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4 Types of Walking Aids Designed for People with Limited Mobility

Many walking aids and mobility aids are made to help older people who have trouble getting around safely. As people get older, they are more likely to fall, which can be dangerous. Because of this, many different walking aids have been made to help those who need them stay safe and steady on their feet.

In fact, there are so many devices on the market today that even though there is something out there for everyone, many people don’t know where to begin. A business that started out with simple tools like a walking stick, which most people call a cane, has grown to include crutches, rollators, walkers, knee scooters, and more. When you first start looking into walking aids, there are so many choices that it can be overwhelming. With that in mind, read on for a guide to the most common walking aids for older people and those with disabilities that result in limited mobility. 

Canes

Canes are probably the most common walking aid that those with limited mobility use. By the time the majority of us get into our seventies or eighties, our balance will have started to get worse, and a cane can be a great way to keep your balance while putting less stress on your legs and being a small, easy-to-carry tool. Most canes have a “standard” length of 36 inches, which is a good height for most people but can be changed to fit the needs of the person using it.

Crutches 

Crutches, like canes, help a person walk by, relieving the strain on their lower body. Crutches, which can either be used in pairs or singly, are far more bulky, awkward, and challenging to use than regular canes.

They work best as a short-term solution for getting around after an injury to the leg. There are better alternatives once someone is considering a walking aid for long-term use.

Walkers

Walkers are perhaps the ideal walking aids for those with limited mobility. Walkers have a four-legged metal frame. They sometimes have wheels on the two front legs to help them move forward. Walkers are better for balance and offer better support than canes and crutches because they touch the ground in a much larger area. Most of the time, the user will put weight on both sides of the frame. This gives them a lot of stability while still giving them some freedom.

Even though walkers are bigger than canes and crutches, they are usually still light and can often be folded up. A walker can be even lighter than crutches in some cases.

Wheelchairs

Most of the walking, Mobility aids we’ve talked about so far require the user to do some work. A wheelchair, especially an electric wheelchair, does most of the work for you.

People who can’t or shouldn’t put weight on their legs or who can’t walk should use a wheelchair. The wheelchair can help people with more serious disabilities or who need to go far further distances get around, and can be the best way to gain much-needed freedom for more severely disabled people. 

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