Walking is an important function your body needs to perform for completing day-to-day tasks. If your ability to walk is limited, you might wish to consider using walking aids to regain your mobility and continue to enjoy the lifestyle you desire.
Walking aids are typically used for two purposes:
1. As part of a rehabilitation programme if you are recovering from an injury or operation
2. As a long-term aid to mobility if you are experiencing ongoing difficulty with walking
With many products and variations available on the market, our goal is to guide you through the options to find the most suitable walking aid for you and your needs.
Popular walking aids include walking frames (more commonly known as Zimmer frames), walkers, rollators, crutches, and walking sticks.
Thinking of buying a walking aid?
View our Top Tips:
1. Test the product(s) in person
This really is the best way to choose an aid. The product should be tailormade for your height, weight, and purpose of use.
2. Consider the points of contact with the floor
Four-wheeled walkers will provide more stability and support compared to three-wheeler options or a walking stick.
3. Consider what you need to carry with you
Some walkers and rollators have built-in seats or baskets. You can also purchase additional accessories including walking stick holders or clip-on bags to help carry essentials around.
"New stairlift installed today by Scott the young man was polite and very efficient he explained fully how to use new lift I thank all staff at snowdrop Olivia and Suzanne who I spoke to on the phone were very reassuring and helpful "
-Wyn Marshall
"The crutches I have been given are so much more comfortable than the ones provided by the NHS. By having the cushion ferrells I no longer have shoulder or back pain. The moulded soft handles are so much better for my hands as I have OA in them also. I have also been informed that I walk better with them. "
-Maggie West, Haverfordwest
"I have found the sticks to cushion the walk on tarmac, they are comfortable to hold and, because they have straps I can hang them from my wrists to enable me to look at things whilst out shopping. My posture is more even and my shoulders ache less. My step total for last week was improved - 33,219, we were in London and walked a lot - the new sticks definitely helped"
-Cath Morgan, Haverfordwest
"I bought my rollator from Snowdrop years ago and had great service choosing the best model for me, and the product is still doing well around 4 years on. When my electric wheelchair broke (due to a cable getting caught and damaged), the engineer, Ben, came to my home and repaired it within an hour, and the charge was very reasonable. I could not recommend them enough."
-Aimee Grant