When you have limited mobility, choosing an appropriate walking aid is one of the most important things you can do. The correct walking aid can make day-to-day life easier and have a positive impact on your health and wellbeing.
At Living Needs, we stock a wide range of walking and mobility aids. Here are some of the options that may suit you, ranging from basic walking sticks to more specialised options.
- Walking Sticks – If you can walk with very little support, a simple walking stick may do the trick. If you find you need a little more support, a stick with a tripod base, a quad cane, or crutches may give you that extra bit of stability you need.
- Rollators – People who need significant support when walking may benefit from a rollator. There are a variety of options to suit every individual, from a small tri-walker (perfect for around the home or short trips out), to a 4-wheeled walker with a seat and shopping basket. We are also proud stockists of Topro walkers, a premium rollator designed specifically for comfort, durability and ease of use. We also stock walking frames.
- Wheelchairs – If you are unable to stand safely for more than 10 seconds, it is advisable to consider using a wheelchair. We stock self-propelled wheelchairs (with large wheels) and attendant-propelled/transport wheelchairs in a range of sizes to suit everyone.
It is important to remember that everyone has different needs, and what may suit one individual, may not necessarily be right for someone else. As a rule, larger walking aids give more stability than smaller ones. If you are still reasonably mobile but need just a little extra stability, a tri-walker may be perfect for you, whereas a four-wheeled rollator will give much more support.
Another consideration is the environment in which you intend to use your walking aid. A walking stick, frame or tri-walker may be ideal to navigate smaller spaces, such as around the home, and short trips out. However, a four-wheeled walker (such as a Topro) will give you extra support on longer journeys, as well as a comfortable seat and somewhere to store your shopping bags!
You may find that you want to invest in a variety of mobility aids to help you, if your situation varies depending on the day, or even the time of day. Some people find that a walking stick will be enough in the morning, but come the evening, they will need more support. Likewise, an individual may not be able to weight-bear before taking medication, but could be on the move with a quad cane a couple of hours later.
For more information or advice, feel free to drop in to the Living Needs showroom on Mill Road (near Rolle Quay) in Barnstaple to view our extensive range of mobility aids and home adaptations. Alternatively, you can call 01271 374600 for more advice, or take a look at our website – www.livingneeds.co.uk. We are also active on Facebook and Twitter – just type in ‘Living Needs’ and ‘like’ or follow our page.