Walking frames, wheels or not?

[billybagpuss]

Hi,

My mum is very overweight, had a mild stroke at the weekend but is ok and home. Her mobility has been reducing massively and she had been using my late grandads old stick, which is inadequate really. I was thinking I’d get her a walking frame, but I know nothing about them. Are we better going for one with wheels or one without?

I’d really appreciate some advice it’s been an awful week as this all came on top of my elderly, single uncle taking a turn for the worse with stage 4 prostate cancer.

Yes the frame with the wheels at the front and three sides is generally what the physios give people in hospital to use as a starter. It’s hard to tip over and easy to use.

Hi OP

Really sorry to hear about your mum. to you both.

With my professional (physio) hat on, I would say that she should really have a proper assessment with one rather than you buying one for her. This would also mean she’s been taught how to use it correctly (sounds daft but is surprisingly necessary) However in the real world, this might takes weeks so in some respects I wouldn’t blame you for going ahead and buying her one.

A few points to consider:

You’ve mentioned she’s very overweight, you’ll need to check the weight limit on any frame you get. She may need a bariatric frame.

If she’s pretty good on her feet and doesn’t need to put loads of weight through the frame, she’ll probably be ok with a wheeled frame. A non wheeled frame will be sturdier but much slower for her. In my experience people tend to get frustrated by frames without wheels if they can move at a reasonable pace (ie not one step, rest, one step, rest) And don’t use them

The height of the frame needs to be correct. The handle should come up to the line of her wrist.

Does she have any steps in the house? If so you might want to consider having one at the top and bottom of the steps

In terms of using the frame, she should never pull up on the frame to stand up from a chair and she must always let go of the frame before she sits down.

I’m sure there are other things but I’m feeding my baby at the moment so I’ll have a think and come back to you

I suggest you contact social services for the elderly as they will be able to come out and carry out a needs assessment at home. I did this with my DM and they came within the week, put grab rails and other adaptations in the home and assessed for a walking frame. As @ChelseaCat said, you need professional advice.

Contact her GP and ask for a physio referral anyway. Even if it takes a long time, it’s worth getting the process started

Thank you so much everyone, I’m actually tearing up a bit at getting advice.

Mum (and dad) are very stubborn, I don’t feel that I can make the call to social services, and as the doctor hasn’t said anything about it they probably won’t do it. Which is why I’m looking into it myself although they are becoming increasingly more receptive to things so I will try hard to get them to do it.

Their current house is 90% of the problem, they moved in in 1965 and they absolutely love it but the stroke was only picked up as she’d had a fall going from kitchen to dining room, which is a pokey door with a very large awkward step. There are similar going into the lounge and as for getting upstairs they are ridiculous I don’t think I had one friend at primary school who didn’t fall down them at some point and one even stood at the top crying as she was scared of them.

Following the fall, she is in a lot of pain and I think getting her up to bed was problematic and took a very long time. They do desperately need professional help but they are incredibly stubborn.

I’ve done it 😳 I called DP and dad was his usual brushing every thing off but for the first time mum said yes anything that can help. So I’ve sent the form off and hopefully they’ll be in touch soon.

Thank you for giving me the push.

Well done. Sounds like a really tough situation

There two ways to get OT (occupational therapist) assessment- via adult health and care (social services) or via primary health community care teams (CCT), which are multi disciplinary and include nurses OTs physios
Some GP surgeries have access to rapid response MDT teams

Contact your local GP surgery for referral to CCT or rapid response who will be able to assess for and arrange correct walking aid/frame as well as consider rehabilitation at home as a physio would be best placed to do this although OTs can too. Ah&C OTs, whilst good, tend to be slower and more aimed at those requiring standards/ hoist or DFGs for larger and longer term adaptations

*Standaids not standards

I suspect support can vary from area to area. I posted on here recently as I didn’t know what route to take. I was directed to social services. Unfortunately they are not coming out in my area at the moment, partly Covid and partly to save cash! Based on a triage they organised, a new step, door grab rails, a second banister, a grab rail in the shower, a toilet riser and, had my mum not go out and bought one, a toilet frame. I am actually surprised and grateful at how much was done to help. Social services told me for sticks, walking frames etc I needed a GP referral.

You might want to thick babbitt a key safe too.

My parents lived in a similar kind of house and life could have been far easier in a flatter place but they refused to consider moving. They did have a stair lift installed which helped quite a lot.