There are a plethora of walking aids on offer from Mobility Toys, and we are proud of the diversity and flexibility of our selection. However, we also understand that so many options can cause buyer paralysis, so we want to provide some useful diagnostic questions and factors to consider when you are searching for the perfect aid to help you or your loved ones retain mobility and freedom.
How much weight support do they need?
This is the biggest and most important piece of information to obtain first. It’s best to ask a trusted physician for their thoughts on this, as they will have a good idea of the different potential balance and mobility restrictions that are at play. If you want a quick diagnostic, try this: if the walker can be effectively supported by one helping hand, a cane will likely be an appropriate solution. If two hands or more support is required, your consideration should go towards a walker or other load-bearing aid.
Where will it be used?
For many, the deciding factor will be one related to the common use case of the walking aid in question. If it is likely to be thrown in the back of a car and taken from place to place, a cane or lightweight folding walker will be much more convenient than a heavier solution. However, if the prospective user is likely to spend more time at home and walking around in their immediate neighborhood, a walker can offer more comfort and extend the duration of walks before tiring.
What terrain will you be traveling through?
This is an important detail to drill down on before you make a decision on your walking aid. If you need an option that is adaptable to inclines, stairs, and other difficult terrain, you can bet that canes, crutches, and lighter folding walkers will be a must. However, these options won’t offer as much support as a more sturdy walker or a wheelchair. Make sure to consider the daily patterns that the walking aid will be assisting in, and make sure that you practice and plan around your changing mobility to prevent any unforeseen complication or annoyance.
For more information about mobility products in Southern California, visit mobilitytoys.com to shop around or give us a call at 888-466-1650 to speak with an accessibility expert today!