Buying mobility equipment for a parent: what should I look for?

Start with the conversation, not the catalogue

Equipment that arrives unannounced often ends up unused in a spare room. Involving the person in the decision, even in a small way, makes a real difference to whether it gets used.

It can help to talk about a specific activity they have stopped doing, rather than about their difficulties in general.

Information to gather

If you are ordering from a distance, a few details will save a return.

• Height, and the distance from the back of the knee to the floor for anything they will sit on.
• Approximate weight, to check maximum user weight.
• Internal doorway widths and whether there are steps or thresholds.
• Whether they can grip and squeeze brakes reliably.
• Who will lift, fold or charge the equipment.

Think about who will be there

Some equipment is designed to be used alone, and some assumes another person is helping. A transit wheelchair, for example, only works if somebody is pushing. Standing and transfer aids are designed for use with a carer.

Buy for the routine, not the worst day

It is tempting to buy for the most difficult scenario. In practice, equipment that suits everyday use tends to get used, and something more supportive can be added later if things change.

Where professional advice helps

For powered mobility, transfers where lifting is involved, or anything after a fall, take advice from an occupational therapist or a qualified mobility specialist before buying. We can explain what a product is designed to do, but we cannot assess an individual.