Mobility issues can wind up severely disrupting lives, especially for people who live alone. Thankfully, there are mobility aids in Pittsburgh PA that can dramatically improve the ability of patients to get around even if they are mobility-impaired. Read on to find out about a few of them below.
Canes and Crutches
Canes are by far the simplest form of mobility aid. They allow patients to place their weight differently in order to prevent the aggravation of joint conditions such as arthritis and other issues affecting patients’ legs. Crutches also work by transmitting part of the patient’s body weight to the ground through shafts, but have two points of contact instead of one, allowing for greater redistribution of weight.
Metal Walkers
Walkers are designed to provide a more stable walking aid than a cane or a pair of crutches. They are constructed of lightweight metal and feature three or more points of contact, which may feature either rubber ferrules or wheels depending on the patient’s needs. Many walkers even come with built-in seats, allowing their users to rest as needed.
Manual and Electric Wheelchairs
Those who have extremely limited or no use of their legs usually prefer wheelchairs as their primary mobility aids in Pittsburgh PA. These can be either manually operated by users themselves or aides or they can be electrically powered, depending on the needs of the patient and his or her budget. Many patients choose to use both wheelchairs and canes or walkers depending on the circumstances.
Stairlifts and Chair Lifts
Stairs often pose a serious safety hazard to those with mobility issues and may even make areas of the home completely inaccessible for those who live alone. Stairlifts provide the safest possible means of navigating staircases, allowing users to simply sit down and ride the electronic stair lift to the top or bottom of the stairs and making it easier to transport objects between floors safely as well. Chair lifts, on the other hand, are designed to make it easier to get up and down from a seated position.
Learn More Today
These are just a few of the mobility aids that can make it easier for patients with mobility issues to navigate their homes and exterior environments. Learn more about other medical devices and mobility aids at the website. You can also connect them on Facebook.
