Mobility Equipment Supplies

WHY CHOOSE A FOLDABLE ROLLATOR?
It is very useful if the rollator can fold so that it does not take up unnecessary space. You can put it in the back of your car or on public transport. The walking aid should help you get out and about or around the home as easily as possible.

Additionally, a walker that does not stand up when folded means that it will need to be picked up off the floor and unfolded. If you are already having difficulties walking, then this might make you more prone to falling over when you are trying to pick the rollator up and unfold it. Therefore, it is vital that you get a rollator that can stand up on its own even when folded.

ARE THEY ADJUSTABLE?
Yes. Since people come in different shapes and sizes, it is important that you get a walker, which will fit your size and height. Some walkers are very adjustable. The handles and seat can be adjusted to suit your height. This feature is to ensure that you can sit on the seat properly, comfortably, and safely.

FOUR-WHEEL VS. THREE-WHEEL ROLLATORS
Four-wheel rollators are generally more stable than three-wheel rollators for the same reason that you do not see many three-wheel cars around. They are a little more prone to tipping over than a four-wheel option.

LIGHT VS. HEAVY ROLLATORS
Weight can be an important factor for the ease of use particularly when the user is weak. A heavy walker will make it more difficult to move around, also making it harder to put into the back of a car, onto public transport, up a curb, or just over a bump.

LARGE WHEELS VS. SMALL WHEELS
The size of the wheels will determine to some degree how smooth the rollator is when going over an uneven surface. Larger wheels will be smoother because it will not fall into smaller holes as easily as larger wheels. You could expect a more rough/bumpy experience from a rollator with small wheels.

IMPORTANCE OF A ROLLATOR SEAT
A walking aid with a seat is useful if you have difficulty walking any distance. It allows you to stop as soon as you get tired to take a rest. This is important if you are feeling weak and need to stop quickly to catch your breath.

ARE THE BRAKES EASY TO APPLY?
Yes. If you have weak hands then the brakes need to be comfortable and easy to apply. The park brake is essential to hold the walking aid steady and stopping it from rolling away when you try to sit down, assuming that the walker has a seat. If you try to sit down with no parking brake on, then the walking aid may roll away and you could find yourself flat on your back.

CAN YOU CARRY THINGS ON YOUR ROLLATOR?
Yes. Being able to carry walking sticks, canes, drinks, oxygen cylinders, meal trays, baskets/ bags is useful when going outside or for use in the home. Some walkers come equipped with a range of accessories which will enable you to carry essential equipment you need for getting around safely.

Trying to personally modify the walker with your own equipment can be dangerous and make the walking aid unstable. If accessories are available, then these would be tested to ensure the safety of the walker is not compromised.

HAS THE ROLLATOR BEEN TESTED? IS IT SAFE?
Walkers should be developed in accordance with the applicable standard for walking aids, the most common standard being ISO 11199-2. Make sure that your rollator has passed these standards.

WHAT IS THE WEIGHT CAPACITY OF THE ROLLATOR?
It is important that the rollator is able to hold your weight should you be sitting on it. Bariatric walkers will be more suitable for heavier users because they will have a higher weight capacity, but also because the handles will be further apart. However, if the handles are further apart, you will need to check that the rollator will fit through normal doors.

DOES THE ROLLATOR HAVE WARRANTY?
It is worth checking the warranty to make sure you can return it if there are any problems.

CAN YOU GET SPARE PARTS EASILY?
Parts may sometimes break or are faulty. It is worth checking how easy it is to get spare parts so you do not have to purchase a new rollator to fix a minor problem.

HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT ADVICE?
The Disabled Living Foundation has a website which offer probably the most up to date and comprehensive list of products (see Living Made Easy). They aim to provide a similar service to Assist UK, a charity supported by professional therapists who provide free impartial advice to people looking for disability equipment in the UK.

Ricability is also a useful charity devoted to consumer testing products for older people and people with disabilities who are about to publish a guide on walking aids.

Enabled by Design is also a very good resource. They are a community of people passionate about well designed everyday products and provide independent reviews by their community members on the products they have tested.

From my experience, retailers need to be treated with some degree of caution. There are some very good retailers who are there to serve their customers’ needs. Still, there are others who are more interested in supplying the products which give them the highest mark up or they may be committed to purchasing particular types of walkers. It is worth doing an internet search to see what other products are available and come in armed with this information to the retailer. The problem is that there are so many products available in the marketplace that it is impossible for the retailers to stock and know about all products that are available, so it is worth doing some research for yourself on which product you think is most suitable for you.

DoAbility UK is the exclusive distributor of Volaris Rollators in the UK and Ireland. They have a extensive line of rollators that would definitely suit your needs.

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All walking frames can be folded for storage or transportation and all have some kind of brake. They also all have fixed wheels at the back and swivelling wheels (castors) at the front, like a supermarket trolley.

Three and four-wheeled walking frames

There are two basic varieties of wheeled walking frame – three-wheeled and four-wheeled.

Some people prefer three-wheeled walking frames because they look smaller and less obtrusive. They can also be a bit lighter and easier to manoeuvre than some four-wheeled models.

However, many professionals advise against three-wheelers because they are less stable. It is also easier to use them without unfolding them all the way, which can be even more risky.

Some three-wheelers have a safety feature that makes it harder to use them without unfolding them properly.

Features

Folding

All walking frames can be folded.

Three-wheelers fold like a book.

Four-wheelers fold in one of two ways: in ‘A’-type walking frames, you fold the front wheels and back wheels together and in ‘X’-type walking frames you fold the two sides together.

Folding can be difficult on some models, so you need to make sure that you know how it works, and that you can do it safely.

Things to watch out for:

On some models it is possible to unfold the walking frame without it clicking securely into place. Obviously this can be dangerous. Some walking frames have a catch that shows clearly if it is in place or not.

Some models need two hands to fold them. If the frame is not stable when folded, this might make you lose your balance.

Most walking frames still stand up when they are folded, but some of the A-folding models do not. This may make them harder for you to use.

Make sure you don’t catch your fingers when folding or unfolding the walking frame. Some are better for this than others.

Some walking frames have a clip or catch that secures them in the folded position. This may make them easier for you to use.

Wheels

The size and shape of the wheels can make a big difference to how easy the walking frame is to use. Larger wheels are easier to push on uneven or bumpy surfaces.

There are four main kinds of wheels – balloon, double, solid and rubberised. All the balloon, solid and rubberised wheels are around 200mm (8 inches) across; double wheels are 90mm (3 1/2 inches) across.

Hard, shiny tyres can be slippy on some surfaces, even carpets. Even the brakes can slip, especially if they are not properly adjusted.

• balloon

Most three-wheelers have ‘balloon’ wheels. These are large wheels with fat, quite hard, plastic tyres. The brakes hold quite well on these tyres.

• double

These are pairs of smaller, plastic wheels, like on a push chair. The brakes do hold quite well on these wheels. Some of the people in our tests found them a bit rattly.

• solid

Some of the four-wheelers have solid tyres. These are large wheels with slimmer hard plastic tyres. Some of them were quite slippy in the tests. Some have ridges to give them better grip.

• rubberised

Some of the four-wheelers have rubberised tyres (right). These are large plastic wheels with low profile rubber tyres. They were the grippiest tyers in the tests, though they did still slip on some surfaces.

Holding on

Handles and hand grips are important because they take your weight and you will be holding them for a long time. It’s important to make sure they are in the right position so you are going to be comfortable. Usually you can adjust the height of the hand grips, and on some models the angle as well.

Mostly you hold and steer the walking frame with both hands, holding on to the frame or holding special handles, but if your hands are stiff or painful you can have forearm supports on some models.

It is also possible to adapt some walking frames to be used with just one hand. This is done either by fitting a bar or grip that you can hold in the middle of the walking frame, or simply by connecting both brake cables to the same lever. Be aware that if you are putting all your weight on just one side of the walking frame you might risk overbalancing.

There’s a variety of different hand grips. The simplest are covered with padded tape, like on a bicycle, or have soft foam grips.

Some walking frames have specially shaped hand grips (sometimes called ergonomic or anatomic grips) that are supposed to fit more comfortably in your hand. These can be more comfortable, but if the moulding doesn’t fit your hand, they may become uncomfortable to hold.

Other walking frames have simple plastic hand grips.

Brakes

All walking frames have brakes of one kind or another.

Pressure brakes go on when you push them down. As you push down the wheels spring up so that the frame stands on its rubber feet. They are easy to use because it is easy to use your weight to press down. They only stay on while you are pushing, so you cannot lock the brakes on if you want to stay put for a while. Make sure they are properly adjusted; otherwise they might come on by themselves when you are not expecting it.

Lever brakes work by squeezing a lever, like on a bicycle. They can be used to slow you down as you are going along and can be locked on to keep the frame steady while you sit down, or put things on the tray or basket.

Strap brakes Some walking frames have a strap brake, that works like a lever brake except that you squeeze a loop of the strap instead of a lever. These are quite comfortable to use, but you sometimes have to squeeze quite hard. They can be locked on.

If you are choosing a walking frame with lever or strap brakes, check you can stretch your fingers far enough to reach and squeeze with enough force and that you can comfortably apply the brakes. You also need to be able to push the lever or strap down to lock the brakes on. Some brake levers are shaped to make them easier to use.

Brakes should not need much maintenance if they have been set up properly. Strap and lever brakes may need to be adjusted to allow for wear. Make sure you or someone who may help you knows how to do this. It’s easy, but with some types you will need two spanners (not supplied).

Seats and backrests

All four-wheeled frames have seats. Very few three-wheelers do. Seats can be useful, especially on longer trips. They are meant for short rests, not sitting in for a long time. They are made of fabric, wood or plastic, and may be rigid or flexible. Some are padded and some have backrests.

Try them out to find out which suits you, and take enough time doing so. Check that the seat is the right height for you to sit comfortably, and high enough to let you sit down and get up easily. Some are adjustable and some frames come in a range of sizes. If you need back support check it is at the right height to support you comfortably. A few backrests are adjustable.

Bags, baskets and trays

Many frames come with a bag or basket for carrying things. Some frames can be folded without taking the (empty) bag off, but solid metal baskets must be removed before folding. This means that if you go by car to the shops you have to take all your shopping out before you can get the frame into the car. If you put a shopping bag into the frame’s bag first, you can lift everything out in one go.

Some baskets sit at the front of the frame. If you are worried about bag snatchers look for one where the basket or bag can be closed, or is harder to get at.

Many frames have a tray – useful for carrying things from room to room at home. Check that you can reach it easily (some are very low down) and they are firm enough (some shake around a bit).

Other features

There are many other features that come with some walking frames as standard or as optional extras. These include walking stick holders, drink holders, oxygen cylinder holders and parasols.

Some walking frames have ‘kerb climbers’. These are small pedals attached to the rear wheels that are meant to make it easier to get up kerbs. We found they were quite hard to use.

Some walking frames also have slow-down brakes that can be tightened up on one of the wheels to stop the walking frame running away with you.

Models

We asked a group of experts (an ergonomist, three occupational therapists, two physiotherapists, three people who use walking frames and a mechanical engineer, who carried out a mechanical safety inspection) to look at eighteen walking frames. They looked at the various features that are available and evaluated the walking frames on eleven different points.

In this section, we discuss each model in turn highlighting the good and bad points of each one.

Volaris S7

The Volaris S7 is an X-folding four-wheeled walking frame.

It has rubberised tyres, straight hand grips and lever brakes and a solid plastic seat with a strap backrest.

You can adjust the height of the hand grips (10 positions) and the seat (5 positions). Adjustment is very easy.

It has a removable wire basket and a tray.

Handling was easy.

The hand grips were good.

Brakes were easy to operate and very effective.

Folding was easy, though the two sides didn’t go very close together. The Volaris S7 does stand when folded.

Unfolding was easy and it clicks right into place.

The seat and backrest were comfortable.

The basket is nice and large, but the tray is very low, which makes it hard to use.

Evaluation summary:

• Handling: ok

• Brakes:

• operation: good

• effectiveness: very good

• Folding:

• secure when unfolded: yes

• secure when folded: yes

• stands when folded: yes

• operation: good

• Seat: good

Mechanical safety:

• Frame: 5

• Finger traps: 5

• Stability: 5

• Overall: 5

(1 – considered dangerous, 2 – considered potentially dangerous, 3 – some concerns for safe use, 4 – minor criticisms but still considered safe, 5 – no safety concerns)

Volaris S3

The Volaris S3 is an X-folding four-wheeled walking frame.

It has rubberised tyres, straight hand grips and lever brakes and a solid plastic seat with a strap backrest.

You can easily adjust the height of the hand grips. You can also adjust the angle of the hand grips, though the range is not very great.

It has a removable wire basket and a tray.

Handling was easy.

The hand grips were good.

Brakes were very easy to operate and very effective.

Folding was easy. The Volaris S3 does stand when folded and has a velcro-fastening strap to keep the two sides together.

Unfolding was easy and it clicks right into place.

The seat and backrest were comfortable.

The basket is nice and large, but the tray is very low, which makes it hard to use.

Evaluation summary:

• Handling: good

• Brakes:

• operation: very good

• effectiveness: very good

• Folding:

• secure when unfolded: yes

• secure when folded: yes

• stands when folded: yes

• operation: ok

• Seat: good

Mechanical safety:

• Frame: 5

• Finger traps: 4

• Stability: 5

• Overall: 4

(1 – considered dangerous, 2 – considered potentially dangerous, 3 – some concerns for safe use, 4 – minor criticisms but still considered safe, 5 – no safety concerns)

Exert of report produced by Ricability 2009

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How easy is the walker to fold or operate?

It is very useful if the walker can fold so that it does not take up unnecessary space. It is also useful to place in the back of your car or on public transport. The walking aid should help you get out and about or around the home as easily as possible.

How adjustable is the walker to your size?

People are all different shapes and sizes and it is important you can get a walker which will fit your size and height. Some walkers are very adjustable; the handles will adjust to suit your height; the seat will adjust to suit your height to make sure it is not too high or too low when you sit on the seat and ensure you are comfortable and safe.

Does the walker stand when folded?

A walker that does not stand up when folded means that it will need to be picked up off the floor and unfolded. If you are already having difficulties walking then this might make you more prone to falling over when you are trying to pick the walker up and unfold it.

Read the rest of this entry »

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The summer holidays are here. It’s the time when families go traveling, hiking, camping, swimming and simply lazing around under the sun. But what happens to grandma and grandpa when everybody else is out enjoying the summer holidays?

I am sure you are looking forward to spending time with your children while school’s out for the summer. On the other hand, you might be having second thoughts about traveling or going out frequently during the holidays because of an elderly in your home who needs round-the-clock care and supervision. If you are in such a dilemma, you may want to consider placing your elderly loved one in a residential care facility, if only temporarily, for the duration of the summer holidays.

You might be wary about placing your loved one in a residential care facility or a nursing home, since they have a reputation for being a place you do not want to go. However, a residential care facility is a perfectly safe environment for elderly care which will help relieve your worries of who will tend to your loved one.

Here are some things you might want to consider when choosing a nursing home for your loved one.

Consider the Location

Where would you like your loved one to stay? Do you want a nursing home near to your home or near to another relative? If your elderly needs specific medical requirements or regular visits to the doctor, you might want to consider nursing homes within a convenient distance from a hospital.

Personal Requirements

List down all the requirements of your loved one. Take note of important factors such as special diet, medical requirements and other facilities for physical therapy and even entertainment. You might also want a nursing home which has a great nursing staff. A great nursing staff is not only professional, but genuinely caring for the welfare of the elderly as well.

Make a List

Now that you have an idea of what you are looking for in a nursing home, you can begin your search. You can try looking at directories, asking for recommendations from your local health office or even search the internet. Try visiting http://www.nursinghomes.co.uk or http://www.carehome.co.uk and search for nursing homes in your ideal locations.

Make Visits

Contact the nursing homes in your list. Look for the Director of Nursing or the Admissions Coordinator to set up an appointment for a visit. Getting to know the nursing home staff and seeing the services and facilities the home can offer your loved one will surely help you decide on which nursing home will best suit your loved one’s needs.

Placing your loved one in a nursing home that you trust to have quality service and facilities will surely help both you and your loved one. It’s a win-win situation. Your loved one will get the best care possible while you are away, and you can enjoy the summer holidays with your children without having to worry too much.

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A useful guide to ensure that your walking aid is set to the correct height. Also shows how your walking equipment should be used.

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Volaris rollators are noted for their sleek, modern, high quality, functional design which makes this product appealing to a wide range of users at a reasonable cost.

They are all easily adjustable to so that they are comfortable to individual users.

The Volaris Advanced Braking System is distinctive in that the brakes can be applied with minimal effort. Other features include the flexible ‘comfort frame’ which allows the rollator to remain stable on uneven surfaces. The frame flexes enabling the wheels to remain on the ground when going over bumps.

The X-folded design facilitates folding and allows the rollator to stand steady in the folded position. The small space-saving profile make it convenient to store in small rooms and compact for travel and placing in the car.

There are a wide range of accessories available.

Basket

A very popular and appreciated accessory. Can be used for shopping and at home.

Walking stick or crutch holder

Makes the walking stick or crutch easy to find. Consist of two parts. A simple attachment mechanism and a cup lower down to hold the crutch or walking stick in position.

Curb climber

Makes it easier to mount a curb or steps.

Bag

Water resistant bag with carry handles and lid.

Tray

Environmentally friendly tray which stays in place thanks to high friction knobs on the backside of the tray.

Slow down brake

Adjustable brake which increases the resistance against the wheels to slow the rollator down if the user is concerned the rollator will roll too fast. The slow down brakes are mounted on the rear wheels.

Backrest

Increases comfort and safety when sitting on the rollator. Reduces the risk of the user falling over backwards when seated on the rollator.

Oxygen Holder

Holder which makes it possible for the safe transportation of oxygen cylinders. Available for 2.5 litre and 5 litre bottles.

Transport strap

The transport strap holds the rollator in the folded position. Convenient when lifting the rollator in the car.

If you would like to see these new and innovative walkers, please visit us at Naidex from the 28th to 30th of April at the NEC stadium in Birmingham (Stand G160).

Alternatively contact Doability UK Ltd, www.doability.co.uk.

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Doability is pleased to announce that a trading relationship has commenced with Swereco Rehab (Sweden). We will begin supplying the entire range of Swereco products, focusing on the UK and Ireland. You can view some of the paediatric products online with more products to go online in the immediate future. If you would like a copy of the Swereco catalogue, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Swereco Rehab is a leading supplier of high quality rehabilitation equipment in Sweden and in many other countries around the world. Swereco has more than 30 years of experience in aids for handicapped and elderly people. In the beginning Swereco started as a small company which was competitive because it was able to provide fast, competitive personal service than its competitors. Today Swereco is a larger company, with fundamental ambitions and humility to its customers.

Good service and high quality products at good prices have been Swereco’s fundamental principles since the start in 1973. Structure, quality and an environmental consciousness is also something we think is important at Doability. That’s why we are excited about our partnership with Swereco Rehab because of their similar commitment to customer service, quality and the environment. Swereco are certified and fulfills the requirements of the Quality Management System of SS-EN ISO 9001:2000 and the Environmental Management System of SS-EN ISO 14001:2004.

Short delivery time is something we give priority to. Swereco is also able to offer a wide range of high quality products but also offers the ability to adapt products for individual needs.

Please contact us if you have any specific requirements which cannot be met by standard equipment suppliers.

Clive Taylor
Doability UK Ltd.
General Manager

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Those with experience in looking through available mobility products, particularly those searching for inexpensive products, realize that this is never easy. If something goes wrong with the product, it can be quite a hassle to send it back.

Electric comfort beds, reclining chairs, wheelchairs and mobility scooters are among the mobility products that are often purchased cheaply. The products often take a long time to repair when they break down. Therefore, many disability companies only offer high quality products that are more durable and will last longer, even if it means having to offer them at somewhat of a higher price. In the end, however, this can make for a better investment with the reassurance that maintenance costs are low and the product is less likely to breakdown.

Since very few people can afford to buy expensive products, most of the difficulty comes from being unsure which types of mobility products to purchase. It is a tough decision to pick between expensive or cheap equipment. The ideal solution to this problem is to thoroughly investigate the product before you make a purchase. You should find out the average price that a high quality product sells for, and also, what type of service you will be getting for that price.

Over the years, mobility products and equipment have made a great deal of advancements, from being something unavailable at one time to assisting in nearly every aspect of leading a normal, independent life. All accessories have been specifically designed to aid people in manoeuvring around with minimal effort and facilitating tasks from opening a jar of jam to using the bathroom. This is often the best option for those who are unable to afford twenty-four hour care.

It’s best to approach manufacturers when purchasing a product to trial/test the product for a time to allow you to get a better feel for it. All manufacturers should offer this automatically, especially if you are purchasing a wheelchair or mobility scooter, and there normally should be no extra charging for trials.
Before purchasing any mobility equipment, it’s a good idea to ask manufacturers about their long-term policies and services. Be sure to ask the manufacturer where you can buy replacement accessories such as batteries and chargers.

You should also do some research to learn about pricing beforehand to get just to familiarize yourself with the average price of the chosen product. Choosing the most inexpensive mobility products doesn’t always translate to a top quality product, yet conversely neither does spending an exorbitant amount of money.

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The modern marketplace has a lot of different sorts of mobility equipment available to help the disabled and elderly. Time and thought should be invested before you purchase any type of mobility equipment. Some of the factors to consider are flexibility, comfort level, and cost.

Wheelchairs provide excellent mobility both indoors and outside. You can purchase a wheelchair that is either manually operated or motorized. Manual wheelchairs are relatively inexpensive, though they are best used by those who can propel their own wheelchairs. The greatest advantage of motorized wheelchairs is that they do not require human effort, since they use a built-in motor and run on a power supply or a battery. Portable ramps made of steel or aluminium can also be purchased to help navigate steps.

Check the wheelchairs for comfort because misaligned seat or the seating position can bring inconvenience and amplify your pain. Today’s wheelchairs can be customized to meet the needs of a wide variety of physical disabilities.

Disabled people can ascend and descend a staircase using a stair lift. They attach a rail to the stairs, and on the rail is a chair the rider can sit on. This costs less than an in home elevator or a platform lift. Some factors you want to look at in your search for a chair lift are the height and width, and whether they’d fit the person who’s going to use it. Additionally, it will need to be sturdy enough to support the weight of the person who will be using it. It is also wise to check how much power it uses, how flexibly and smoothly it operates, safety tips, and warranties.

Motorized scooters can be customized to meet the individual needs of people with disabilities. The rider will be kept safe with enhanced safety features. People with disabilities can now move around their environment more freely with help from a variety of mobility equipment.

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