WEBVTT 00:00:01.320 --> 00:00:04.940 Did you know the right mobility aid can prevent 00:00:04.940 --> 00:00:08.279 a fall before it ever happens? The difference 00:00:08.279 --> 00:00:11.140 between a confident step and a dangerous one 00:00:11.140 --> 00:00:14.480 often comes down to using the right tool. Today 00:00:14.480 --> 00:00:16.800 I'm going to walk you through mobility aids that 00:00:16.800 --> 00:00:19.600 truly make a big difference. Not just gadgets 00:00:19.600 --> 00:00:22.379 and equipment, but tools that restore confidence, 00:00:22.960 --> 00:00:25.640 protect independence, and make daily life safer. 00:00:26.379 --> 00:00:29.100 As a senior home safety specialist and someone 00:00:29.100 --> 00:00:31.559 who's worked with older adults for many years, 00:00:31.879 --> 00:00:34.200 I've seen firsthand how the right support at 00:00:34.200 --> 00:00:36.759 the right time can completely change someone's 00:00:36.759 --> 00:00:40.079 quality of life. Let's talk about what really 00:00:40.079 --> 00:00:44.420 works. First, I want to say this. Needing a mobility 00:00:44.420 --> 00:00:47.899 aid is not a sign of weakness. It is a strategy, 00:00:48.060 --> 00:00:51.759 and it is a smart decision. Many older adults 00:00:51.759 --> 00:00:55.009 wait too long to get one. They say, I'm not ready 00:00:55.009 --> 00:00:57.570 for that yet. I don't want to look like I'm old. 00:00:57.909 --> 00:01:00.829 But here's what I've learned. Most falls happen 00:01:00.829 --> 00:01:04.209 before someone decides they need help. According 00:01:04.209 --> 00:01:08.569 to the CDC, one in four adults over age 65 falls 00:01:08.569 --> 00:01:12.069 every year. That is a huge number. And falls 00:01:12.069 --> 00:01:15.010 often lead to injuries that take away independence 00:01:15.010 --> 00:01:18.250 much faster than a cane or a walker ever would. 00:01:18.930 --> 00:01:22.010 So let's go through some mobility aids that truly 00:01:22.010 --> 00:01:24.950 make a difference. I'm going to start simple, 00:01:25.469 --> 00:01:29.129 and that's with canes. A cane can reduce pressure 00:01:29.129 --> 00:01:33.590 on one leg by up to 25%. That's big if someone 00:01:33.590 --> 00:01:36.810 has arthritis, hip pain, mild balance issues. 00:01:37.549 --> 00:01:40.609 There are different types of canes. A standard 00:01:40.609 --> 00:01:43.650 single point cane works well for mild weakness. 00:01:44.230 --> 00:01:47.250 An offset handle cane provides better weight 00:01:47.250 --> 00:01:51.159 distribution. A quad cane with four small feet 00:01:51.159 --> 00:01:54.959 at the base offers more stability overall. But 00:01:54.959 --> 00:01:59.099 here's what matters the most. The cane must be 00:01:59.099 --> 00:02:02.319 the correct height. When someone stands up straight, 00:02:02.780 --> 00:02:05.439 the handle should meet the crease of their wrist, 00:02:05.640 --> 00:02:08.620 and it should be used on the stronger side of 00:02:08.620 --> 00:02:12.340 the body, not the weaker one. A poorly fitted 00:02:12.340 --> 00:02:15.819 cane can actually increase fall risk, so proper 00:02:15.819 --> 00:02:20.939 setup is critical. Now moving up a level to walkers, 00:02:21.319 --> 00:02:24.259 walkers provide much more support than canes. 00:02:24.539 --> 00:02:26.939 They widen the base of support, which improves 00:02:26.939 --> 00:02:30.520 stability right away. There are standard walkers 00:02:30.520 --> 00:02:33.360 with no wheels, and they require lifting with 00:02:33.360 --> 00:02:35.860 each step. They're good for someone who needs 00:02:35.860 --> 00:02:39.439 maximum stability. Then there are two -wheeled 00:02:39.439 --> 00:02:42.240 walkers. These allow smoother movement without 00:02:42.240 --> 00:02:46.159 lifting the entire frame. And then we have rollators. 00:02:46.460 --> 00:02:49.639 These have four wheels, hand brakes, and usually 00:02:49.639 --> 00:02:52.979 a seat. I love rollators for people who fatigue 00:02:52.979 --> 00:02:55.960 easily. The person can walk and then sit and 00:02:55.960 --> 00:02:59.580 rest when needed. Here's something I tell families 00:02:59.580 --> 00:03:02.919 all the time. If someone is reaching for furniture 00:03:02.919 --> 00:03:05.639 to study themselves, that's a sign they need 00:03:05.639 --> 00:03:08.719 more support. That furniture walking that they're 00:03:08.719 --> 00:03:12.539 doing is risky. Now let's talk about something 00:03:12.539 --> 00:03:15.539 many people overlook, and that is grab bars. 00:03:16.219 --> 00:03:19.400 Grab bars are actually mobility aids as well. 00:03:19.919 --> 00:03:23.000 They provide stability during transitions, and 00:03:23.000 --> 00:03:26.300 most falls happen during transitions. Getting 00:03:26.300 --> 00:03:28.780 in and out of the shower, standing up from the 00:03:28.780 --> 00:03:33.219 toilet, stepping over a tub edge. Properly installed 00:03:33.219 --> 00:03:36.259 grab bars should be anchored into wall studs. 00:03:36.560 --> 00:03:39.780 Suction grab bars are not designed to hold full 00:03:39.780 --> 00:03:43.090 body weight. Keep in mind that a well -placed 00:03:43.090 --> 00:03:47.490 grab bar can prevent a life -changing fall. Alright, 00:03:47.789 --> 00:03:51.490 moving on to lift chairs. Now, a lift chair looks 00:03:51.490 --> 00:03:54.569 like a recliner, but it has a motor that gently 00:03:54.569 --> 00:03:57.830 tilts the person forward to help someone stand 00:03:57.830 --> 00:04:01.250 up. If standing from a low chair is becoming 00:04:01.250 --> 00:04:04.750 difficult, that's a red flag. Repeated failed 00:04:04.750 --> 00:04:07.830 attempts to stand increase fall risk and strain 00:04:07.830 --> 00:04:11.139 the shoulders. A lift chair protects both the 00:04:11.139 --> 00:04:15.000 older adult and the caregiver. Alright, moving 00:04:15.000 --> 00:04:18.420 on to something smaller, but powerful, and that's 00:04:18.420 --> 00:04:22.699 reachers and dressing aids. Reachers allow someone 00:04:22.699 --> 00:04:26.319 to pick up items without bending. A long -handled 00:04:26.319 --> 00:04:29.000 shoehorn prevents risky balancing while putting 00:04:29.000 --> 00:04:33.139 on shoes. A sock aid helps someone dress independently, 00:04:33.319 --> 00:04:37.410 even with limited hip motion. Small tools like 00:04:37.410 --> 00:04:40.610 this prevent unsafe bending and twisting, and 00:04:40.610 --> 00:04:43.029 bending is one of the biggest triggers for falls. 00:04:44.250 --> 00:04:46.810 Here's what I've learned over the years. That 00:04:46.810 --> 00:04:50.649 is, mobility aids, the best one, is the one that 00:04:50.649 --> 00:04:53.930 matches the person's current ability. Not what 00:04:53.930 --> 00:04:56.750 they used to be able to do, not what they wish 00:04:56.750 --> 00:04:59.449 they could do, but what is keeping them safe 00:04:59.449 --> 00:05:02.720 right now? And you know what? When someone feels 00:05:02.720 --> 00:05:05.139 steady, they move more. When they move more, 00:05:05.160 --> 00:05:07.660 they stay stronger. And when they stay stronger, 00:05:08.060 --> 00:05:11.720 they stay independent longer. Mobility aids are 00:05:11.720 --> 00:05:14.680 not about giving up independence. They are about 00:05:14.680 --> 00:05:18.199 protecting it. If you're noticing subtle changes, 00:05:18.720 --> 00:05:21.779 slower walking, holding onto walls, difficulty 00:05:21.779 --> 00:05:25.459 standing up, don't ignore those signs. Early 00:05:25.459 --> 00:05:29.459 support prevents bigger problems later. And please 00:05:29.459 --> 00:05:32.740 remember that it is always easier to introduce 00:05:32.740 --> 00:05:36.459 a mobility aid before a fall than after one. 00:05:37.519 --> 00:05:40.019 So thanks for joining me today. Please share 00:05:40.019 --> 00:05:42.199 this episode with someone you care about who 00:05:42.199 --> 00:05:44.279 could use the information to make their life 00:05:44.279 --> 00:05:47.540 safer. You'll find more resources for seniors 00:05:47.540 --> 00:05:50.680 and caregivers on our website at seniorsafetyadvice 00:05:50.680 --> 00:05:54.000 .com. And if you're searching for an Aging in 00:05:54.000 --> 00:05:56.920 Place Specialist, please visit our sister website 00:05:56.920 --> 00:06:00.839 at AgingInPlaceDirectory .com. And if you haven't 00:06:00.839 --> 00:06:03.199 subscribed to our YouTube channel or to this 00:06:03.199 --> 00:06:06.399 podcast yet, go ahead and do that right now as 00:06:06.399 --> 00:06:09.279 well. Then come back tomorrow for another Daily 00:06:09.279 --> 00:06:12.259 Moment of guidance and encouragement right here 00:06:12.259 --> 00:06:15.879 on the Senior Safety Advice Podcast. Until next 00:06:15.879 --> 00:06:19.500 time, thanks for listening. Take care. Bye!