Assessment is an important first step in providing a walking aid.
Through an assessment you will gather information about the person’s health, activity and ability, and where they will use the walking aid.
This information will help you and the person select the best walking aid for them.
If the person already has a walking aid, the assessment is a good way to check whether this walking aid is meeting their needs or not. The assessment will help you to make decisions about adjusting, repairing or replacing their walking aid.
Information from the assessment will also help you to plan:
- Where and how the person will use their walking aid
- What training the person needs
- Follow up
- Referral/s to other services.
Whenever you see this icon, it means that the person may need referral.
Find a quiet, private space to sit with the person. Explain to the person that the questions you are going to ask will help with selection of the best walking aid for them.
Involve the person. It is important to involve the person and understand from them what they need to be able to do with the walking aid.
Also involve family members and/or carers when appropriate.
Question
What can you do to involve the person and their family during the assessment?
- Use simple language and words that the person and their family can understand easily
- Make sure you have time to ask the questions on the assessment form, and leave enough time to listen and answer all the person’s questions
- Ask the person what their lifestyle is, and what they would like to be able to do with their walking aid. Make sure you make any decision together
- At the end of the assessment, make sure the person has understood all the information and next steps.
The following topics will explain more about the assessment questions and how answers to these questions can guide the selection of the right walking aid.
Discussion
Walking aid assessments can happen in many different locations. For example, in a clinic, in a person’s own home, or in a community space.
Where are you most likely to do a walking aid assessment?
TAP Walking aids assessment form
The TAP Walking aids assessment form is a simple tool that can be used as a guide during assessment.
The assessment form includes questions to ask the person. It also has some space to write notes and make a plan for the person.
If you haven’t already, download the assessment form and print a copy.
If you are unable to download the form, don’t worry. Each of the questions on the form are clearly shown as you go through this section of the module.
Discussion
In your service, do you already use, or have an assessment form to use for a walking aid assessment?
If you do, after completing this module you may like to compare your form with this form.
Does the assessment form at your service have more or less questions?