Selecting The Right Mobility Aid For You

The ability to walk on your own may decrease over time due to age or injuries. While some people are reluctant to acknowledge that canes, walkers, and wheelchairs can help improve their quality of life, there are many mobility aids available for specific needs, and they work wonders. Not only can a mobility aid help reduce the risk of falling or sustaining further injuries, but it can also assist you in building more confidence as you move around. 

But where to start?

We’ll go over everything you need to know about selecting the best mobility device for yourself:

Signs You Need a Wheelchair, Walker, or Cane

The first step toward finding the right mobility aid is recognizing that you need one. You may want to consider a walking aid if you experience the following:

• Falling over while standing or walking
• Injuries or conditions that cause an unbalanced gait
• Limited lower body strength
• Extreme exhaustion after long periods of walking and standing 
• Pain while walking or standing
• Medication that makes you feel dizzy 

Typically, older adults with disabilities/injuries are at risk of falling. A mobility aid can help reduce pain and increase independence. Once you’ve accepted what walking aids can do for you, you can peruse your options. 

Best Mobility Aids for Disabled and Elderly People

Each type of mobility device will depend on the issue and injury, but each walking aid can help the user find their momentum again. 

Canes

Canes can help support body weight and shift the load from the legs to the user’s upper body. While this assistive device takes the weight off the lower body, it can put more pressure on the hands and wrist, meaning a cane isn’t the best choice for those who have arthritis or other conditions in their hands. 

Common types of canes include:

• White canes
• Quad canes
• Forearm canes

Walkers

Walkers are mobility devices made with metal frames and four legs to provide more stability and support while on the move. Most walkers have a 3-sided frame that helps users maintain their grip and balance while in front of them. Users lift the frame and place it further ahead with each step they take. 

Some walkers come with wheels that allow users to slide rather than lift, which is helpful for people with limited upper body strength. 

The most basic walker types are as follows:

• Rollators 
• Knee walkers
• Walker-cane hybrids 

Walkers work best for people who have undergone surgery on the hip, knee, or ankle and need to take pressure off their feet while walking. 

Wheelchairs

Wheelchairs are used to avoid weight-bearing on the lower body and/or by people unable to walk. They’re suited for people with disabilities and those who cannot walk long distances. 

Some wheelchairs can be manually propelled by the user or another person, and others are electrically powered. 

The most common types of wheelchairs used include the following:

• Manual wheelchairs
• Powered wheelchairs
• Sports wheelchairs

Getting Your Next Mobility Aid With Re-New Mobility 

You can count on our team at Re-New Mobility to help you find your next mobility aid. We have a wide selection of mobility devices, from scooters to wheelchairs, walkers, canes, and more. Whatever you need, we can find it for you. Contact us today to begin your mobility journey.