How did you know when you needed to change mobility aid?

MxHylocom
MxHylocom Online Community Member Posts: 1 Listener
edited March 31 in Everyday life

I've been using a walking stick for a while but I've realised it's not quite enough support. Waiting for the NHS to help has been an absolute pain. How did you or the people you know cope with the wait and what did they/you do in the meantime?

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  • Albus_Scope
    Albus_Scope Posts: 11,423 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Hey there @MxHylocom and welcome to the community.

    There's plenty of places online where you can order replacements, or upgrades. Some even do custom crutches which I think look pretty cool.

  • JessieJ
    JessieJ Online Community Member Posts: 1,054 Championing
    edited March 31

    Hi @MxHylocom & welcome to Scope

    Normally, it would be when you feel your walking stick is not helping, which is now. Time to look at crutches, as they do give more support. If you only need one, you can buy them singly. For comfort, crutches with Fischer/Comfy grips are more comfortable & stable. I've been buying crutches for years & I've also found the Flexyfoot to be better & more secure. So you can see what I mean, I'll link to the one's I'm using & am very happy with. I'm not affiliated to YES, just a happy customer.

    https://www.youressentialshop.co.uk/crutches/flexyfoot-comfort-grip-shock-absorbing-crutches?all=1

    ETA: If you feel you need a wheelchair, maybe best to wait for NHS contact if it's your first.

  • Chris75_
    Chris75_ Online Community Member Posts: 3,546 Championing

    You can rent a scooter fairly cheaply from Easy Pay Mobility ( Part of Mobility Giant).

    You can rent for between 1 and 3 years, with 3 years being cheapest in the long run.

    If renting for 3 years, you can get a class 3 (Can go on the road, as well as the pavement - a class 2) scooter for less than £20pw.

    I chose to buy a second hand model from Mobility Giant last March, and have no regrets.

  • bookrabbit
    bookrabbit Online Community Member Posts: 237 Empowering

    I swapped from a walking stick to elbow crutches last winter because I just wasn't managing but I found that I was having to take all my weight in my arms to move which hurt my shoulder and wrist too much. After months of not being able to go out at all I bought a wheelchair and am really pleased that I did as it is so much better. Self propelling is far easier on my arms than the elbow crutches were and even my hands are holding up all right now that I bought some fingerless grippy gloves.

    I can't have a mobility scooter because I have no where to keep one and anyway I need the exercise of self propelling as I put on a lot of weight while I couldn't get out. I have arthritis in my hands so until I couldn't manage the crutches I didn't consider that I could manage but it's great, except for pavements that slope towards the road meaning I can only use one hand. That is really hard on whichever arm gets stuck doing all the work. And driveways are a nightmare:(

    But hopefully my arms will get stronger, and luckily where I live is really flat. I may even pluck up the courage to try a bus now I have my bus pass at last.

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