Heading Out?
With spring around the corner, many will be looking forward to getting back outdoors. Whether you’re planning to enjoy nature, get out and socialise, or explore a change of scenery, there are a few things to keep in mind when using mobility aids outdoors. We’ve rounded up our top tips for users of wheelchairs, mobility scooters, walking sticks, crutches, powerchairs, and rollators.
1. Be Ready For Anything with Weather Protection
“If you don’t like the weather, just wait a few minutes.” – Mark TwainGetting the most out of your mobility aids and the freedom they can unlock means being able to use them in almost all weather conditions. Our number one tip, no matter what mobility aid you benefit from, is to prepare for the weather. Wet weather protection items such as canopies, ponchos and tiller covers for wheelchairs, powerchairs, and mobility scooters are an excellent option. For users of walking sticks, crutches, or rollators, an umbrella is impractical, so investing in a good water resistant hooded jacket is your most sensible option for keeping warm and dry. Dress for the weather, but be prepared for it to charge in relation to the time of year – this includes ways to keep dry if needed, or even being sure to bring along a pair of sunglasses, especially around Spring/Summer time.
2. Wheelchairs for The Great Outdoors
Wheelchairs are a great mobility aid for getting out and about in spring! They are versatile, sturdy, and there are plenty of options for users looking for transit, active, or self-propelled chairs.
When taking your wheelchair outdoors this time of year, consider:
- Bringing a set of allen keys/allen wrenches to make any necessary on-the-go adjustments and maintenance to your wheelchair.
- Looking into a freewheel or motorised attachment to take some of the strain out of pushing and steering the chair.
- Using wheelchair gloves to keep your hands clean and safe from any dirt the wheels may pick up.
3. Spring into Motion with a Mobility Scooter
Mobility Scooters are among our most popular products, delivering independence and freedom on four wheels. They require minimum physical output for most to use, and a level of adaptability to different environments.
A little bit of pre-planning can make your excursion so much easier and more enjoyable. If you’re heading outdoors on a mobility scooter, be sure you:
- Use your horn to make people aware of your presence if needed, and headlights (if you have them) to illuminate the way in low light conditions.
- Make sure your battery is fully charged, and check beforehand if the place you’re going to has facilities to charge mobility aids.
- Don’t be afraid of adding extra storage to your scooter, such as a bag for your essentials or even a cup holder to remind you to keep hydrated.
4. Stay Active with Walking Sticks
Tried-and-true, walking sticks have been helping people get around for as long as people have had places to get to. Whatever the weather brings this spring, when using your walking stick outdoors, please consider the following:
- Investing in a collapsible/folding walking stick might be a good choice for you. They are more easily portable for all types of transport and can be tucked away at a moment’s notice if not needed.
- The correct foot, ferrule, or end to your stick can be a lifesaver. Be sure to get the right one to suit where you’re going and the weather.
- If you have a weaker side/leg, keep the stick on that side when climbing the stairs, so you are using your strong side to pull yourself with the handrail.
5. Use Crutches to Keep Moving
Regardless of if you use one crutch or two, these handy tips will make taking your crutches out easier and safer, allowing you to enjoy your time outside to the fullest:
- Get shoes with a good grip for extra stability in all weathers, and suit your footwear to the conditions (e.g. boots for a nature walk).
- Choose the right bag. A backpack can help with balance, but do you need your items to be easily accessible? Could a waist bag work? Figure out your best fit.
- Not using your crutches at the moment? Avoid the hassle of your crutches constantly falling over when propped against a wall by using a cane holder gadget or using the jacket trick demonstrated below by Modern Mobility customer Carol:
- Place a jacket or backpack over the back of your chair.
- Slide your walking stick/crutch in the space between the jacket and chair backrest.
- Be aware that this works best with sturdy jackets, or backpacks with shorter straps.
“Every crutch user knows the difficulty of finding someplace to rest your crutch when out at a café or restaurant. I find this trick has saved me from having to lay my crutch on the floor, causing a tripping hazard, or having to try and balance my crutch against a wall or table, where it always inevitably falls over and clatters to the ground.”
– Carol, Modern Mobility customer and full-time crutch user
6. Plan Your Great Escape with a Powerchair
Powerchairs are a great way of getting almost anywhere. Reliable, customisable, and a great option for people with a range of different disabilities, powerchairs are a solid choice for an all-round mobility solution.
That being said, there are still some things to keep in mind before using your powerchair outdoors:
- Check what surfaces your powerchair works best on before you head out. This will be determined in most cases by the type of tyres on the chair.
- Always drive at speeds that are suited to the terrain.
- Avoid overloading the chair with baggage, as the extra weight can drain battery and even damage motor in long run.
7. A Rollator for Every Step of Your Adventure
Walking aids such as rollators have been steadily gaining traction over the past few years. Most are foldable for each transportation, provide steady support while walking, and feature both a seat and storage. They are also not reliant on power to work, making range anxiety a non-issue.
Before you take your rollator out for a spin this spring, let our top tips help you make the most of using your mobility aid outdoors:
- Line the storage part of your rollator with a reusable shopping bag, that way the content can be easily extracted if the rollator needs to be folded up (e.g. for transportation in a car).
- Arguably the biggest benefit of a rollator is the constant availability of a seat. Use the device to take regular breaks to conserve energy and manage pain levels.
- Make sure the breaks of the rollator are working as they should, especially if you’re going anywhere that might be uneven, slippery, or have sloped surfaces.
Bonus Travel Tips
Before heading outside with your mobility aid, it might be a good idea to make sure you also:
- Always have alternate ways of getting around prepared, such as carrying your disabled person’s bus pass or railcard when out and about.
- Have a radar key on hand to allow you to access disabled public restrooms.
- Make your disabled parking ‘blue badge’ easy to keep track of with a patterned blue badge cover.
- Have any necessary medications on hand, just in case.
All Your Mobility Needs
Modern Mobility is here to help with all of your mobility needs. From big items to small living aids, stairlifts and furniture to servicing and repairs; we can help. Let our friendly experts answer any of your questions, book you in for a free service, or help you find out more about finance, Motability, or disability VAT exemption.
