Walking aids

My ‘step’ mantra was up with the good and down with the bad. It really helps (if it’s done the right way round.)
Yes, stick shoukd be the opposite side to the injury.

kircubbin2000

Which hand do you use for the stick? I was told if your right leg is bad use the left hand.Is this right?

Yes, the walking aid goes in the opposite hand, unless two walking aids are being used.

MissAdventure

I'm only 59 though!
A mere slip of a girl...

I was a lot younger than that when I sustained the brain injury. If you need a walking aid age doesn’t matter! Go for it.

MissAdventure

I think I need more than a stick, a rollator type of thing, perhaps?
When I worked in care homes the residents often called them their bikes. [smiles]

I have to rest, (a lot!) so I'm not sure a stick would be man enough for me to lean heavily on.

I do feel quite miserable about the idea, I have to say, as daft as it is.

Although I can use my flexifoot to lean back on and rest ( I wedge it under my hefty bum!) , it is not designed as a seat. I am looking at getting a rollator after having a go on my friends this morning. It was very substantial, had a seat and brakes and could fold up into the boot of a car. I am overweight and sometimes need two sticks as both my knees are worn so this rollator took my weight as I leant on it with both hands. I think my friend said hers cost £60.

Luckygirl3

I have a flexifoot stick - they are excellent. They have a bendy rubber ferrule which follows the lie of the land, so that whether you are going up or down hill or on the flat, the base of the stick is always firmly on the ground. A bit like suspension on a car. They are also shock-absorbing so a more comfortable walk.
flexyfoot.com/pages/walking-sticks

I also have a rollator and it is very useful, but I cannot get it into the car myself.

I have a flexifoot as well, love it ( have two actually). When I needed to use a walking stick I knew I would have to get a sturdy one and did not want one looking like a medical aid. I wanted something colourful and trendy!

kircubbin2000

Which hand do you use for the stick? I was told if your right leg is bad use the left hand.Is this right?

Yes that is correct. The height of the stick is also important, there are useful videos on You Tube that show you how to adjust the stick to the position your shoulders should be in. When I had very bad sciatica in my right leg I found information on how to go up and down stairs with a stick useful. You should call your good leg ‘heaven’ and your bad leg ‘hell’. By remembering ‘up to heaven’ and ‘down to hell’ helped me to put my good leg first when climbing stairs and my bad leg first when descending stairs.

Yes, definitely ask for an assessment - my mother-in-law's rollator was provided for her by the NHS..
Good luck.

Easier said than done I know, but before you go spending money ring your surgery and try and arrange a home visit from a Physio/OT.

I don't know what your condition is but you might do more harm than good by using an inappropriate aid; plus I see people out and about using sticks and rollators incorrectly, usually at the wrong height. And many walk with elbows out straight, rollator too far ahead, and neck bent.

Any equipment won't cost you anything and he/she can also have a look at your bathroom & kitchen to see if there is anything else you need.

My mother-in-law has a (quite smart) rollator. It's the three-wheeled sort and is "tidy" to look at and not too clumpy. She was very hostile to it when given it by the hospital on discharge after a TIA and unceremoniously "dumped" it in the far corner of her garage. That was 18 months ago but eventually, about 9 months later, after a difficult and windy trip to buy a newspaper, she "tested it out" and found it to be really excellent!

These days it's like a trusty friend for walks in the park, trips out, local shopping etc. She still manages well with her stick round the house and garden but now can roam a lot further.
I'd say, go for it!

MissAdventure

I'm only 59 though!
A mere slip of a girl...

Oh but you are!
The Aussie poster nanna8 calls me ‘young Fanny’ and I love it!
(I’m 50)

My Mum in law used to ask if she could take out my youngest child in his pushchair. It took me ages to figure out that she needed the pushchair to get to the shops. We eventually persuaded her to admit she needed a walking aid, and she graduated to a tri-walker around the same time as youngest child stopped needing a pushchair.

what about one of those sturdy shopping trolleys, is it a sholley ?
the handle can be angled to suit, and it just looks like you've got a lot of shopping to do.
also useful for all the bits and pieces needed when going out.
hope you find something suitable MissA.
good luck.

I now have a stick,sometimes a second would help when OA in hips is really bad.
My brother has a small mobility scooter,he could give me,which wouls help on the times when I need to get to the shops and cant manage it.
I may have another 3 years before any treatment due to waiting list.
I never saw it coming have always been so active

I'm only 59 though!
A mere slip of a girl...

Trouble is however old we are we think of ourselves as we are were. 40 years ago!
I never understand why people are reluctant to get hearing aids When they clearly need them yet they are happy to wear glasses.

I never understand people that will not use aids, I know of several who need hearing aids, walking sticks, or walkers stating that it would make them look old, the aids do not make them look old it is the fact they are in their 80s that they look old.

silverlining48

Have you been in touch with the community occupational health service? They used to and assume still assess homes for equipment aids etc both indoors and out and you would not have to buy them yourself. Think you can self refer.

I second this. I know from your other posts that money is tight and you shouldn’t have to pay for things you need. A friend has a tri walker provided by local services. When it broke they supplied a replacement no problem.

My daughter bought me one of those 3 wheelers with shopping bag.
It gives me confidence but I hate it. Don't want to give in to old age.

You'll be dancing around like a spring chicken by the time you're all "done".

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202208/medium-963243-front-walker-left.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202208/medium-597665-lets-go-out.jfif

As a result of an accident I have needed a walker since I was in my 40s and I have tried all sorts and styles,

I find that I do best with one that has a comfy seat to sit on, it fairly lightweight, has big enough wheels to roll well on uneven ground and one that folds up.

My absolute no. 1 favourite is the Trionic Walker - I actually have 2 - a 12 inch for every day and a 14 inch for rocky or forest walks. It is a bit bigger than some but the seat is comfy and it is very stable given that I have nerve damage
www.trionicwalker.co.uk/

If you do not need so much support then I really recommend the Trustcare "Let's go out" rollator which is really lightweight and folds easily. I had one of these when I was still able to go to work
www.amazon.co.uk/Modern-Foldable-Lets-Rollator-Wheeled/dp/B07546WSM3/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1FMN0WSRPUEDL&keywords=lets%2Bgo%2Bout%2Brollator&sprefix=rollator%2Blet%2Caps%2C133&th=1&tag=gransnetforum-21&qid=1659364241&sr=8-4

True, forgot about that.

Thank you.
You can use your walker when you have you toe fused, perhaps? Ouch!!

I have a basic grey metal walker, wheels on the front, ( but none on the back) £5 in a charity shop. You will know what i mean.
It was useful initially, then later when getting in and out of shower as I didn't feel safe, an extra bonus it served as somewhere to hang my clothes and towel. Only stopped using it recently. Its all in the loft ready fir any new knees or hip required in the fullness of time. I hope you find something that helps.

That folds up nice and small, fanny.
I would rather it cost less, though.

I still use a bed aid large under mattress handle affair which is helpful fir pulling myself up. I don’t really need it now, so will return, but OT is well worth contacting,