27 July 2020
If you’re living with a health condition that affects your mobility, investing in the right equipment can offer reliable support and give you the confidence to move around more freely.
Of course, it’s important to look after your mobility aids correctly – not only to help prevent any problems or faults occurring, but also to prolong the life of your equipment so it can continue to safely support you.
Whether you’re maintaining the batteries, wheels, or frames of your mobility equipment, our 5 top tips will help make sure you can keep your equipment ship-shape so it won't let you down.
Completing an overall and regular check on your mobility equipment will help you to pick up on any small problems that could be easily fixed or identify anything which could lead to more difficulties in future. Depending on what type of mobility aid you use, you may want to consider checking:
If you do notice any changes when inspecting or using your mobility aid, it is important to get it checked by a professional and have any damage repaired to keep yourself safe and comfortable.
Whether it’s a handy hook for your walking stick or a parking spot in a garage or shed for a mobility scooter, finding the best space to store your mobility aid can help to keep it working smoothly for longer.
Most mobility aids will fare well being stored in a cool and dry place, avoiding any direct sunlight or being placed near a heat source, such as a radiator, and you may wish to protect your mobility aid against dirt or damage with a cover when in storage. For aids powered by a battery, such as a scooter or powered wheelchair, it is also important to avoid storing it in extreme temperatures, especially the cold, and for these bigger, more expensive aids, security will be an added consideration.
Folding aids, such as a folding wheelchair or walking stick, can be stored in their more compact position to help reduce the storage space needed.
The battery is the heart of any powered mobility aid and when well cared for it can positively affect the aid’s performance, helping to give it the longest life possible. You should get the battery tested as part of an annual service on your mobility aid, however there are a few things that you can do in the meantime to help care for the battery.
Batteries should be kept out of extreme temperatures and should be charged regularly to keep them going, even if the mobility aid is not being used for longer periods of time. It’s important to get the right charger for the battery to ensure it is running at its optimal performance and it isn’t at risk of any damage. Spare or additional batteries can be purchased, but make sure it’s the right type for your equipment.
The best way to look after the battery is to follow the instructions for the mobility aid and specific battery you are using. For example it may be important to disconnect the charger when the battery is fully charged, whereas others may switch off automatically and can be left overnight.
You can find more tips about looking after the battery in your battery-powered mobility aid here.
It's easy to forget but ferrules and wheels can become worn, damaged or lose pressure so it’s important to do regular checks to make sure they’re in good condition.
Ferrules are the small rubber feet that you can find on walking sticks and walking frames. They are an important feature as they provide grip on the ground, giving you added support when in use. If they become worn you can find inexpensive replacement ferrules, or even try a new style, such as a shock absorbing ferrule. This is a simple way to lengthen the lifespan of a walking aid without the need to buy a new one each time.
Wheels are of particular importance when caring for your equipment and, just like a car, they need to be checked for punctures, low pressure, and other damage. Wheel alignment is important for accurate steering and can help if you check the steering is straight, although this may be something you notice naturally. If there is damage to your tyres, you must get this repaired before using the equipment.
It's useful to know the average lifespan of your mobility aid and if features, such as the battery or wheels, need replacing after a certain length of time. Knowing this information beforehand will give you an indication of when you will need to organise a service and potentially when you will expect to purchase a newer aid.
If you have a specialist wheelchair, you can get your wheelchair serviced with us, there are also options for an engineer callout if your chair is damaged. Find out more here.
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