Which Walking Aid Is Best For You?

Having the freedom to walk where you want and when you want is a wonderful part of most people’s daily life. Taking in some fresh air on your lunch break, or hiking up a hill to watch the sunset after work, can refresh and revive your tired body and brain. Unfortunately, though, there might be moments in your life, through unimaginable circumstances, that this freedom could be swiftly taken away from you.

Having decreased or limited mobility can put a strain on both your mental and physical health. If you have limited mobility or you care for somebody that has difficulty walking or moving around, then acquiring a walking aid might be the number one priority for you.

There are plenty of walking aids out there to choose from; they range in size and style to fit into every lifestyle.

Some are traditional:

1. Walking Stick

Perhaps you have early memories or your grandparents or an elderly neighbor using a walking stick or a cane. Put these memories to the back of your mind when choosing your walking stick; no longer are they the sole property of the aged. Selma Blair has seen to that. The actress, recently diagnosed with MS or Multiple Sclerosis has walked the red carpet using a cane, for all the world to see.

2. Wheelchair

As you can get both manual and electric wheelchairs, it is useful to have a little think about a few things before you decide on this as your preferred form of walking aid: Are you going to be able to push yourself? Will you have somebody else pushing for you? How comfortable is it? Will it need to be used indoors or outdoors? Also check out what storage it has, useful for it you are carrying large amounts of shopping.

3. Zimmer Frame

Walking frames designed in the way of the Zimmer, go back as far as the 13^th century. There have even been walking aids discovered as far back as the Egyptians. So, the design of this type of walking aid has been tried and tested for centuries. Just make sure that the height is correct for you and that you are strong enough to lift it onto sidewalks or upstairs if you should have to.

Some types of walking aid are more modern:

1. Mobility Scooter

Mobility scooters come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, models, and speeds. When choosing a mobility scooter is it useful to take into account: what sort of surface will you be using it for? Is it small enough for you to store it safely in your home? Will you need to pack it into your car at any point? A mobility scooter is a wonderful piece of equipment particularly if you are fond of going long distances.

2. Smart Crutches

You may think of crutches as temporary supports picked up from hospitals for broken legs or sprained ankles, but they can actually be a very useful walking aid beyond temporary recovery. Crutches now have all sorts of design elements that make them the most comfortable they have ever been, from adjustable handle rotation to ergonomic grips, crutches have entered the twenty-first century.

3. E-Scooters

Traditionally a children’s toy, scooters are now part of the mobility community. Getting from A to B could not be easier with electronically powered scooters. Don’t let the businessmen in suits whizzing from office to coffee shop and back again fool you; these walking aids can be used by anyone.

Why get a walking aid?

You can make it your own.

There is something out there for everyone looking for a walking aid. You can choose the one that is best for you and personalize it to be exactly how you want it to be. Do you want your walking stick to be decorated with flowers? Do you want your stuffed animals to ride in the basket of your mobility scooter? Make sure to make it your own.

You can combine different options.

Your mobility aid will become a part of your life so it is important that you chose the one that is right for you. And should your budget stretch far enough, don’t limit yourself to just one! If you want to walk long distance, but your mobility level won’t allow for that, use your mobility scooter, but if you want to strut your stuff on the red carpet and you know that is something you will be able to manage, use your new cane.

It will keep you healthy.

Obviously, the physical health repercussions of having limited mobility tend to be visible to yourself and others, but the mental health repercussions are not so easily seen. Lack of fresh air and exercise can cause problems such as vitamin D deficiency. Additionally, having to rely on others can create friction in familial relationships. If you feel that your limited walking ability is affecting your mental health in any way, please make sure to contact a medical professional.