There are many organisations that develop equipment and aides specially designed to help the elderly and disabled individuals live normal and independent lives. Each device has specific uses and is developed for specific functions. Therefore it is good to know the available types and what they are used for.
Canes: these mobility equipment, are very common and come in various shapes and sizes. They are similar to crutches and help to balance out the body weight; however they put more weight on the hands and lower body than crutches. Looking for a high standard of mobility equipment you can see this page for the details.
Popularly there are three types of canes currently in use. They are;
White canes which are designated for the blind or people with vision problems. They are longer and thinner and are developed to inform the user of objects around them. The traditional white cane is also a symbol to signify the visually impaired.
Quad canes come with four feet at one end to provide greater stability.
Forearm canes are used for greater support of the arms. Hey help to distribute weight more evenly throughout the arm, avoiding any undue pressure in one location.
Wheel chairs: these are designed for people who cannot put weight on their lower limbs. They offer greater mobility and comfort when having to travel greater distances. They also come with manual or automatic controls. Examples of specialised units include beach wheelchair units & standing wheelchairs to name a few. Another unit under this category is called the mobile scooter which is used by people with minimal body strength. These scooters come with 3 – 4 wheels for greater flexibility of wheelchair.
Walkers: these come with a three sided frame that covers the person that uses them. Individuals usually carry the walker and place it in front then moving themselves. Some aides have wheels and handles for greater support. There are three main types of this aide in use now. Such as;
Rollators -These come with wheels, handles, a seat and breaks as well.
Knee walkers – these allow the user to place their knees on a pedestal and move themselves with the use of their legs.
Hybrids – this type is a mix between a walker and a cane and has two legs as opposed to one. It is known for greater stability that a traditional cane.
When it comes to disability aides, modifications to locations or spaces can also help in a great way. For greater independence and freedom of movement, many people install ramps, stair lifts and even hand rails with great effectiveness.
These types of equipment have made the lives of especially able people much more tolerable and dignified.