How Do You Know When You Need a Mobility Aid?

Once you realise that you’re having trouble walking or moving around, then it’s time to consider that you may need a mobility aid. There are different types of mobility aids, such as wheelchairs, scooters, car modifications, electric beds, and walking sticks in Australia. You can buy them, rent them, or work with your healthcare provider so you can get them through certain government programmes. These devices are essential equipment if you wish to care for your health, and here’s how you can figure out if it’s necessary for you to have one.

You experience balance issues or frequent falls:

• If you find yourself consistently reaching for support by holding onto furniture or walls when you’re walking around your home.
• If you feel dizzy, unsteady, or lightheaded when you’re walking or standing.
• If you frequently trip or stumble due to muscle weakness, difficulty lifting your feet, or poor sensation in your feet.
• If you’ve already had more than one fall in the past year.
• If you’ve become hesitant to go outside or move around your house because you’re afraid of falling.

You experience discomfort and pain:

• If you’re standing or walking, especially in your knees, hips, feet, or ankles, the discomfort worsens throughout the day.
• If a simple activity like going grocery shopping leaves you in pain after your outing or makes it difficult to continue with other tasks.
• If you feel ongoing pain that makes it hard for you to complete normal everyday activities.

You experience weakness and fatigue:

• If you walk or stand even for a relatively short period over short distances and feel your energy draining more quickly than usual.
• If you stand for a few minutes and your legs start to feel wobbly or give way.
• If you need to push yourself off furniture in order to be able to get back on your feet.

You experience difficulty completing your daily activities:

• If you have trouble simply moving around your house or going outside.
• If you start to avoid errands or social events because you’re concerned that you would struggle to move around.
• If you find climbing up and down stairs challenging or dangerous.
• If you find yourself having to rely on outside help for mobility-related activities that you didn’t have trouble with before.

What do you do if you experience any of the above?

• Your first step should be to consult with a professional such as a doctor, occupational therapist, or physical therapist. A professional can correctly assess and identify the underlying causes of your mobility issues, then they can recommend the most appropriate type of mobility aid, whether it’s a cane, a wheelchair, etc. They will also help make sure that the chosen device is properly fitted to you, and they can teach you how to use it effectively and safely. Improper use can lead to the development of new injuries, so it’s important to learn the right way of using your particular mobility aid.
• Some conditions can come with symptoms that fluctuate from day to day, so you may not always need to use an aid. Learn how to recognise the signs so you’ll know when you need to grab your aid before going about your day.
• If you’re even asking yourself whether you need a mobility aid or not, then chances are that you likely could benefit from using one. Don’t hesitate to get the assistance you need so you can continue to live a full life in safety and independence.

To sum it all up, you need a mobility aid if you experience any of the following while standing or walking:

• Frequent falls or balance issues while you’re moving around.
• Pain and discomfort in your hips, knees, ankles, and feet after a few minutes of activity.
• Fatigue and weakness even after just a short time of being active.
• Difficulty with daily tasks that you used to have no problem doing before.

If you’ve already consulted with your healthcare provider and they’ve determined that you could benefit from using a cane or walking stick, check out the offerings on the Clover Canes website. We have an assortment of ultra-light premium products made of top-grade carbon fibre that can help you start moving around with comfort once again.