5 Ways to Know If It's Time for a Mobility Aid
The need for a mobility device isn't something that happens overnight—it usually develops over time, which can make it difficult to know whether you really need mobility assistance or can hold off a little longer.
Fortunately, there are some clear signs it's time to consider a mobility aid, based on research and people's lived experiences. Long story short, if fatigue, pain, loss of balance, weakness, or slippery weather are stopping you from getting out and about, it's time to think about mobility aids.
Telltale Sign #1: You Hold onto Furniture when you Walk
Young people and older adults may find themselves holding walls and furniture when they walk for several different reasons, including age or illness-related muscle weakness, extreme fatigue, a loss of balance, altered spatial awareness, or feeling dizzy.
If you do find yourself holding onto the furniture when you walk around the house, you could be at risk of falls if you go out without a mobility aid. Something as simple as a walking cane can give you one more point of contact with the ground, keeping you more stable and helping to prevent a fall.
Telltale Sign #2: It Takes You Days to Recover from an Outing
"Paying for" an outing later is another clear sign that you need a walking aid. When age, a chronic illness, or chronic pain make a simple task like grocery shopping a big ordeal, mobility devices can make the trip less tiring and result in a shorter recovery time.
Pain. For arthritis in the feet, knees, or hips, consider an offset cane.
Fatigue. If you are starting to experience increased fatigue walking, consider a regular cane, rollator (rollators come with built-in seats), or manual wheelchair.
If you have someone to push you, a transport chair can also be helpful for longer outings and excursions. After walking with a cane or rollator as far as you can, sitting in a transport chair can give you a welcome break.
Telltale Sign #3: You Are Falling Frequently
Frequent falls—defined by the CDC as two or more falls in the past year—are a sign that you might need an assistive mobility device. According to the National Council on Aging, one in four older adults falls each year, and some falls can cause serious injuries, including head injuries, broken limbs, internal bleeding, and even death.
To start with, consider a cane if you have weakness on one side or a rollator if both lower limbs are weak. In the home, you can help to prevent falls by installing grab bars in the shower and next to the toilet and bath.
Telltale Sign #4: You Stay Home on Snow Days
People of all ages can have difficulty walking on ice, snow, and sleet. In the winter of 2017 alone, there were 20,460 reported occupational ice, snow, and sleet-related injuries or illnesses. When your muscle strength, vision, spatial awareness, or balance are compromised, bad weather can be especially dangerous.
If you find yourself feeling scared to go out when it's wet or snowy outside—especially in cities like Denver, CO, where the ground is covered in snow for upward of 30 days per year—mobility aids such as walking canes with studded tips and boot covers with studs can make it safer and help to restore your confidence. In wet, snowy, or icy weather, it’s also a good idea to go out with someone else or take a method of contact with you in case you fall.
Telltale Sign #5: You Decline Social Invitations
Staying home because you're afraid you might fall or tire too quickly in the presence of others can quickly lead to declining mental health and reduced physical activity, which can contribute to the development of further health issues.
If you find yourself saying “no” to social gatherings for health reasons, using a mobility device can increase your comfort, freedom, and independence and help you stay more socially and physically active. In turn, staying active will help you to stay healthy and motivate you to keep looking after your physical and mental health.
Mobility Aids Can Lead to a More Active and Independent Life
Accepting that it's time for a mobility aid can feel like defeat, but in reality, finding the right mobility device empowers you to go further, do more, and participate in every aspect of life.
When choosing a mobility aid for walking, begin by consulting with your doctor, then visit a reputable mobility aid showroom to try out devices and ensure the correct fit. Soon, you could be more active than you have been for a long time.