4 Signs it’s Time to look for Mobility Aids

The CDC estimates that nearly 16.3 percent of all adults in America struggle with mobility challenges that seriously impact freedom and the ability to live an independent life. A significant portion of these patients rely upon mobility aids to increase independence, but not every patient goes from able to disabled enough to require them in just a few days or months.

For patients with progressive lack of functioning or disease, the decision to use mobility aids often comes only after a lengthy fight to retain independence in the first place. Patients often want maintain self-sufficiency for as long as they can, and they may feel that relying on mobility devices is somehow a failure or a loss.

Truthfully, using devices like walkers or wheelchairs is no different than using any other medical device — even eyeglasses! If it helps you to live a better life, increases comfort, or improves freedom, it’s beneficial. Ease your decision-making process with these four clear signs that mobility aids may be right for you, too.

1. You Experience Frequent Falls

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that falls are the second leading cause of accidents around the world. People who experience frequent falls are at an increased risk for serious injury and even death, especially if they’re over the age of 65, though falls can occur at any age.

Approximately 20 to 30 percent of all falls that happen to elderly Americans are severe enough to cause serious injuries, including:

• Broken limbs
• Broken hips
• Head injuries
• Extensive bruising
• Internal bleeding
• Contusions and lacerations

Leaving the house does slightly increase your risk for frequent falls, but simply remaining at home isn’t foolproof, either. Even your own bathroom poses an increased risk for falls.

If you experience two or more falls within a short period of time (e.g. three to six months), or if you have a fall that causes serious injury due to disability or age, it may be time to consider basic mobility devices. Lowering your risk for future falls is of the utmost importance, as each successive fall is often more serious than the last.

2. You Become Exhausted Easily

Balance issues aren’t the only reason to use balance or walking aids. Sometimes, issues with exhaustion or weakness can signify a need for mobility aids, too. This is exceptionally common in people with neurological deficits or conditions like:

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Post-stroke weakness

It’s also a common complaint for patients with various central nervous system diseases, like dysautonomias.

If you struggle with fatigue issues that impact your ability to leave the house for extended periods of time, wheelchairs and walkers with built-in seats can help. Having instant access to a seat when you feel yourself becoming fatigued can prevent undue stress and allow you to better manage your condition when you do head out for the day.

Whether it’s a stroll through a local park, a camping trip at a campground, or even just grocery shopping, learning to make a judgement call about your own limits will set you free. Fatigue and weakness aren’t laziness; there’s no shame in admitting you need support!

3. Excursions Cause Significant Pain

An aging population and lack of preventative health care access in the United States have both led to increased rates of chronic pain throughout the general population. One study from the National Institute for Health pegs the number of patients suffering with pain at any given time as high as 1 in 10. The older you are, the higher your risk for significant chronic pain due to arthritis and other systemic conditions, too.

Unfortunately, there are no easy answers in the battle against pain. Some patients benefit most from medication, while others respond better to physical therapy or massage. Still others find their lives improve most when they adjust their lifestyles around their current abilities.

For patients who struggle with constant chronic pain during or after excursions and daily errands, addressing the source of the problem is a must. But you should also consider how you can make your lifestyle easier to cope with, too.

If you find you begin to dread grocery shopping, doctor’s appointments, or outings due to the chronic pain you experience while walking, this is a strong indicator that walking and balance aids may help. Like wheelchairs for users who become fatigued, mobility aids for those who experience pain can give you the freedom to stay out longer without necessitating multiple days for recovery afterward.

Having chronic pain doesn’t necessarily mean you need to jump right to a wheelchair, either. Start with a cane and gradually increase to a walker only as needed. The goal should be to stay moving as much as possible without causing further harm.

4. Bad Weather Increases Slipperiness Outdoors

This often-overlooked sign that it’s time to use mobility devices occurs not alone, but in tandem with each of the other entries. If you already struggle with balance, pain, fatigue, or weakness, slippery sidewalks and walkways can greatly increase your risk for falls and injuries. That causes many elderly Americans to avoid going outside in winter weather at all — resulting in isolation during a season in which many Americans find themselves isolated to begin with.

The statistics support just how dangerous winter falls can be. Over 42,000 of all slip and fall accidents in the winter occurred as a direct result of sleet, ice, or snow in 2014 alone. Muscle sprains, herniated discs, and compression fractures are all possible as a result of slips on pavement and sidewalks, as are head injuries like concussions.

In the case that you already struggle with mobility due to age or disability, prevention is critical. Don’t wait until a winter slip and fall happens to address the risk. Use the following prevention methods:

• Use boot covers with studs on the bottom to improve your traction
• Take a walker or use a wheelchair to prevent falls
• Avoid traveling alone without a means of contact if you venture out — it’s important that you be able to contact someone for assistance if a fall occurs.

When you aren’t specifically disabled, but find yourself struggling in the winter anyway, remember that you still have a risk for accidents. Consider using a walking stick or studded cane instead. These devices let you grip into the ice and snow to provide better leverage while walking.

The Decision to Use Mobility Aids

Deciding to use mobility aids can naturally feel like “giving in to the disease” for some patients. If you feel this way, too, know that you aren’t alone. Thousands of Americans ranging across every age struggle with this decision each year. Remind yourself that the overall goal is not to reduce your freedom, but to extend or maintain it for as long as possible. You are worthy of the effort it takes to find a solution that keeps you safe, comfortable, and independent long into the future! Visit your local pharmacy for more information about the different types of mobility aids for sale.