A Guide to Mobility Aids for Walking
A Guide to Mobility Aids for Walking
Mobility walking aids are designed to enhance user's independence around the home and out and about.
There is an extensive range of mobility aids available on the market, including walking aids such as rollators, walking frames, and walking sticks; daily living aids such as perching stools and over‑bed tables; and bathroom and toilet aids including toilet frames and shower stools.
This guide focuses specifically on mobility aids for walking, designed to support people who struggle to walk for long periods but want to stay active, confident, and independent. We will walk you through what mobility aids are, the key features to look for, and the benefits of using mobility aids to improve daily mobility and comfort.
What To Consider
There is an extensive range of mobility aids, from those that offer support for short periods of time whilst you recover from an operation, to long‑term, durable mobility aids that can assist you with many daily living tasks.
Many mobility aids are designed specifically for indoor or outdoor use. In many instances, someone may use one mobility aid—for example, a Zimmer frame in the home—whilst using a rollator when out and about.
Check that the mobility aid is safe for you based on your condition; if you are unsure, consult your doctor. Always consider the safety features of the item, and ensure the size and weight are manageable for you.
Why Walking Aids Matter
Mobility aids can enhance users lives around the home and out and about in a variety of ways.
- Enhance stability and balance - Walking aids such as sticks, rollators and frames provide additional points of contact with the ground, in turn helping users balance.
- Reduce the risk of slips and falls - Mobility aids provide support to users by acting as a physical safety measure, especially when outdoors or on slopes where the chance of slips and falls is higher.
- Reduce strain placed on joints - Mobility aids can help reduce the pressure put on muscles and joints as the users weight is spread across the medical device, this is especially benefical to those suffering from chronic pain, arthritis and those recovering from injuries.
- Increase confidence - Knowing support is available makes walking less stressful. Various walking aids also include bags and trays to support users when carrying their shopping or moving items from room to room, reducing the worrying of dropping items and struggling to reach to the ground to pick them up.
- Increase independence - Mobility aids assist users to continue to have an independent active lifestyle, allowing users to still go to the shops or safely move plates from room to room.
Consider where you wish to store the ramp and the space available.
Would you prefer to walk along side the ramp and push your bike up or sit on your bike during loading?
Often you can purchase two motorbike ramps to load quad bikes, ATVs and similar.
Walking Mobility Aids
There are a wide selection of mobility aids to assist those who struggle when walking. Walking sticks are available for those seeking some support whilst walking while rollators provide further support to users and often include a seat to allow users to rest. For those travelling long distances, mobility scooters are often the perfect solution. To assist those using walking aids, ramps and half steps are available.
Rollators
- Used by those with mobility issues, those who struggle with fatigue and those recovering from an operation who require stable support when walking
- Often available with accessories including bags, baskets, backrests and more, perfect for those who struggle carrying essentials and shopping
- Generally provided with a seat to allow you to rest when needed
- Two handles, adjustable in height to allow you to obtain the right posture
Walking Sticks
- Beneficial for those recovering from injuries requiring partial weight-bearing through the injured limb, those with reduced balance or strength, those with pain or weakness in the leg, ankle, knee or hip
- In many instances users may own a rollator and walking stick
- Lightweight and compact for easy storage
- Adjustable in height to promote proper posture
- Free-standing design to keep the walking stick within easy reach
Access Ramps
- Provide a smooth slope, making it easier for users to overcome steps, kerbs and enter homes
- Beneficial for those using wheelchairs and rollators and those who struggle to overcome steps due to limited ability in their legs or similar.
- Extensive range of sizes and designs including ramps with handrails
- Smooth gradient to easily overcome heights
- Indoor or outdoor use
Half Steps
- Reduce the distance from the ground to the step or doorway, in turn making the height more manageable for users with limited mobility
- Selection of sizes allowing them to be used by those using walking sticks, frames and rollators
- Height adjustable designs to meet your needs
- Solutions with handrails for additional support
- Indoor or outdoor use with self-draining solutions
Mobility Scooters
- Used by those who struggle to walk over distances. The battery powered scooters allow users to easily travel around and maintain independence whether users wish to use it to go to work or to the shops.
- Compact design for easy storage
- Impressive 9.4 mile range
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
- Used by those with mobility issues, those who struggle with fatigue and those recovering from an operation who require stable support when walking
- Often available with accessories including bags, baskets, backrests and more, perfect for those who struggle carrying essentials and shopping
- Generally provided with a seat to allow you to rest when needed
- Two handles, adjustable in height to allow you to obtain the right posture
- Beneficial for those recovering from injuries requiring partial weight-bearing through the injured limb, those with reduced balance or strength, those with pain or weakness in the leg, ankle, knee or hip
- In many instances users may own a rollator and walking stick
- Lightweight and compact for easy storage
- Adjustable in height to promote proper posture
- Free-standing design to keep the walking stick within easy reach
- Used by those who struggle to walk over distances. The battery powered scooters allow users to easily travel around and maintain independence whether users wish to use it to go to work or to the shops.
- Compact design for easy storage
- Impressive 9.4 mile range
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
- Provide a smooth slope, making it easier for users to overcome steps, kerbs and enter homes
- Beneficial for those using wheelchairs and rollators and those who struggle to overcome steps due to limited ability in their legs or similar.
- Extensive range of sizes and designs including ramps with handrails
- Smooth gradient to easily overcome heights
- Indoor or outdoor use
- Reduce the distance from the ground to the step or doorway, in turn making the height more manageable for users with limited mobility
- Selection of sizes allowing them to be used by those using walking sticks, frames and rollators
- Height adjustable designs to meet your needs
- Solutions with handrails for additional support
- Indoor or outdoor use with self-draining solutions
The Ramp People's Mobility Aids Safety Features
All mobility aids are equipped with a range of features to ensure they are safe for the user. Below covers just a few of the safety features found within our walking mobility aids.
3-point contact with the ground for optimum stability.
Grinding brake for improved control when going downhill reducing the risk of falls.
Slip-resistant open-mesh self-draining GRP surface.
Air travel safe, lightweight lithium-ion battery.
Self-braking tracks enhances control.
Crash tested ISO 7176-19 Part 20.
VAT Relief
- All mobility qualify for VAT relief for those purchasing in mainland UK with long term disabilities and registered charities.
- When purchasing a mobility aid through The Ramp People, when you add the item to your basket a VAT exemption box will appear. Simply complete your details and the VAT will be removed.
Funding to Help Cover the Cost of Mobility Aids
- The NHS have schemes available to allow you to borrow walking aids such as walking sticks, we would recommend speaking to your GP, physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist.
- Charities can also provide support for funding mobility aids. For example, Better Mobility provides details of various charities which provide equipment to those living with disabilities. The British Red Cross also offer short-term hire of some mobility aids.
We offer a range of ramps designed for loading motorbikes safely over steps, kerbs and into containers. The range includes rubber ramps and lightweight plastic kerb ramps. The ramps are designed to provide a smooth gradient for ease of loading.
The multipurpose ramps can also be used for loading other items. For instance, our range of rubber ramps are commonly used to also load cars whilst the kerbhopper can assist to load goods and equipment.
Motorcycle Ramps for Kerbs, Steps and Containers
- Available in 10cm, 15cm, or 20cm height options; heavy duty 20,000 kg capacity
- Purchase a single 600mm wide ramp or a kit
- Provided with fixings if you wish to secure the ramp in place
- Black with light reflectors for high visibility
- Anti-slip surface, can be left outside
- Available in heights from 4mm - 203mm; 1,000kg capacity
- Various widths from 400mm to 1000mm, cut to amend the width when required
- Anti-slip surface, can be left outside
- Smooth gradient for ease of loading
- Straight-edge design, place multiple units side by side to create wider widths
- Designed for loading at heights up to 200mm, 500kg capacity
- 1.2m wide, push or sit on your bike during loading
- Portable and lightweight design, use in various locations
- High visibility anti-slip yellow surface
- Simply rest onto the step or container and start loading
- 1.5m folding ramp, designed for loading at heights between 380mm - 450mm
- 340kg capacity, perfect for motorbikes
- Portable design, lightweight at 6kg
- Lightweight and folding design for easy storage
- Simply rest onto the step and start loading
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