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Jul

An Issue on Proper Usage and Quality of Mobility Equipment

ReplySafety for the Elderly and the DisabledJuly 21st, 2009Doability UK

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recently published a study on the correlation of injuries related to walking aids and its proper usage. The study was conducted using ER records from 2001 until 2006. It was found out that that a total of more than 47,000 American senior citizens are sent to emergency rooms each year, with a third of this number requiring hospitalization.

Some findings of the study include:

  • 6 out of 10 accidents associated with walkers and canes occur at home.
  • People 85 years and older are more susceptible to fall-related injuries; the study shows that the chances of accidents involving walkers and canes increase with age.
  • 33% of accidents involving walkers and 28% of accident involving canes required hospitalization.

This is rather alarming. Walking aids and other mobility equipment are created to assist the elderly and the disabled to keep them safe.

“Walking aids are very important in helping many older adults maintain their mobility. However, it′s important to make sure people use these devices safely,”" said Judy Stevens, Ph.D., the study’s lead author. “Walkers are often used by frail and vulnerable older adults; people for whom falls, if they occur, can have very serious health consequences.”

Now that even the walking aids that we rely upon to assist our elderly is questionable, what can we do about it? Are there other underlying issues we need to address to keep our elderly safe? Note that the study involved American senior citizens. From whom do we have to expect action on this matter? Social welfare? The health ministry? Or the manufacturers of mobility equipment?

What can we learn from the study?

From this study we can learn that having walking aids is not enough to assist the elderly. It is also important that they are provided with quality walking aids and are knowledgeable in how to use such aids correctly and safely. It is highly recommended that physical therapists provide counseling to teach the elderly, as well as their caregivers, how to properly use walkers, canes, scooters and other mobility equipment. Doctors and other health care professionals must also take time in ensuring that a walking aid or any other mobility equipment fits properly with the user’s stature.

A concern is raised.

The study was conducted with American seniors as subjects and findings show that the problem stems from incorrect usage of walkers and canes. However, one cannot help but surmise if the problem is also aggravated by the quality of mobility equipment. How can the quality of one brand compare with another? It cannot be denied that equipment with inferior quality contribute to accidents. However, we cannot prove anything without numbers or statistics. The study did not mention anything about the quality of walkers and canes and how it relates to the number of accidents relating to fall, but it remains to be something worth looking into, for the welfare of our elderly.

For a full copy of the study, visit the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

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