Mobility Aids

As a person ages, getting around can be a challenge.  Whether it’s a trip to the park or simply maneuvering from room to room, mobility aids offer the ability to keep up with life!

Wheelchairs

A wheelchair can help you regain mobility lost due to an injury or chronic health condition. Depending on the size and ability of the user, a lightweight wheelchair or heavy duty wheelchair might be for daily use or as an aid when you need to go a distance farther or longer than you can comfortably walk or stand. Traditional self-propelled wheelchairs have two large rear wheels and a pair of smaller wheels in the front. Advances in design and materials have made different wheelchair models available to suit different needs and body types. Lightweight wheelchairs are easier to maneuver as well as being easier to take on trips, when the wheelchair will be folded and stowed in a car trunk. Wheelchairs of all types typically support up to 250 pounds of body weight. For those with a higher weight, heavy duty wheelchairs, also called bariatric wheelchairs, provide a wider seat for comfort and stronger frame for durability and support.

Caregivers will find pushing and stowing a transport wheelchair the easiest to use; with its four small wheels and very light weight—some are ultra lightweight—these are used to transport a patient from home to a doctor visit, for instance. (Because a transport wheelchair has only small wheels, it typically can’t be propelled by the user, unless he or she can move it forward with their feet).

Options to look for include leg rests that can be elevated, detached or swung away as needed and armrests can be detached and/or flipped back or are shorter in length, such as “desk length,” to enable the wheelchair to maneuver closer to a desk or table. Some wheelchair accessories may come with your wheelchair or be available for purchase separately. These include “anti-tips,” good for the active user to minimize the risk of falling or tipping over. A seat belt may be used to prevent you from sliding down or out of a chair. Brake extensions are recommended for ease of use for those with arthritis or similar conditions. Positioning devices such as cushions, laterals, lap trays, back supports and many other similar devices can appropriately position a patient in a chair. Comfort accessories include everything from a lap robe to sheepskin arm covers, from a memory cushion to a clip-on light or cup holder.

Wheelchairs can be rented at Guardian Home Care Services on a short term basis . . . for more information click on http://guardianhomecareservices.com/products/rentals

Scooters

Scooters are a great choice for indoor use because of their lightweight, compact frames and their ability to maneuver in tighter spaces.  Scooters typically disassemble into 3 or 4 easy-to-manage pieces, allowing them to be easily transported in the trunk of most vehicles and making them the ideal choice for the on-the-go lifestyle.  Scooters provide great outdoor functionality while a tighter turning radius still allows them to navigate indoors.  Longer battery life, higher top speeds and larger tires will give you the added edge to maneuver safely outdoors over relatively smooth terrain.  Heavy duty scooters are made for individuals who require a weight capacity of 350 lbs or more.  Typically they have well built suspensions, reinforced frames, anti-tips, a wider array of custom seat widths, and high amp controllers for more power.

Scooters can be rented at Guardian Home Care Services on a short term basis . . . for more information click on http://guardianhomecareservices.com/products/rentals

Power Chairs

An electric powered wheelchair for long-term use is a high-tech piece of  equipment with a host of advanced features to vastly improve mobility.  An electric wheelchair usually has four to six wheels and is steered by a  programmable joystick. Electric powered wheelchairs are highly maneuverable and  can be used both indoors and on even terrain outside.  An electric wheelchair offers the widest array of seat movement options of  any personal mobility vehicle. Many wheelchairs offer motorized stand, tilt, and  recline functions which make them more comfortable to use for long periods of  time. They also offer more support for people who have posture issues.  Powered wheelchairs are very heavy, which makes them durable and stabile. Powered wheelchairs generally do not fold, which means they cannot  be easily transported in a standard car.

Walkers

People need walkers for a variety of reasons. Shortness of breath, arthritic pain, inability to walk and carry objects at the same time, or fear of falling are only a few.   A walker is like any other tool we purchase throughout our lifetime: whether a carpentry tool, kitchen tool, gardening tool, athletic equipment … all purchased according to personal priorities, tasks to be completed, lifestyles, and budgets.  At Guardian Home Care Services, we have a large selection of colors and sizes.

Rollators

A rollator is walker with 4 wheels, hand brakes, and a seat.   Rollators are light weight and come in many colors!  You can also get accessories such as trays, baskets, and carry pouches.

Canes

A cane is a stick used to give you support and balance when walking. Most canes are made of metal, wood, or plastic.  You may need to use a cane if you are weak on one side of your body or if you have balance problems. The cane may decrease your pain when walking because it takes weight off your leg and joints and also may help you feel less tired.    A cane can be made longer or shorter to fit your height and the ends usually have nonskid rubber tips to prevent them from slipping.  We have a HUGE selection of canes in stock–ranging from very fancy, carved canes to colorful and fun!

Knee Walkers

The benefits of using a knee walker are numerous, unlike using traditional methods (crutches or wheelchairs).   Most people try crutches and soon realize how difficult they are to use and how stressful using them can be on their body, in particular their shoulders, back and underarms.  Knee Walkers are specifically design to keep your lower leg non weight bearing and are easy to use, and require minimal upper body strength to operate.  They also keep your lower leg off the ground and in the proper 90 degree angle; no need to worry your lower leg will bear weight.  Knee Walkers help you to keep your balance, not work against you like crutches.  Often times there is an increased speed in recovery time, as your injured side never touches the ground, unlike crutches where the user will often lack the strength to hold their foot and body up and will often put their injured foot down.

Knee walkers can be rented at Guardian Home Care Services on a short term basis . . . for more information click on http://guardianhomecareservices.com/products/rentals

Repairs and Service

Guardian Home Care Services has multiple service technicians and mobility specialists who offer full service maintenance and repairs on walkers, rollators, scooters, power chairs, and wheelchairs.