Mobility aids are gadgets that allow people with mobility issues to have more flexibility and independence. Mobility aids are typically used by persons with impairments or injuries, as well as elderly adults who are in danger of falling.
Users benefit from these devices in a number of ways, including more independence, less pain, and increased confidence and self-esteem. A wide range of mobility aids has been created by medical professionals and engineers to meet people’s needs, from canes and crutches to wheelchairs and stairlifts. Approximately 6.8 million Americans rely on mobility aids for movement. This category includes 1.7 million people who use wheelchairs or scooters, as well as 6.1 million people who use canes, crutches, or walkers.
We’ve put up this article to assist you in understanding the many sorts of mobility aids. Once you’ve gotten your mind around these distinct types, we think you’ll find it much easier to pick the one you need rather than settling for something that’s popular or fancy.
Different Types of Mobility Aids
Crutches
Crutches assist in weight transfer from the legs to the upper torso. They can be used alone or in groups of two. Crutches are used to keep a person upright and can be worn by people who have short-term or long-term disabilities.
Crutches come in a variety of styles, including
- Underarm: Users grab the handgrip while one portion of an axillary crutch is positioned against the ribs beneath the armpits. Short-term injuries are the most common reason for using underarm crutches.
- Forearms. This crutch entails securing the arm in a metal or plastic cuff while maintaining a hand grasp. People with long-term impairments are more likely to utilize forearm crutches.
- Platform: The hand grips the crutches while the forearm rests on a horizontal platform using platform crutches. Platform crutches are rarely used, with the exception of persons who have a poor hand grip owing to arthritis or cerebral palsy.
Canes
Canes also support the body’s weight while assisting in the transfer of burden from the legs to the upper body. They do, however, impose greater pressure on the hands and wrists than crutches and take less weight off the lower body.
The different sizes and models of canes include:
- White: These are made particularly to help those who are blind or visually impaired. Traditional canes are longer and thinner than white canes, allowing the user to notice items along their path. They also let others know whether the person is blind or has a vision impairment.
- Four Legs: These canes feature four feet at the end, giving them a larger base and more solidity.
- Forearms: These canes provide more forearm support, allowing more weight to be transmitted from the wrist to the arms.
Walkers
Walkers are comprised of a metal structure with four legs that provide the user with stability and support. Some walkers include wheels or slides on the bottom of the legs, allowing the user to slide rather than raise the walker. This is especially useful for persons who have weak arms.
Aside from the base model, there are a variety of walkers to choose from:
- Rollators: This popular walker features a frame with four wheels, handlebars, and a seat that allows the user to rest as needed. Hand brakes are frequently included as a safety feature on rollators.
- Knee walkers: This gadget allows the user to rest their knee on a soft cushion while pushing themselves forward with their stronger leg, similar to a rollator.
- Walker-cane crossbreeds: This mobility device looks like a combination between a cane and a walker, but it only has two legs instead of a whole frame. It gives more assistance than a regular cane and can be used with one or both hands.
Wheelchairs
Wheelchairs are used by those who should not put weight on their lower limbs or who are unable to walk. They may be a better solution than walkers for people with severe disabilities or for traveling long distances.
Wheelchairs with particular features include:
- Lightweight: Lightweight wheelchairs are all under 25 pounds, with some weighing as low as 13 pounds. A lightweight wheelchair is ideal for seniors, but it is not designed for full-time wheelchair use.
- Power: Because they generally come with a number of leg, arm, and sitting options to accommodate a variety of users, power wheelchairs enable mobility and independence.
Mobility Scooters
A seat sits atop three, four, or five wheels of a mobility scooter. The user’s feet rest on footplates, and handlebars or steering wheels guide them in the right direction. Batteries are usually used to power them. Mobility scooters are a fantastic choice for persons who lack the upper body strength or flexibility to use a manual wheelchair.
Many scooter users claim that their mobility equipment has improved their quality of life. Depending on where you are, there are different restrictions for operating mobility scooters on sidewalks and streets. Training is regularly provided to those who are using a mobility scooter for the first time.
Safety Improvements
A variety of home or workplace modifications can be made to aid navigation within a structure or in other spaces where surface heights differ.
These are some of them:
- Ramps: Because certain people, such as those in wheelchairs and scooters, cannot navigate stairs, access to ramps are extremely necessary. Ramps may also be more accessible than steps for those who use walkers, canes, or crutches.
- Stair Lifts: These gadgets transport people and wheelchairs up and downstairs via the floor or the stairwell.
- Handrails: Many toilets and entrances include special railings to give support and stability to those with mobility difficulties.
Where Can You Buy Mobility Aids?
At Global Bases Medical Supplies, our goal is to obtain and sell the latest high-quality and inexpensive Mobility Aids to consumers, healthcare professionals, and medical institutions.
Here you’ll discover a wide range of options.