10 Best Indoor & Outdoor Mobility Devices for Seniors
Ideally, we would all remain strong and sprightly until we're 120, but at some point, arthritis, joint pain, balance issues, neurological conditions, or other health issues make it necessary to consider a mobility aid to remain active, independent, and safe.
We hope that this guide to the best mobility devices for seniors introduces you to a few ideas you hadn’t considered. However, it's important to see a medical professional, physical therapist, or occupational therapist before going ahead with this all-important purchase.
Mobility Devices for Seniors Getting Around
Canes
A cane is the first walking aid that many older adults use to assist with balance and reduce the risk of a fall. Also known as a walking stick, a cane can bear up to 25% of the user's body weight, making it ideal for seniors with slight balance issues or who have one side that’s weaker than the other.
Walking sticks come in several different sizes, styles, and materials, and it's important to understand the differences when choosing a cane:
Tip. Single-tip canes are lightweight and effective for helping with balance and weakness. Quad canes with four feet offer greater stability and can stand up on their own. However, they weigh more than single-tip canes.
Handle. Common handle styles include tourist, offset, ergonomic, Derby, animal heads, and more. Round (tourist) handles have a distinguished look and can be hung on the back of a chair. Offset handles and ergonomic handles allow for easier gripping.
Size. Walking sticks come in various sizes, and for permanent use, it's better to buy a cane that's the correct length rather than an adjustable cane. When walking with a cane, the user's elbow should be at a 15° angle, or up to 20° if using the cane mostly for balance.
Walkers and Rollators
Walkers consist of a frame with four feet that support the older adult on both sides and can bear up to 50% of their body weight. Standard walkers have four feet and need to be picked up and placed down for each step. Other models have two feet and two wheels for easier gliding.
Rollators, or wheeled walkers, have three or four wheels, handbrakes, a seat for sitting down and resting, and an under-seat pouch for bags. Rolling walkers don't need to be lifted for every step, which is an advantage for seniors with declining upper body strength.
When choosing a walker or rollator, it's important to ensure that it's the correct height so that you maintain good posture when using the walking aid. It's also important to seek guidance on the correct use of the device as more than 47,000 accidents result from the improper use of walking aids in the United States every year. If you need to use the rollator on uneven ground, consider an all-terrain rollator.
Mobility Scooters
Some older adults have no problem getting around independently but tire quickly when walking long distances. In these cases, a mobility scooter could be a great option. Mobility scooters, or electric scooters, are a little bit like a motorcycle with a seat, a battery, a motor, and a tiller that's used to steer left and right. There is often a carry basket for shopping bags, and you can add accessories like a cane holder or oxygen tank holders if needed.
Electric scooters for seniors are available in three and four-wheel models with basic, mid-range, and heavy-duty all-terrain styles. There are even folding and break-apart scooters that you can take with you while traveling. Generally, three-wheel scooters are best for indoor use and users who need more leg room. Four-wheel scooters offer greater stability for outdoor and off-road use.
Wheelchairs
Wheelchairs can be great mobility aids for seniors who need more support than a cane or walker can provide. They range from lightweight manual models to heavy motorized models, each providing a different level of support.
Transport Chairs
The simplest and most cost-effective wheelchair is a transport chair, which is usually pushed by another person. A transport chair is basically a seat with a backrest, footrests, and four small wheels. Transport chairs are ideal for seniors who tire quickly during family outings and have others who are happy to push them around for a bit while they rest.
Manual Wheelchairs
A manual wheelchair—like a transport chair—has a seat, backrest, and footrests. However, unlike a transport chair, a manual wheelchair is propelled by the user by spinning the rims. Manual wheelchairs could be appropriate for older adults who have to keep the weight off their lower body but have the upper body strength to spin the wheels. Make sure to choose a lightweight rental wheelchair that has an appropriate seat width and weight capacity for the user.
Power Wheelchairs
Elderly people with significant mobility issues may require a power wheelchair. These mobility aids consist of a padded seat (with a seat belt) over a power base, two drive wheels, and four caster wheels for stability. Instead of being steered with a tiller, electric wheelchairs are steered with a joystick on one side of the device. This makes them a good choice for users who only have one strong hand or would tire from holding their arms out in front for long periods of time.
Best Home Mobility Devices for Seniors
Grab Bars
Balance concerns and declining strength can put older adults at significant risk of falls. Over 80% of bathroom injuries are caused by falls, with older adults being particularly at risk when getting on and off the toilet. To stay safe while aging in place, grab bars are recommended for the shower, bathtub, toilet, and any other parts of the home where the senior needs support while standing up or sitting down.
Grab bars come in several different styles, including straight, curved, angled, clamp, suction-cap, and wall-mounted, with non-slip rubber or textured metal surfaces. For the right style of bar, correct placement, and safe installation, it's best to hire a mobility professional to conduct a home assessment and install the grab bars for you.
Stairlifts and Vertical Platform Lifts
Seniors with declining mobility may need assistance navigating the stairs to remain independent and safe at home. Elderly people who use a lightweight walking aid such as a cane or walker can buy a stairlift to carry them safely up and down the stairs. In contrast, mobility scooter and wheelchair users may require a vertical platform lift to move between stories or from ground level to the patio together with their device.
Wheelchair Ramps
Where space allows, installing a wheelchair ramp makes it easier for older adults to change levels without having to climb stairs. Following ADA wheelchair ramp requirements from the outset will ensure a ramp that can be used with a power wheelchair or mobility scooter as well as a walker or cane.
Tips for Choosing a Mobility Device
Choosing the right mobility aid is extremely important for safety as well as mental and physical health. Keep these things in mind when exploring your options:
Stay as Active as You Can for as Long as You Can
Staying active is essential for seniors' physical and mental health. Using a mobility aid that offers only as much support as needed can help to prevent more rapid decline.
Ensure the Proper Fit
Mobility devices come in a wide range of sizes, designs, and weights. The mobility aid should be a proper fit for your height, weight, and intended use to ensure good posture and maximize the longevity of the device.
Learn How to Use the Device Properly
Well-meaning family members often purchase mobility devices for their loved ones without seeking expert advice. Unfortunately, this is one of the main factors that lead to mobility-device-related injuries. Before making a purchase, see a medical professional and learn how to use the device correctly before taking it out on the street.
Try Before You Buy
Mobility retailers and medical supply stores usually have showrooms where you can try out mobility devices before making a decision. Mobility Plus Colorado in Denver, for example, has an extensive showroom where you can test-drive larger devices like mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs to help you choose.
As you try the devices, talk with the mobility experts about options, accessories, safety features, and customized models. You may even be able to rent larger devices for a week or longer to ensure you’re getting the right one. If you rent and then buy, you may have some of the rental cost credited toward the purchase.
Continue to Reassess Your Needs
As time goes on, a senior’s mobility needs are likely to change. A walking aid that's necessary after an illness or surgery, for example, may not be needed long term. Likewise, if a condition worsens, the original mobility aid may no longer be sufficient. Continue to observe your abilities and how safe you feel, and talk with your doctor and family members if you feel it might be time for a different mobility device.
Mobility Devices Help Improve Seniors Quality of Life
Ultimately, the right mobility aid should increase your independence, confidence, and safety and help you stay active in your community for many years to come. Aging may come with new considerations. but it doesn't have to mean a loss of independence or community.
Talk with your doctor, talk with your family, and try out some devices in-store to find the best device and fit. With the right mobility aid, you can look forward to all that your golden years have in store.