchairs – These are recommended for people who should not use their lower limbs at any degree. Wheelchairs can be extremely helpful for the people with severe physical disabilities or injuries. The recent times have seen wheelchairs that are fully automatic and equipped with a small motor that takes them wherever the person wants by operating the lever at the armrest. In addition, there are wheelchairs that take commands directly from the neurons and propel themselves as desired by the individuals, just like legs.
Wheelchairs are recommended for the people with severe disabilities and seniors who are at the higher chances of a fall.
It is important to understand that mobility aids are designed to provide assistance in being mobile. However, they come with a risk of fall. They need to be used under supervision and it is recommended to allocate a nursing assistant for your elders if they are using any sort of mobility aid.
