Ultimate Guide: 8 Mobility Devices for Seniors to Get Around Easily

As we become older, our bodies change and limit our capacity to move freely and think quickly, causing reduced mobility and loss of cognitive abilities. A recent Census Bureau survey revealed that mobility issues affect 40% of the aging population in the U.S. Additionally, one in four adults falls each year due to various factors, including mobility issues, making fall prevention crucial for the well-being of the elderly.

To tackle this issue, mobility devices for seniors greatly help them preserve their independence with safety. Some include walking assistive devices for the elderly, while wheelchairs and mobility scooters are wheeled travel aids for seniors. Let’s take a look at a few of them.

8 Mobility Devices for Seniors

The best mobility devices for seniors are the ones that suit specific needs. We recommend talking to your physician and family members and discussing your issues. Together, you can decide what assistive devices you need to help you in carrying out your daily living activities safely. 

1. Rollator walkers

Rollators are wheeled walkers that help seniors walk longer distances with stability. Moreover, you can rest on the built-in seat and stow away your shopping items in the under-seat basket or pouch. They aid in the easy movement for seniors who have considerable balance but still need support for their lower limbs. Rollators have handbrakes for safety and stability. 3-wheeled and 4-wheeled rollators are very popular, and most feature a seat, storage and foldability.

The McKesson 4-Wheel Rollator is a popular choice for its strength and weight-bearing capacity of 300 lbs. The 6-inch casters with soft grip tires make movement smooth, whether indoors or outside. The deluxe loop-lock system operates like a bicycle hand brake to slow down or temporarily stop the vehicle and easily locks into a stationary position by pushing the handle downwards to ensure maximum safety.

Price: $96.50

2. Mobility scooters 

Mobility scooters are electric-powered mobility devices for seniors who can’t walk long distances. They are effortless to use and usually come in 3 and 4-wheeled versions. Mobility scooters use a tiller to steer the scooter forward or backward. Moreover, they can replace manual wheelchairs for seniors who cannot operate them. 

The Go-Go Traveler Elite Plus by Pride Mobility is a top-rated mobility scooter. The Delta Tiller frame comes with wrap-around handles that make one-handed operation possible for the elderly suffering from arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome. Its weight capacity is 300 lbs., speed is 4.5 mph, and has a range of 14.5 miles. The charger port located on the tiller makes charging this mobility device easy and quick.

3. Bedside step stool to get in and out of bed 

We tend to overlook safety in the bedroom till an accident happens. Don’t wait for falls and injury, and invest in a bedside step stool to make getting in and out of bed, especially high beds, easy and safe. Choose sturdy bedside step stools with grab bars for added support and fall prevention.

The Step2Bed is a sturdy steel step stool with innovative and practical features like padded grab handles, wide-landing base and non-slip feet. You can adjust it to suit your bed’s height and access full support while getting in and out of bed. The motion-activated light is a fantastic feature that makes night visits to the bathroom safer for the elderly. Step2Bed comes in three sizes: Standard, XL and Mini. The Step2Bed XL has a wider landing base and bears up to 800 lbs. of weight. The Step2Bed Mini is an excellent choice for small spaces with its tall grab bars and height adjustment feature. For those on a budget, a refurbished Step2Bed is an economical choice.

Price: Starting from $109.00

4. Step stool for the bathtub 

The bathroom poses a significant risk of slips and falls for seniors aging in place due to wet and slippery floors. A step stool for the bathtub not only makes the bathroom safer but also makes getting in and out of the bathtub easier for seniors. 

Step2Tub is an excellent bathtub safety aid that secures onto the sides of the tub and makes stepping in and out of the bath area safe and easy. It has steel grab bars with soft foam padding and dual clamps for added stability. In addition, the shower step is large with a non-slip base, and the device comes with a height adjustment feature for both the legs and grab bars. It is suitable for most tubs and has a weight capacity of 300 lbs.

Price: $189.00

5. Wheelchairs

Wheelchairs assist seniors who don’t or have limited lower body mobility. The manual wheelchair is the most common and popular mobility aid and requires the user to steer the chair using the strength in their arms. Some wheelchairs are lightweight for ease of movement, while foldable wheelchairs are a popular travel aid for the elderly. 

With 8-inch front casters, the driveTM Cruiser III Lightweight Wheelchair comes with precision sealed wheel bearings in the front and rear to ensure long-lasting performance and reliability. The nylon upholstery is attractive, lightweight, durable, and easy to clean. It incorporates push-to-lock wheel locks and padded armrests for safety and comfort. With a weight carrying capacity of 350 lbs. and 20 in. seat, this wheelchair is ideal for senior comfort and mobility.

Price: $286.74

6. Canes

Canes are usually the first mobility devices for seniors. Active older adults who need just a little support to walk better use canes with a single point of contact called the standard canes. Those needing better support use quad canes for greater stability. Canes are non-intrusive walking assistive devices for the elderly that reduce the stress on your lower limbs while walking. 

The Bronze McKesson Offset Cane is a versatile, savvy, and sturdy cane that supports up to 300 lbs. The ergonomically-designed offset handle with soft foam rubber grip and wrist strap reduces hand pressure. It effectively aids walking by better distribution of weight, allowing increased stability, comfort and convenience. This cane is safe and ideal for senior use with a single push button height adjustability feature (30 to 39 inches) and a locking ring that prevents rattling.

Price: $55.10

7. Stairlifts for Seniors’ Mobility

A stairlift is the best mobility device for seniors who live in multi-story homes and require access to all spaces. Stairlifts help the elderly with balance concerns use the stairs in their house safely, without having to climb them. 

Stairlifts have two components: the track and the chair. The track impacts the entire cost of the stairlift and where it’s installed in your home. They come in straight, curved or outdoor types. The chair is crucial since you will interact the most with it. It is customized for your safety and features advantages like a swivel base, angled back, foldability and height adjustment. 

Since stairlifts are an expensive investment, make sure you consult an expert before deciding to install one. Authorized agents of stairlift companies customize the stairlift in your house after a detailed discussion, making sure it fits the space and meets your needs.

8. GPS trackers for Seniors’ Mobility

Use technology to make mobility for seniors safer and simpler. Often older adults with dementia or those developing Alzheimer’s tend to wander off from their homes and find it hard to recollect their way back. A GPS tracker is a travel aid for seniors that can help find their location and the way back home. Some GPS trackers come with an SOS alarm button that alerts your loved ones and local emergency services when you press the button. 

The Geozilla GPS Location Tracker uses a SIM card, Wi-Fi and GPS tracking to locate your loved one if they wander beyond the geofence you can create on the app. It comes with an SOS button that alerts the wearer’s location through app notification, SMS or email to their emergency contacts. It has a long battery life and comes with monthly or long-term service plans.

Price: $59.99

Final Thoughts

Mobility has an impact on the mental and physical well-being of seniors. However, as more and more older adults prefer to age in place, several mobility devices for seniors enable independent living. Mobility solutions for seniors can improve the quality of life of the elderly, giving them the confidence to live their later years safely and healthily.