5 Mobility Aid Upgrades You Might Not Have Thought Of

Did you know that almost 40% of adults over 65 report living with at least one disability? The most common disability among seniors is mobility problems, whether it’s climbing stairs or simply walking.
​Additional mobility warning signs may include:

• Difficulty standing for more than 10 minutes at a time
• Fatigue when walking short distances
• Experiencing frequent falls
• Feeling dizzy and losing balance
• Trouble navigating stairs
• Leg/foot pain, weakness, or numbness

If any of those ring true for you, you may want to talk to your doctor about using a supportive mobility aid (if you haven’t already). From canes to walkers, knee scooters, forearm crutches, manual and motorized wheelchairs, mobility aids had made great strides in the past decades in both engineering and design.

Rather than serving as a “crutch” on which you must rely to get around, mobility aids are instead meant to serve as a supportive device with empowers you to keep moving, keep exercising, and keep getting out of the house. One of the most dangerous consequences of mobility problems isn’t just your increased risk for injury if you don’t have proper support, but you’re potential social isolation and ensuing inactivity that can rapidly degrade your physical and emotional health.

If you have gotten your hands on a top-notch mobility aid to strengthen your movements and keep you active, don’t miss these 5 fun ideas for upgrading it with helpful accessories and style:

Wheelchair Bags - make sure you have everything you need with handy, portable bags and pockets that strap right onto the back or side of your wheelchair or walker. Keep personal items like your keys and phone with you at all times, and even carry around your reusable water bottle or the morning paper.

Cushions - if your wheelchair or walker is lacking in the comfort department, it might be time to upgrade to a better seat cushion. Professional-grade memory foam and gel materials have taken wheelchair cushions to the next level, offering better weight distribution to combat pressure ulcers, better alignment for your hips and spine, and more cushioning for long bouts of sitting.

Lighting - did you know you can add utility lighting to most mobility aids? Affix specially-designed mounted lighting to a cane, walker, or wheelchair and improve your own visibility (and safety) especially at night without having to hold a flashlight or your smartphone while also maneuvering your mobility aid. 

Eating tray - looking for easier ways to eat meals? Oftentimes scooting right up to the table in a wheelchair can be difficult depending on the legs and height of the table. Portable tray tables can attach to a variety of mobility aids including wheelchairs and walkers, offering seniors better access to eating their meals with ease no matter where they are. 

Flare - if mobility issues have you feeling less confident, give your mood a boost by adding some flare and style to your mobility aid. Light-ups casters that fit over your wheelchair or walker wheels add color and light when you’re on the move, and even a fun paint job or colorful tassel or tip for your cane could be a form of self-expression.

In addition to these five fun ideas, don’t forget about:

• Cup holders
• Umbrella holders
• Custom-designed cushion covers
• Grade-aids for wheelchair locks
• Extra-large brake grips

You can find a variety of mobility aid accessories online, in your local big box store, or at your local pharmacy.