Walking Aid for the elderly people

WHAT ARE WALKING AIDS?

Walking aids are mobility assistive equipment. They maintain or improve your mobility and independence when you are not able to bear, fully or partially, your weight on one of your legs, because of injury, surgery or pain. Walking aids may also be recommended when you have muscles weakness or poor balance, to improve your functional capacity, your level of mobility and optimise your safety.

Walking aids may be used for a short period of time during the healing and the recovery process or may be used for long term in case of disability, aging, or degenerative disease.

The most standard walking aids are forearm crutches, armpit crutches, walking frame and canes. However, your physiotherapist may provide many other specific walking aids in term of size, materials and additional features. Do not hesitate to contact your physiotherapist for further information.

HOW TO SELECT MY WALKING AID?

Not all the walking aids can fit to your needs.

Selecting a walking aid includes taking in consideration your height, weight, health care plan, risks factors and your strength and limitations. Inappropriate selection of a walking aid may compromise your safety, your recovery or increase the risk of falling. For the most appropriate advice on walking aid selection, your doctor should refer you to an experienced physiotherapist who will assess your abilities and your risks factor.

Do not use walking aids if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable and contact your physiotherapist who will select and fit a device for you. Your physiotherapist may also recommend you alternative equipment solutions to maintain your lifestyle and your autonomy. It can be by selecting different walking aid based on your activities, wheelchair assistance or developing a rehabilitation programme. The rehabilitation programme may help optimising the recovery of your strength, balance for a more effective use of your walking aids.