3 Types of Disability Aids for Elderly

As a person grows older, it can get challenging to move around or perform certain tasks with limited mobility. Disability aids are the devices carved out to aid the people facing challenges in doing typical activities. These devices offer myriad benefits to the users, together with reduced pain, increased confidence, and self-esteem.

A range of such devices is available to meet individual needs - from walkers and wheelchairs to canes and crutches. Let's have a look.

Types of Disability Aids

1. Walkers

Walkers come with a metal framework and four legs that offer stability and support to the user. Some walkers also have wheels on the base for easy movability, so they can just slide it rather than lifting it. This is very useful for someone who finds it challenging to move around for any reason, like an accident or age.

Common Walkers Include:

• Rollators

Rollators come with the four-wheeled frame, handlebars, and a seat to rest if needed. A rollator is an excellent choice if the user requires additional support or a place to sit while walking. Some rollators consist of brakes for safety.

• Knee Walkers

Such devices offer the user a padded seat to rest their knees while moving forward with their sturdy legs.

• Standard Walkers

Standard walkers, framed for those people (generally elder) who require additional support while walking.

2. Wheelchairs

Wheelchairs are mostly used by people who cannot walk or don't have to put their weight on limbs. Such aid is better than the walker when the person has a greater distance to travel.

Such chairs can be manually propelled or by someone else. On the other hand, electric wheelchairs are powered and driven by batteries, which are comparatively more expensive than normal ones.

There are around 1.2 million people using wheelchairs in the UK, and the number is still increasing. This indicates the wheelchair is offering them the optimum support which they require.

3. Safety Equipment

With the advancement of technology, modern equipment is making a comfortable environment for the elders in their houses than ever before. Let's have a look at some of the equipment to ensure the safety of seniors.

• Ramps

Ramps are designed for those people who use wheelchairs or some kind of walking aid. The ramp offers a stable and flat surface to walk through the stairs or access the home or building.

• Panic Alarm

The panic alarm system is the absolute solution for the elders to summon help in emergencies.

Such alarms are easy to use, and let them get help with just the push of a button. There are multiple panic alarms known by different names like panic buttons, panic button alarms, but they all come with the same goal of alerting people and getting their attention.

• Handrails

Specially designed handrails that fit into any room or at the entrance to offer additional support. Other items like handrails involve bathroom handrails to prevent the slippery fall and grab bars.

4. Canes

Canes are assistive devices that offer stability and help in improving posture. It is generally prescribed for those who require minimal support. It is also known as a walking stick assembled from wood or lightweight aluminum. Some canes come up with the adjustable or foldable feature for convenience.

Canes are also light in weight compared to crutches, making it effortless to use them for the elders.

5. Crutches

Crutches are a kind of disability aid that offers increased base support to the individual. It shifts the weight from the legs to the upper body and is commonly used by people who can't use their legs.

Some Common Types of Crutches

• Axillary/Underarm crutches: Typically used by people suffering from short-term injuries are generally designed to place the crutches under the armpits against the ribcage.
• Forearm Crutches: Such crutches let people place their arm on the metal or plastic cuff and are commonly used by people with long term disabilities.

In Conclusion

Anyone who requires mobility aids can benefit from the disability aids device or equipment either for the short term or long term. The users report that such assistance helps them reduce pain and get greater engagement in daily activities.

Derry has been working in the mobility aids industry since 2003, acquiring a wealth of knowledge along the way. Before Essential Aids, Derry's background was in engineering. In his spare time he is a devotee of yoga and rare reggae vinyl.