Best Mobility Aids For Stroke Patients (Walking Aids for Stroke Victims)

 

Here is a list of the best mobility aids for stroke patients to buy online. Read on to see them!

A Stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when a blockage or bleed of the blood vessels either interrupts or reduces the supply of blood to the brain.

When this happens, the brain does not receive enough oxygen or nutrients, and brain cells start to die. This can cause serious symptoms, lasting disability, and even death.

Depending on the severity of the stroke, some brain cells may not be repaired and long-term functional complications may exist.

Complications like paralysis could arise and motor function may be lost. But this isn’t a hopeless case as the ability to move can be regained through rehabilitation and physical therapy. This can help a person relearn movement and coordination.

Stroke Rehabilitation

There are many approaches to stroke rehabilitation dependent on the part of the body or type of ability affected by the stroke. It could be physical activities like
Motor-skill exercises.

These exercises can help improve muscle strength and coordination.

• Range-of-motion therapy

Certain exercises and treatments can ease muscle tension (spasticity) and help regain a range of motion.

• Constraint-induced therapy

An unaffected limb is restrained while practicing to move the affected limb to help improve its function.

• Mobility training

Learning to use mobility aids, such as a walker, canes, wheelchair or ankle brace.

The ankle brace can stabilize and strengthen the ankle to help support the body’s weight while relearning to walk.

Through rehabilitation and with the use of innovative adaptive equipment, assistive devices and daily living aids, a stroke sufferer has an opportunity to maintain their independence and lead an empowered and healthy lifestyle. Which now brings us to the main point; Mobility Aids.

Also Read: Helpful products for handicapped children

What are Mobility Aids?

A mobility aid is a device that is used by the disabled or people who have difficulty in moving freely to move easily from one place to another.

Benefits of Using Mobility Aids

• Stability in Movement
• Easy Navigation from one position to another
• Increased Confidence and Level of Independence
• Quick Recovery

Safety always comes first, and if recovery is taking place in the home, then certain precautions must be taken to ensure proper rehabilitation.

The first step is to take away anything that could be a potential hazard, such as loose carpets, electrical cords, or clutter.

Open space is best for patients as they set up to move around the home. Clearing out unnecessary objects will allow open pathways to and from different parts of the house.

Handrails, Stair lifts and transfer benches can be installed to promote a greater and safer self-reliance.

Best Mobility Aids For Stroke Patients

On this note, the best devices for mobility of stroke patients include the following:

1. Canes

Canes are mobility walking sticks that are used for support by holding the top while the base touches the floor.

They’re of different types; single tip canes, folding canes, quad canes, adjustable canes, forearm canes, tripod canes etc.

Canes generally relief the legs off the burden exerted on them by body weight. They aid balance and prevent falls during walking.

2. Walkers

A walker is a constructed frame designed to give stability and aid mobility. Walkers usually have 4 legs (2 front and 2 rear legs) and may or may not have wheels at the front.

They are usually lightweight and sturdy enough to withstand the weight of the user. The different types of walkers are rolling walker, walker cane hybrid, Zimmers etc. They help with balance, or to combat weakness of the arms and legs.

3. Wheelchairs

In most cases, someone who has suffered from a stroke will require the use of a wheelchair during their recovery due to limited mobility.

Wheelchairs used to be propelled manually by the user or an attendant who pushes from behind. Nowadays, there are modern wheelchairs known as electric wheelchairs or power chairs that are propelled using electric motors and batteries.

Wheelchairs come in a variety of styles with special features, like easy adjustability and handheld motion control.

There are a variety of wheelchairs categorized according to their purposes, mode of operation, and so on. They are often provided for patients with severe motor weakness or for those who easily fatigue.

4. Crutches

Crutches hold on more weight than canes. They are typically used by people who are unable to work on both feet without support.

This can be caused by a temporal or permanent disability. The different types of crutches available include axillary or underarm crutch, platform crutch, forearm crutch, and leg support.

5. Mobility Scooters

They’re like wheelchairs but look more like scooters than wheelchairs. The scooters are designed with a seat and run on either 3, 4, or 5 wheels. There are two major types of mobility scooters; the front-wheel-drive and the rear-wheel-drive.

The front-wheel-drive scooters are best for indoor purposes while the rear-wheel-drive scooters are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

They are great for people with disabilities that can sit upright, walk short distances, and handle the steering tiller.

Also Read: Top 10 best products for one-handed people

In Conclusion

After suffering from a stroke, the road to recovery is a difficult one. Not only does the body face tremendous difficulties, but major lifestyle changes place a great deal of strain on a survivor’s spirit.

Adapting to a new life is hard for anyone, but by using mobility aids that make recovery easier, a new mindset and perspective is possible.

If you or a loved one is a survivor of a stroke, trust that there is a footpath to rehabilitation, and each small step forward moves closer to a better day.