Best Mobility Aids For Seniors
As we advance in years, even if we worked out a lot in the past, our mobility, physical strength and flexibility eventually start to decrease somewhat. Our balance and coordination usually begin to decrease, along with our eyesight. The CDC’s statistic of falling injuries is about 40%, which is fairly alarming.
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This leading cause of injury amongst seniors is caused by losing grip and weak balance, which often leads to falling or tripping on the sidewalk, getting out of a car or using a flight of stairs with no side banister or anti-slip tape. Previous injuries or health conditions can make walking harder, so another fall can make matters even worse in these cases. For all these reasons and more, it’s so important for seniors to have some form of mobility aid when they begin to feel nervous and unsteady, especially when they leave the house. Beyond that, staying active is not only crucial for our joints and bones, but it also benefits our mental and emotional health. There are various kinds of mobility aids available.
Not sure which one to get? We are here to help. Listed below are some of the best types of mobility aids for seniors that will make everyday life much easier to navigate.
Rollator Walkers
Rollators are wheeled walkers that can help you or a loved one walk longer distances by themselves. Better yet, you can rest on the built-in seat when you get tired and stow away your bag and shopping items in the under-seat basket. This is a suitable aid for seniors who have sufficient balance, but still need support for their lower limbs. Rollators also have handbrakes for safety and stability. 3-wheeled and 4-wheeled rollators are very popular, and most feature a seat, storage and foldability as well.
The McKesson 4-Wheel Rollator, in particular, is a popular choice for its strength and weight-bearing capacity of 300 lbs. The 6-inch casters with soft grip tires make movement smooth and easy, whether indoors or outside. The deluxe loop-lock system operates like a bicycle hand brake to slow down or temporarily stop the vehicle, and easily locks into a stationary position by pushing the handle downwards to ensure maximum safety.
Average Price: $96.50
Mobility Scooter
Mobility scooters are electric-powered mobility devices for seniors who are unable to walk long distances on their own safely. And although they may be a bit pricey, they last for many years and are well worth the extra investment. They are effortless to use and usually come in 3 and 4-wheeled versions. Mobility scooters use a tiller to steer the scooter forward or backward. Moreover, they are also a fantastic solution for seniors who cannot use the walkers due to an injury or disability in their arms and/or shoulders.
The Go-Go 3 Wheeler Traveler Elite Plus by Pride Mobility would make an excellent choice. The Delta Tiller frame comes with wrap-around handles that make one-handed operation possible for those who suffer from arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome. Its weight capacity is 300 lbs, top speed is 4.25 mph, and has a distance range of about 14.5 miles if you keep it at a middle speed. The charger port is located on the tiller, so charging this mobility device is also easy and quick.
Average Price: $1,114.00
Step Stool For The Bathtub
The entire bathroom poses a major risk of slips and falls, especially the bathtub, which is wet and slippery after use. And thus, a solution was created – a solid and sturdy step stool for the bathtub. This step stool makes getting in and out of the bathtub so much easier and safer for seniors.
Step2Tub is an excellent bathtub safety aid that secures onto the sides of the tub. It has steel grab bars with soft foam padding and dual clamps for added stability. In addition, the shower step is large with a non-slip base, and the device comes with a height adjustment feature for both the legs and grab bars. It is suitable for most tubs and has a weight capacity of 300 lbs.
Average Price: $189.00
Step Stool For The Bedside
People tend to overlook safety in the bedroom till an accident happens. To prevent an injury, the Step2Bed is a durable, high quality steel step stool with innovative and practical features like padded grab handles, wide-landing base and non-slip feet. You can adjust it to suit your bed’s height to get full support while getting in and out of bed.
Better yet, the motion-activated light is a fantastic feature that makes nighttime visits to the bathroom much safer. The Step2Bed comes in three sizes: Mini, Standard and XL. The Step2Bed XL in particular has a wider landing base and bears up to 800 lbs.
Average Price: $109.00
Home Stairlifts
A stairlift makes all the difference for seniors who live in multi-story homes. Stairlifts help with balance concerns and enable seniors to go up and down the stairs in their house safely, without having to climb them and risk injury.
Stairlifts have two components: the track and the chair. The track itself is a large chunk of the entire cost, including where it’s installed in your home. They come in straight, curved or outdoor types. The comfort and size of the chair is crucial. It is customized for your safety and features advantages like a swivel base, angled back, foldability and height adjustment. The AmeriGlide Rubex AC Stair Lift is a high ranking, top notch stairlift.
However, stairlifts are an expensive investment, so make sure you consult with an expert before deciding to install one. You’ll be relieved to know that many companies offer Medicaid coverage, monthly payments and special sales to make it easier on your bank account. Authorized agents will make sure that the stairlift fits your staircase properly and meets your requirements.
Average Price: $2,545.00
