Selecting the right walking aid
After the assessment, use the information gathered to help choose the walking aid that is most likely to meet the person’s needs. This should be a discussion with the person, to make sure you have understood their needs correctly and that their preferences are heard.
At this stage you also need to consider what size of walking aid will be needed. There is more information about this in step two (fitting).
In this topic you will have a chance to practise using assessment information to choose the most appropriate walking aid.
Kazi
Help Adira choose a walking aid
Adira is a young-middle age woman who has had a broken leg (fracture). She is wearing a cast and cannot put weight on her leg until the bone heals. She has good upper body strength and balance.
Ni misaada gani ya kutembea unadhani ingemfaa Adira?
Tip – click on the walking aid your think would best suit Adira to view feedback
Sahihi
magongo ni chaguo nzuri kwa Adira kwa sababu:
- Adira ina nguvu nzuri ya mwili na usawa
- magongo Yanaweza kutumika kwa usalama wakati uzito unaobeba mguu mmoja
- Crutches are good for short term use as they are less costly than walking frames and rollators
Uwezekano
Magongo aina ya Axilla yangefaa kwa Adira kwani Yanaweza kutumika wakati uzito unaobeba mguu mmoja.
Hata hivyo, kwa kuwa Adira ana nguvu na usawa mzuri angeweza kutumia magongo.
magongo ni mepesi, na rahisi zaidi.
Magongo ni mazuri kwa matumizi ya Muda mfupi kwani haYana gharama kubwa kuliko fremu za kutembea na rolata.
Sio sahihi
Adira haihitaji Msaada wa ziada wa fremu ya kutembelea.
magongo ni chaguo bora kwa Adira. Bofya kwenye magongo ili kuona kwa nini.
Sio sahihi
rolata haiwezi kutumika kubeba uzito kwa mguu mMoja tu.
magongo ni chaguo bora kwa Adira. Bofya kwenye magongo ili kuona kwa nini.
Sio sahihi
Posterior walkers are more appropriate for children.
magongo ni chaguo bora kwa Adira. Bofya kwenye magongo ili kuona kwa nini.
Sio sahihi
fimbo ya kuteWakati waa haiwezi kutumika kubeba uzito kwa mguu mMoja tu.
magongo ni chaguo bora kwa Adira. Bofya kwenye magongo ili kuona kwa nini.
Kazi
Help Hugo choose a walking aid
Hugo is a middle age man who has had knee surgery. He cannot put all of the weight through this leg until his knee heals. This is likely to be 6-8 weeks. Hugo was not very active before surgery and does not have a lot of upper body strength. Hugo needs to be able to move around outdoors where the ground is uneven.
Tip – click on the walking aid your think would best suit Hugo to view feedback
Sio sahihi
Elbow crutches will not provide the support and stability that Hugo needs. They will also need more upper body strength to use.
Axilla crutches would be a better option for Hugo. Click on axilla crutches to see why.
Sahihi
If Hugo can safely use axilla crutches these are likely to be a good choice because:
- Axilla crutches are easier to use on uneven ground
- Axilla crutches will offer Hugo more support and stability than elbow crutches
- Crutches are also good for short term use as they are less costly than walking frames and rollators
Uwezekano
A walking frame is a possibility for Hugo but is not be the best option as it would be more difficult to use over uneven ground.
Axilla crutches would be a better option for Hugo. Click on axilla crutches to see why.
Sio sahihi
Hugo is unlikely to need the extra support from a rollator, and this would be difficult to use over uneven ground.
Axilla crutches would be a better option for Hugo. Click on axilla crutches to see why
Sio sahihi
Posterior walkers are more appropriate for children.
Axilla crutches would be a better option for Hugo. Click on axilla crutches to see why.
Sio sahihi
A walking stick would not provide enough support for Hugo.
Axilla crutches would be a better option for Hugo. Click on axilla crutches to see why.
Kazi
Help Ravi choose a walking aid
Ravi is an elderly man who has diabetes. He has had an above knee amputation caused by an infected foot ulcer. His trunk is weak and his balance is poor. Ravi does not have a prosthetic leg, and has used a wheelchair since his amputation. He wants to be able to move around inside his house with a walking aid.
Tip – click on the walking aid your think would best suit Ravi to view feedback
Sio sahihi
Forearm crutches will not provide enough balance support for Ravi.
Hana nguvu za kutosha ili aweze kutumia magongo.
A walking frame would be a better option for Ravi. Click on walking frame to see why.
Sio sahihi
Axilla crutches will not provide enough balance support for Ravi.
A walking frame would be a better option for Ravi. Click on walking frame to see why.
Sahihi
A walking frame is a good choice for Ravi because:
- It is the most supportive walking aid. It will provide Ravi with support to walk short distances in his home
- A walking frame can be used for weight bearing on one leg only
Sio sahihi
A rollator cannot be used for weight bearing on one leg.
A walking frame would be a better option for Ravi. Click on walking frame to see why.
Sio sahihi
Posterior walkers are more appropriate for children.
A walking frame would be a better option for Ravi. Click on walking frame to see why.
Sio sahihi
A walking stick cannot be used for weight bearing on one leg.
A walking frame would be a better option for Ravi. Click on walking frame to see why.
Kazi
Help Sofia choose a walking aid
Sofia is 68 years old, and recently has had a few falls in her home. She has poor balance, and can only walk short distances without assistance. She wants to be able to continue moving around her home and local community. However, she and her family are worried that she may fall again. Sofia lives in an area where there are good footpaths.
Tip – click on the walking aid your think would best suit Sofia to view feedback
Sio sahihi
Magongo hayampi Sofia Msaada kutosha ili aweze kutembea bila kutetereka.
rolata itakuwa chaguo bora kwa Sofia. Bofya kwenye rolata ili uone kwa nini.
Sio sahihi
Magongo aina ya Axilla hayatampa Sofia Msaada wa usawa ambao anahitaji. Magongo aina ya Axilla pia hutumiwa kwa Muda mfupi. Sofia inahitaji Msaada wa kuteWakati waa kwa matumizi ya Muda mrefu.
rolata itakuwa chaguo bora kwa Sofia. Bofya kwenye rolata ili uone kwa nini.
Uwezekano
Sura ya kutembea ni chaguo kwa Sofia kwa sababu itampa Msaada na kupunguza hatari yake ya kuanguka.
However, a rollator should also be considered. Click on rollator to see why.
Sahihi
rolata inaweza kuwa chaguo nzuri kwa Sofia kwa sababu:
- Ingempa Msaada mzuri na kumruhusu kutembea kwa kawaida zaidi kuliko fremu ya kutembelea
- Ingefaa kutumia kwenye njia za miguu katika jamii yake
- rolata mwenye kiti pia atakuwa mzuri ikiwa atahitaji kupumzika
Before providing a rollator, check that Sofia can easily manage the brakes and maintain control and that it is suitable for her home.
Sio sahihi
Posterior walkers are more appropriate for children.
rolata itakuwa chaguo bora kwa Sofia. Bofya kwenye rolata ili uone kwa nini.
Sio sahihi
Sofia anaweza kuhitaji Msaada zaidi kuliko fimbo ya kuteWakati waa inaweza kutoa, kwa sababu usawa wake ni duni.
rolata itakuwa chaguo bora kwa Sofia. Bofya kwenye rolata ili uone kwa nini.
Kazi
Help Abe and his family select a walking aid
Abe is six years old and has cerebral palsy. He wants a walking aid to use at school, so that he can go outside and play with his friends. He has weak legs and needs help with his balance and to stand upright. He is able to learn new things quickly, and there is an assistant at the school that could help Abe practise using a new walking aid.
Tip – click on the walking aid your think would best suit Abe to view feedback
Sio sahihi
Forearm crutches would not help Abe to stand upright as much as a posterior walker would and Abe currently needs more support and stability from a walking aid.
Forearm crutches might be a good future option for Abe if he develops more balance, strength and coordination.
A posterior walker is a better option for Abe. Click on posterior walker to see why.
Sio sahihi
Axilla crutches are better for short term use and Abe needs something for longer term use.
Abe is also likely to find it difficult to stand upright enough to use axilla crutches safely.
A posterior walker is a better option for Abe. Click on posterior walker to see why.
Sio sahihi
A standard walking frame would be difficult for Abe to manage as he would need to lift it and move it forwards to take each step.
A posterior walker is a better option for Abe. Click on posterior walker to see why.
Uwezekano
A posterior walker would be a better option for Abe, however, if there is no posterior walker available, a child size rollator may be suitable.
Abe would need training and practise to learn how to use a walker properly.
Click on posterior walker to see why (if available) a posterior walker is the better option.
Sahihi
Posterior walkers are appropriate for children if they are able to walk using two legs and are able to hold onto the walker.
A posterior walker is a good option for Abe because:
- It will help him to maintain his posture
- It will assist him to learn a good walking pattern
Abe will need training and practise to learn how to use it properly.
Sio sahihi
A walking stick would not provide enough support for Abe.
A posterior walker is a better option for Abe. Click on posterior walker to see why.
Kazi
Help Nguyen select a walking aid
Nguyen is an elderly woman who is very active in her community. She has recently tripped a few times when walking over uneven ground, and is worried she may fall. She is wondering if a walking aid may help her feel safer. She has good upper body strength and can walk without assistance.
Tip – click on the walking aid your think would best suit Nguyen to view feedback
Sio sahihi
Nguyen does not need elbow crutches to move around.
fimbo ya kuteWakati waa ni chaguo bora kwa Nguyen. Bofya kwenye fimbo ya kuteWakati waa ili kuona kwa nini.
Sio sahihi
Nguyen hahitaji magongo ili aweze kusogea kutoka sehemu moja kwenda sehemu nyingine.
Axilla crutches are also better for short term use and Nguyen needs a walking aid for longer term use.
fimbo ya kuteWakati waa ni chaguo bora kwa Nguyen. Bofya kwenye fimbo ya kuteWakati waa ili kuona kwa nini.
Sio sahihi
Nguyen hahitaji Msaada wa ziada wa sura ya kutembea.
fimbo ya kuteWakati waa ni chaguo bora kwa Nguyen. Bofya kwenye fimbo ya kuteWakati waa ili kuona kwa nini.
Sio sahihi
Nguyen does need the extra support of a rollator, and it is not suitable for all environments.
fimbo ya kuteWakati waa ni chaguo bora kwa Nguyen. Bofya kwenye fimbo ya kuteWakati waa ili kuona kwa nini.
Sio sahihi
Posterior walkers are more appropriate for children.
fimbo ya kuteWakati waa ni chaguo bora kwa Nguyen. Bofya kwenye fimbo ya kuteWakati waa ili kuona kwa nini.
Sahihi
Hii ndio chaguo bora zaidi kujaribu kwa Nguyen kwa sababu:
- Ana nguvu nzuri ya juu ya mwili
- Anahitaji Msaada mdogo tu
- fimbo ya kuteWakati waa itamwezesha kutembea katika mazingira mengi karibu na jamii yake
- A walking stick allows her to have a free hand