Among the many challenges caregivers encounter­- from daily grooming regimes to health and safety strategies- the issue of moving people who can’t safely move themselves is a major concern for all involved, and requires the use and knowledge of proper techniques and equipment, as well as trust.

Thankfully, modern technology has helped to temper the situation for both the loved one, as well as the caregiver, by offering many different options for mobility. Some of these “modern miracles” even allow for independent mobility, giving a bit of freedom back to everyone, along with giving a much needed boost of self-esteem.  

However, new challenges may arise from such modern conveniences, which can send the caregiver’s head spinning with questions. It is extremely important to become informed and educated about what equipment is available, the cost of such equipment, or the changes, improvements, and additions that may be needed to your living environment to accommodate particular types of equipment. While it may all seem quite overwhelming, realize that you are taking steps to greatly improve the situation for your loved one, enabling them, with the proper equipment, to continue with the things in life which they enjoy most, like gardening, sports, even returning to work and supporting themselves. Also, remember that the right equipment can make a huge difference in comfort and accessibility.

Mobility equipment can be used either as a permanent means of getting around, or, can be used in the interim, as a way to re-establish a particular skill while helping to further develop other mobility skills, eventually leading to partial or complete recovery of mobility.

There are so many products and accessories on the market, but you must make sure to “match” the equipment to the disability. While mobility equipment is generally the same for most types of disabilities, consider the subtle yet obvious differences which exist with equipment for children and equipment for adults.

Here are just a few of the different devices available to aid in mobility: 

• Boards

  • lying (prone or side)

  • standing (prone)

• Frames

  • kneeling

  • standing (vertical or wheeled)

• Walkers

  • trainer

  • swivel

  • frames (two, three, or four wheels)

• Crutches

  • axilla (under the arm)

  • elbow

• Walking Sticks

  • wooden or metal

  • crooked-neck handles

  • right-angled handles

  • folding

  • stick seats

• Tripods and Quadrupods

  • aluminum

  • steel

  • elbow cuff (optional)

• Household Carts/Trolleys w/ Wheels

  • wooden or metal

  • shelves (one or two)

  • shopping

• Wheelchairs

  • steel

  • aluminum

  • rigid frame

  • standard, folding frame

  • compact, folding frame

  • self-propelled (standard)

  • electric

  • lever-propelled ( right or left side placement)

  • low-seat

  • for use w/ only one arm

  • foot steering

  • attendant propelled

  • for use for those w/ lower limb amputation

  • w/ stand-up mechanism

  • w/ tilt-in-space seat unit

  • w/ stair climbing facility

  • reclining backrest

  • elevating seat

  • w/ a commode seat

  • outdoor-use only

  • indoor-use only

  • indoor/outdoor 

  • made-to-measure

  • use in cars (replaces driver’s seat)

  • class 2 or 3 (for covering long distances)

• Scooters

  • three or four wheels

  • speed settings

• Lifts

  • stairlifts (straight or curved)

  • seated stairlifts

  • standing stairlifts

  • perching stairlifts

  • stairlift w/ wheelchair platform

  • mobile/portable stairlifts

  • vertical lifts w/ or w/o a shaft

  • through-floor lifts

  • short-rise

  • for use w/ automobiles

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