Mobility Aids for the Elderly
Aside from those brought down by certain ailments or injury, the elderly are most likely to suffer from limited mobility that comes with age. From getting out of bed to moving around could be so taxing for them. Besides, many, if not most, of the elderly develop a sense of anxiety about not being able to move around as much as they used to, which eventually cause them to feel inutile.
But thanks to the enterprising individuals among us who look into these particular situations. They found the home medical supply industry to provide the market with different kinds of mobility aids for our elderly citizens. One of which is the basic aid in reducing the burden of getting up and out of bed, a very common issue among the elderly, whose muscles have now become weakened with age. Studies reveal that accidental falls account for the major cause of injury among the elderly, which may even result to broken bones.
A safety bed rail can be of great help as it supports the elderly in getting up as well as it reduces their incidence of fall. At the same time, a bed rail allows them to maintain their independence and can restore their confidence. This simple device comes in varied designs, such as double-side bed rail, assist bed rail, or hospital bed rail, to suit different needs. Whatever design the elderly may choose or need, a bed rail should allow him ease and comfort. Its length should match the size of his bed and must be installed properly to serve its purpose accordingly.
Another thing that restrains an elderly is the ability to get down to ground level to pick up dropped items. Therefore, a reacher can be a very effective mobility aid for them. This device can come in varied design. There is the traditional one that requires grip strength to operate its ‘jaw’ mechanism, and there is also a modified model that has a combination of adhesive disk and magnet attached to it that allows them better freedom to pick up objects, including metals.
A cane or stick is also a helpful mobility aid as it can be used anywhere. This comes in varied forms, such as the regular one, a quad cane, and a cane with an integrated seat. But then again, whatever type of cane the elderly chooses, it is important to get one that gives him a comfortable grip and which provides the maximum level of support.
Likewise, there is a mobility aid for overweight people or those who have larger frames. It is called bariatric rollator, which allows them to move around better. It is built with a bigger and deeper frame with a padded cushion to provide them comfort to sit on whenever the user needs to. Another advantage that this mobility aid provides is that it allows the user to exercise his legs instead of just let it hang with non-usage in a wheelchair, where the risk of atrophy runs high.
Moreover, a chair raise can be of tremendous help to the elderly members of our families. As the person ages, he may find it difficult to stand from a seat less than 19 inches tall, and even more tedious if the chair has no arm to support him stand up. One may get a new chair that allows a raise, or may elevate his existing chair to a comfortable level.
Another mobility aid for the elderly is the motorized scooter which will allow them to travel for a small distance by them self. They can use the motorized scooter to go shopping for their daily needs and back home.
Again, safety and comfort should be the primary factors in choosing a mobility aid for the elderly.
