Mobility Aid Review
It took me a really long time to start using mobility aids and even longer to feel comfortable with them. I wrote about my path to using mobility aids here if you want to read about it. Now I hope to provide some information to those who are choosing which mobility aid might be right for them.
I purchased all items myself and have no affiliation with the brands. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Cane
My first cane was a black folding one - very handy to carry around, but I hated the clicking noise that it made when I walked. I later bought a beautiful carved, wooden one from Art Walking Sticks that I love. Canes are great because they are easy to find, you can pick one up at any drug store. They are unintrusive and easy to carry with you. Many are collapsable so you can take them in a bag or suitcase. A cane is perfect if you are generally safe walking on your own but could use a little help balancing now and then. For me, it allowed me to relax and not worry that I will become unstable or tense up quickly to prevent a fall.
Pros
Easy to find
Small and unintrusive
Cons
Can give you a frozen shoulder over time
Minimal support help
Rollator
My rollator is probably my favorite mobility aid! It provides much better support than a cane, and you always have a place to sit with you. Rollators move very smoothly and don’t require you to actually carry or move them like canes or crutches do. This is perfect if someone is mobile enough to manage the rolling, but is in pain, fatigued, or needs help balancing. Ones with smaller wheels and frames should only be used on flat surfaces, but rollators with larger wheels and sturdier frames can be used on some grass or uneven pavement. They are typically easy to fold and don’t take up too much space.
Pros
Smooth walking
Easy pushing and balancing
Always have a seat for resting
More compact than a wheelchair
Some ‘off-road’ ability
Cons
Takes up more space than a cane or walking stick
Limited “off-road” capability
Wheelchair
Wheelchairs can be a godsend. There really is no substitute when you need significant help. They do take up more space than other mobility aids, but it is perfect for longer excursions where walking the whole time just isn’t an option. I chose a wheelchair where I could either be pushed or roll it myself, as opposed to a transport chair where you can only be pushed. Having the rails on the wheels is really helpful, even if I am primarily pushed because it helps me maneuver into small spaces like elevators or eating at a table. The wheelchair has been so helpful at places like the airport, or outdoor activities where we plan to be there a long time. The wheelchair folds fairly compactly and I even have attachments that hold my cane so I can get up and walk at times.
Pros
Best option when walking is not possible
Good for getting through busy places quickly
Better option than transport chairs at hospitals and airports
Cons
Takes up more space than other aids
Has multiple pieces to keep track of
Often requires another person for use
Arm-Crutches
The arm-crutches took me a while to consider but once I did, I loved them. A couple of years ago we were planning a trip to Italy. I wanted to walk on the mountains where my ancestors lived and I knew that would be a struggle with just a cane. I started looking into options and reluctantly came around to arm-crutches. I ordered a pair from Cool Crutches and they have been a lifesaver! Using them is a lot like using a rollator. They let me relax much more than a cane or walking stick so they are great when I am very tried or achy. They allow for much better mobility and “off-road” movement than a rollator or wheelchair but much better support than a cane. If you get one from Cool Crutches I recommend adding the reinforced ferrules for more flexibility on the end, this can really help on uneven ground.
Pros
Great option for rougher terrain
More convenient to take than a rollator or wheelchair
Cons
More heavy and bulky than a cane or walking stick
Sometimes loose sleeves can get caught in the arm band
Walking Stick
A wooden walking stick from Brazos Walking Sticks is my everyday choice now when I don’t need as much support. It has all of the benefits of the cane, but keeps my posture more upright. This helps alleviate some pain, and is less likely to make my shoulder freeze up. Just like a cane, walking sticks are fairly unobtrusive and easy to take with you. Some can even come apart to fit into a suitcase. It’s a great option for every-day mobility needs – just be prepared for a lot of Gandalf jokes.
Pros
Easy to find (can be found for free if you have a friend who likes the woods)
Easy to carry, fairly light and unobtrusive
Better posture than a cane
You look like a wizard
Cons
You look like a wizard
Minimal support help
Sometimes gives you a frozen shoulder over time
Honorable Mentions
This section has some nontraditional miscellaneous items I wanted to share that have been really helpful to me, either acting as a mobility aid or improving my mobility in other ways.
Strollers and Grocery Carts
I didn’t realize until after I got my rollator that I’ve been using mobility aids for a long time, I just didn’t see it that way. I spent years bringing my stroller to museums or events long after my children were done using them. My partner would ask why and I would always say it’s nice to carry our stuff, and I like to push it anyway. When I got my rollator I recognized what I had been doing, that pushing the stroller can take a lot of stress off my body and give me something to balance with. I saw this later with my Nonna. We would go to the store and I would always try and push the cart for her but she didn’t want me to, I finally realized she was using the cart as a mobility aid to help her get around.
Phone Lanyard
This one might seem silly but it has been so helpful! One downside of using mobility aids more is that I take a lot less photos than I used to. My hands are full and busy now and that often translates to less memories captured of my family and life. When we went to Italy I put my phone on a lanyard and it was so nice to have it available to grab a quick photo without having to hold it or fumble through bags while balancing crutches.
Floor Bed
I love my floor bed – a Japanese futon I keep folded at the end of my regular bed. When I am in a lot of pain or having trouble sleeping for days I will pull it out and spend a day or two on it. Sometimes it feels like it realigns my whole body.
The Body Braid is kind of incredible and something I would like to use more, but it is also very cumbersome and can be difficult to use. It is an elastic band that can wrap around your whole body. The initial system can be used for sitting, or the add-ons allow you to walk around with it. When you get this situated in the right way it is incredible, like someone just cradling your body. It alleviates so much pain immediately. I used the sitting version on the airplane on the way to Italy and it was definitely helpful. That said, I have only put the entire system on once or twice, it requires a second person to help and can be difficult to understand.
Just like the lanyard, these aren’t exactly mobility aids but they have dramatically changed my ability to be in busy spaces. I find when I am dealing with pain and mobility aids that everything just sounds louder. Unlike regular earplugs Loops are designed to let some sound in (you can buy them at different levels). This allows you to go to loud places like a concert venue and still experience the music while decreasing the other ambient sounds around you.
I hope these reviews have been helpful! If you have questions about any of these aids please feel free to email me at wholehousecommunity@gmail.com.
