Mobility Aids: Is A Motorized Scooter or Other Mobility Aid Right For You?

We see a lot of ads for motorized scooters and other mobility devices designed to promote independent living.  I am thrilled that people are now able to get around independently, and studies show that independence definitely improves quality of life.  Still, I worry that people using mobility devices might become so dependent on them that they fail to keep up with a regular exercise program.  Exercise is the magic potion that strengthens muscles and fine tunes balance and flexibility.

An article by Dorothy Foltz-Gray in the current Arthritis Today (November/December 2010) and an article in USA Today: Farmingdale: (October 2010) examine the upside and the downside of mobility devices.   Studies show that using mobility aids such as scooters improve quality of life, but they also show that they are associated with a decline in health.  It is not that scooters or other mobility aids are dangerous; it is the fact that people who use them become less physically active. 

Obesity heightens the risk of becoming disabled and affects how a person will compensate for that disability.  Studies show that obese older adults are more likely to use walkers, canes, and other devices, and at an earlier age.  Reliance on assistive devices can affect everyday life in many ways, from how you bathe, dress, or even how you move.

One-third of adults over 65 use at least one device (shower seats, tub stools, grab bars, raised toilet seats, walkers, canes, scooters).  Being obese and disabled fuels a vicious cycle.  When you are functionally limited, physical activity is restricted and this means you burn fewer calories and gain even more weight.

When used improperly the supposed solution to a mobility problem can actually make the problem worse.  It is important to have a health care professional evaluate, prescribe, and instruct about the pros and cons of using an assistive device.  This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t use your power chair or the Cadillac of Wheeled Walkers, but it does mean that it is important to get regular exercise and eat a healthier diet so that you don’t fall victim to poor health habits.

Comments

[neil martin]

Mobility plays a vital part in regaining independence for people with mobility issues.

[@mobilityaids]

I have personal experience with mobility aids i got injured last year. mobility scooter made me self dependent. really helpful devices buddy....