There are a number of actions that you can take to minimise your risk of a fall whilst using a walking aid. Mobility scooters can be useful if you struggle to walk or are disabled, need to travel long distances, and are able to get on and off a mobility scooter easily. How to get a scooter Frames with castors that swivel may be more manoeuvrable, but fixed wheels can help to make it easier to walk in a straight line. Larger wheels are more suitable for uneven/outdoor terrain. Some studies have suggested that four wheeled walkers are more stable than three wheeled. Four wheeled walkers, when used appropriately, will allow the person to adopt a more fluent walking pattern. Large wheels and/or large swivelling castors facilitate travel. However, they may be too mobile for people who need to lean or push against the frame for support - the frame may run away from them. The size of these walkers make them more suitable for outside use, but with adequate space, can be used inside.

The environments that you spend most time in - your home, college, work or social setting. Do you need to manage the stairs or access a small bathroom/toilet?

with a physical or mental impairment which has a long-term and substantial adverse effect upon his/her ability to carry out everyday activities; You can borrow a walking frame from the NHS. Speak to a GP, physiotherapist or hospital staff. You might have to pay a deposit. As with any repeated movement pattern, the long-term use of a walking aid can cause changes in your gait, posture, balance and muscle strength. These can all affect your ability to carry out certain tasks. It is important that: Physical Therapy Video. Genius! a 4 WW and transport chair in one. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP_0w20Kb9M&t=258s [last accessed 6.2.2016] Triangular frames are sometimes called 'Delta' or 'tri-wheeler frames'. They have a single front swivel castor and two uni-directional rear wheels. The larger wheels make them suitable for use outdoors. You may find them more manoeuvrable than four wheeled walkers, although not as stable. As they are so manoeuvrable, the use of the brakes when the person stops walking is important for safety. Like two wheeled rollators they may allow you to adopt a more flowing walking pattern than a non-wheeled walking frame. The height of the pushing handles can be adjusted.

aidingyour walking pattern in terms of speed and evenness of stride. The equipment may also help maintain an upright body posture To ensure that the appropriate device is selected, your needs, your lifestyle and your home environment should be assessed. Some pulpit shaped frames have a different folding mechanism. The frame is folded by pulling up a wooden ball, suspended between the top and bottom horizontal bars at the front of the frame, lifting the bottom bar upwards and closing the frame as it pivots at the point where the bottom bar meets the rear legs of the frame. We do NOT decide if an item is or isn’t exempt & we don’t make any more or less money if we charge you VAT or we don’t charge you VAT.People may be resistant to use walkers due to social stigma and peer pressure, particularly in minority groups. [8] Having positive peers models, greater physician input, more visually pleasing walkers, lower cost walkers and user-friendly walkers would aid in greater acceptance. [9] Bateni H, Maki BE. Assistive devices for balance and mobility: benefits, demands, and adverse consequences. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation. 2005 Jan 1;86(1):134-45. HandgripsMost standard walking frames have either moulded plastic or foam rubber handgrips. However, someone with weak or painful hands or wrists will find it uncomfortable to push down on these. Alternatives are available. A few mobile frames are available with contoured, anatomically shaped handgrips which are designed to spread the weight over a wider area of the palm.

These frames have a central handgrip that enables the frame to be held/moved using one hand. Care should be taken if using a one-handed frame as it does not offer as much support as gripping the frame with both hands. Advice should be sought from a physiotherapist as using this sort of frame may have an adverse effect on some rehabilitation programmes. This style of walking equipment offers the user additional postural support for gait training and rehabilitation. Fixed height or adjustable height versions are available. Some are provided with a plastic, storage wallet. If the frame is too high, you may find it difficult to straighten your elbows sufficiently and may not take enough body weight through your arms These have a metal spike which provides a firm grip on snow and ice. The spike can be flipped up and down when not needed.Costamagna E, Thies SB, Kenney LPJ, Howard D, Liu A, Ogden D. A generalisable methodology for stability assessment of walking aid users. Med Eng Phys. 2017. 47:167–175. Small solid wheels or castors are really only suitable for use indoors and may require more effort to push over deep pile carpet or carpet bars than larger wheels. These frames should not be used for people who put significant weight through the frame, as the frame can unintentionally move forward with a pushing down/forward movement. They can also be hazardous to individuals with a Parkinsonian gait (characterised by small shuffling steps which accelerate) so consult with your healthcare professional. moulded plastic or foam rubber handgrips. It is possible to get models with contoured handgrips, which enable the pressure exerted through the hands to be spread evenly over the palm