This site is designed to ensure you choose the most appropriate aid.
Use the category menu on the right to locate helpful advice on the different types of walking and living aids available.
If you are worrying about yourself, a relative, or a friend, it is probably time to re-evaluate their current level of safety and mobility and see if there are simple ways to decrease risk.
It only takes one fall to cause serious injury so keep safe, keep mobile.
As we get older, our abdominal muscles, like every other muscle group slowly loses strength. This becomes obvious when we try and get out of bed and find the activity much more difficult than usual.
Those without ready assistance often find the addition of a bed rail very beneficial and feel more confident in maintaining their independence.
The type of bed rail useful to the elderly consists of a simple handrail held in place by a horizontal frame that is placed beneath the mattress. The simple design allows the user to make the most of their upper body strength when getting out of bed. It makes a previously difficult task simple to achieve.
Those living alone are often anxious about their mobility as this effectively maintains their independence. A simple device that provides help getting out of bed can restore confidence.
Addressing simple mobility concerns can have a positive effect on the quality of life of an elderly person. As a basic bed assist rail can be bought for well less than $50 it is much cheaper than changing the bed itself.
For a simple example of a bed assist rail, Daily Living Aids)![Help Out of Bed]("http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=theartkne-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0014DQT48&camp=217145&creative=399385")
![Help Out of Bed]("http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=theartkne-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0014DQT48&camp=217145&creative=399377" "Help Out of Bed")
For many people, their reacher is the most important aid they have.
We all slow down as we get older, and our ability to get down to ground level decreases. When this occurs dropping something suddenly becomes a bigger issue than it used to be in the past.
Reachers are frequently used in the recovery stage following hip or knee replacement surgery, by people with lower back pain or by anyone struggling with their mobility. Reaching aids allow most items to be picked up safely without bending down to a low level, they are much cheaper than they used to be and can be picked up online for $10 – $15 (see here).
The original, basic design has now been improved and there are a new generation of Reachers available. The Telestik is one such example. From its compact 8″ size it extends to an impressive 34″.
Unlike traditional reachers that require grip strength to operate the ‘jaw’ mechanism, the Telestik uses an adhesive disk to pick up objects. It can be combined with a magnet head to pick up metal objects and can handle weights up to one pound. It is amazingly useful and as it is small enough to fit in a handbag it can be taken anywhere. To see a video of the Telestik in action, click here. The Telestik
A quad cane is an aid that combines the mobility of a regular walking cane with a higher level of stability. They are commonly used by those suffering from neurological conditions such as stroke although they may also be used for general mobility issues and orthopedic conditions.
The top half of a quad cane is identical to a regular cane but rather than having a single stopper at its base there are 4 stoppers spread around a square frame. The surface area of the base varies between canes with large bases offering more support, and small bases being easier to manoeuvre. Many have adjustable heights so remember to check this range before you get a quad cane as well as the safe working load.
To view a range of quad sticks, click here.
A Quad Cane
A bariatric rollator is designed for the heavier user. All mobility frames have a safe maximum working load and cheaper frames in particular often have a weight rating insufficient for many people. Standard walking frames can have a load capacity of 225 pounds while specialist Bariatric Rollators can manage 600 pounds. Bariatric Rollators also have additional features such as extra wide seats that still allow the frame to fit through standard doorways.
The design of bariatric walking frames is the same as regular models with the increased strength achieved through the reinforced metal frame. They come with a seat to let the user take rests when required but make sure you get one with a padded seat as they quickly become uncomfortable without sufficient cushioning. For more information or to buy a bariatric rollator online, click here.
A Bariatric Rollator with a 600lb capacity
Just like chairs, the height of a bed is the major contributor to the ease with which someone stands.
If you or someone you know is having difficulty standing from their bed, there are two choices.
Firstly, you can buy an new bed, an excessive and probably unnecessary expenditure.
Secondly, you can raise your existing bed with a set of bed risers.
Just a few inches makes a huge difference when it comes to standing and for less than $30 an existing bed can become much easier to stand from.
For more on bed risers, click here.
The biggest factor that determines the easy of standing from a chair is chair height.
The lower the chair the more difficult it will be to stand from it. Obviously the height of the person relative to the chair is the important ratio but most elderly people will have difficulty standing from a seat less than 19 inches tall.
After seat height, the presence of arms is the next most important factor. Arms on a chair allow you to utilize your upper body strength to assist in the standing movement.
Finally, comfort is an important consideration. I know of many people who have a number of chairs in their home that would be easy to stand from but continue going back to a low chair because it is the most comfortable.
If you are having difficulty standing from a chair you have the option of getting a new chair altogether or you can raise your existing chair. A couple of inches makes a massive difference when it comes to rising from a chair. You can get chair raises from 2 inches up to 5 inches.
To buy a set of chair raises online, click here.
One of the basic features seperating walking frames is the number of wheels. There are 4 wheeled, 3 wheeled, and 2 wheeled versions and each have their own advantages and disadvantages.
It is important to understand these to ensure you choose the aid most suited to your needs.
The 4 wheeled walking frame offers a smooth ride on just about any surface and also generally allows the user to travel at a quicker pace. This type of walker does put some people off as they wonder “How am I going to stop the frame from gettting away from me?”
Any walker with 4 wheels requires brakes and the brakes need to be easy to use and trustworthy. Hand brakes are commonly used, similar to those on bicycles and they often have the ability to be locked – a parking brake of sorts. Anyone who has difficulty with their hands due to conditions such as arthritis needs to be careful with brakes such as these.
Another feature to consider on 4 wheeled walkers is if the wheels are fixed, swivel, or both. Some frames have the front 2 wheels fixed facing forwards with only the back two swivelling to allow turning. This means the frame need to be steered like a car. Other versions have all four wheels swivelling, essentially allowing the frame to be moved any direction, including sideways. This makes manoevering easier but the extra freedom can make some people feel unsafe. For those unsure or with changing needs, some frames have front wheels that can either be fixed or swivel.
3 wheeled walking frames have the advantage of being able to be used in tight spaces. They fit through narrow doorways and can turn sharply when required. If transporting the frame or storage space is also an issue they oftern fold up to a much smaller size than 4 wheeled frames. They use the same braking systems as 4 wheeled frames but do not offer the same accessory options such as large carrying baskets and seats.
2 wheeled walking frames look similar to 4 wheeled frames but the back two wheels are replaced by stoppers. When the frame is pushed forward in normal use, the wheels help it travel forward and the rear stoppers slide over the ground as they are unweighted. If the frame gets too far in front of the user, or they lean on it for more support, the back stoppers become weighted and stop the frame from moving. This in effect provides an automatic braking mechanism. 2 wheeled frames are therefore good for those with arthritic hands that may find brake use difficult, they also give a greater feeling of stability for those nervous about their mobility. The disadvantages are that manoeverability is more difficult as the front wheels are always fixed facing forward, and on some surfaces the rear stoppers “bounce” a little rather than smoothly sliding across the floor when moving forward.
Summary of Walking Frame Use:
Advantages
Fast, Smooth, Manoeverable, Compatible with added features. Good for mobile people looking for a little extra support.
Disadvantages
Wide, Not suitable if hands can’t work brakes, Fear of frame getting away from some users.
Advantages
Fast, Smooth, Manoeverable, Fits into tight spaces, Folds up into small unit, Good for mobile people looking for a little extra support.
Disadvantages
Not suitable if hands can’t work brakes, Fear of frame getting away from some users. Less supportive than “square” frames. Usually without seat option.
Advantages
“Automatic” braking. Feels more stable. Good for those with hand dexterity issues. Compatible with added features. Good for nervous people or those looking for more support.
Disadvantages
Harder to manoever, Rear stoppers may skip or bounce.
A walking cane with a seat is one of the most versatile walking aids available. It offers the support of a regular cane with the added benefit of allowing the user to take a rest whenever they need to.
This may seem like a trivial thing to the average person but for anyone needing to rest frequently, and at times urgently, the ability to have a guaranteed seat opens many doors.
Those that have limited exercise tolerance become worried whenever they go somewhere unfamiliar. Not knowing if there is a suitable chair or place to rest can be enough to make people decline an invitation to an enjoyable social event.
Walking canes with a seat are used by people with both mobility limitations (such as osteoarthritis of the knees or hips) and exercise limitations (emphysema for example).
There are two main types of cane featuring a seat. One has a material sling that is suspended between two crossed uprights (see here for example). The other is a fold out seat attached to a tripod frame (see here).
As with all mobility aids, the first thing you should check is the maximum safe working load. Not all products are created equal and you need to be able to trust the seat you are sitting on.
If you like the idea of having a trustworthy seat that comes with you where ever you go, a walking cane with integrated seat is a good option to consider.
As our lower limb muscles gradually get weaker with age, difficulty standing is a common problem. The lower the seat, the harder the task, and one of the lowest seats many people face on a daily basis is their car seat.
Unlike most chairs at home, there are no arms to push off so we are unable to assist with our upper limbs. The combination of no arms and low seat height makes standing so difficult many people prefer to stay at home rather than risk being unable to get out of their car.
There are a number of simple aids designed to make this task much easier by capitalizing on upper body strength. A car frame is a strong structure and able to provide plenty of support with some simple tools.
First is the HandyBar. This simple device consists of a stainless steel handle covered with a non-slip hand grip. It fits into the “U” shaped car door latch present on just about every vehicle. It is fitted and removed in seconds and provides a fixed point to allow the arm to push off. There are good photos of the bar in action, (look at all three images) click here.
Secondly, there is a product that provides a different type of support. While the HandyBar allows you to push your way into a stand, the CarCaddie assists by allowing you to pull.
It consists of a simple click buckle strap that attaches to the upper door frame through the window space when the door is open. This provides another basic handle to help you utilize your arm strength. When used in conjunction with the HandyBar it makes sure that both arms can be used to assist in standing from a car. To find more information on the CarCaddie, click here.
The HandyBar and CarCaddie are perfect examples of inexpensive additions that can make a big difference to the daily lives of the elderly. Confidence, once lost, is hard to gain back. It is not uncommon for people to become housebound rather than risk the embarrassment of being stuck in their car. I find that to be an extremely unfortunate situation and one so easily addressed.
