Health Fitness

Mobility: Is moving affecting you?

Most people don’t think too much about personal mobility, they just get up and walk wherever they want! But for those who find it a problem to get around, what are the alternatives?

We tend to think that mobility problems are only associated with the last years of life, but that is not entirely true. Many otherwise healthy people have trouble moving, sometimes as a temporary problem, although of course there are people for whom the problem is practically permanent. So what aids are available for those suddenly experiencing mobility problems or those now finding it a real bind to get around?

Before exploring the alternatives, it is worth noting that using a mobility aid does not make you a “cripple” or a “geriatric,” two terms, one for repeal and one more frequently used for non-layoff, that they are simply not acceptable. No, wearing a mobility aid just means you’ve come to terms with a problem. Maybe that problem is as simple as a sprained ankle, maybe it’s something much more serious like multiple sclerosis. Either way, once you’ve accepted that life has changed in some way, you’ll be that much closer to accepting the assistance that a mobility aid can provide.

In its simplest form, a mobility aid can be a cane. Maybe that knee you broke in sports years ago has decided it’s going to remind you that you’re not in your twenties anymore, or maybe that ankle you sprained last week makes walking painful. A cane is a great mobility aid: it takes some of the weight off your knees, helps with balance, and doesn’t cost much.

I bet you’ve seen people zoom down the street on those little three or four wheel scooters. What are they about? They just really are just an advance on the cane, taking the weight off for a while. They let you go shopping without worrying if your knee, ankle or hip is going to give out. Especially useful if you can easily walk only a short distance, they can be rented or, increasingly, are provided at larger stores and malls on free loan while you’re there. Many people find that after experiencing its convenience and ease of use, they want one of their own and just go out and buy one!

But what if you can’t afford a mobility scooter or just don’t want one? Maybe a rolling walker is the answer. Once seen only by the very old and frail, they are now used by many who appreciate their lightness and convenience, especially since many of these types of mobility aids have a built-in seat! Taking up little space in the back of a car, they can be taken virtually anywhere, allowing the user to reach places that were previously too difficult to walk to. Some also fold up into an even smaller space than you might think possible, meaning they can go anywhere with you!

But what other alternatives are there? Well, for those whose mobility problems are likely to be more chronic, the traditional wheelchair has been the answer. However, the wheelchair has evolved! Granted, it’s still basically a chair equipped with wheels, but now it’s available in a wide range of weights, designs, and styles. There are even models with a reclining backrest and headrest for people with mobility issues in the upper body. In the field of electric wheelchair design, the combinations are also very varied, from models that resemble a basic wheelchair equipped with an electric motor to models that resemble a lounge chair with wheels. Rear-wheel drive, front-wheel drive, mid-wheel drive – sounds more like an advertisement for car types than a mobility aid (although I guess that’s all a car is, really!). The point is that there is something out there for everyone who needs to make their ‘getting around’ a little easier.

In summary, I hope that this short article has made anyone with mobility problems think a little more about ways to improve their daily life, because that is what a mobility aid is, an aid that allows you to continue with your life and enjoy it. much more!

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