A stroke can happen to anyone of any age, and at any time. It causes long-term disability for nearly 800,000 people yearly and is one of the leading causes of death. During rehabilitation, a mobility aid such as a walker or rollator can provide support and stability. This article will introduce four of the very best mobility aids for stroke survivors.
What is a Stroke?
A stroke is a condition that affects the brain. If the blood vessels leading to the brain become blocked or ruptured, they cut off oxygen to the brain. This causes parts of the brain as well as brain cells to die.
Strokes can happen on either side of the brain. If it happens on the left side, it affects the right side of the body. If it occurs on the right side of the brain, it affects the left side of the body. It can also happen on both sides of the brain. This occurrence is called a bilateral stroke. Whichever side of the brain a stroke occurs, stroke survivors will need extensive stroke rehabilitation.
Three Main Types of Strokes
There are three main types of strokes: hemorrhagic stroke, ischemic stroke, and transient ischemic attack, also referred to as a mini-stroke. A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when there is leakage from an artery or an artery burst in the brain. This type of stroke often occurs in people with high blood pressure or those who have suffered an aneurysm.
The most common stroke suffered by as many as 87 percent of people is an ischemic stroke. This type of stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery and cuts off oxygen to the brain. An ischemic stroke usually follows a transient ischemic attack (TIA). A TIA is the type of stroke that lasts five minutes or more and occurs often until it develops into an ischemic stroke. Like the ischemic and hemorrhagic storks, TIAs are serious and should be treated by a doctor immediately.
These strokes have a major effect on your mobility. A few of the most common symptoms include:
- numbness in your hands and arms
- Face drooping on one side or the other
- confusion and speech impediment
- inability to move your arms and legs
- Extremely painful headache
After a stroke, your range of motion is affected as well as your balance. Standing, sitting, and walking is no longer easy to do without assistance. Although there are a number of breakthrough devices to assist with rehabilitation, the most commonly used are walkers and rollator walkers. They help stroke sufferers maintain their balance and eliminate accidental falls.
Four Most Popular Walkers/Rollator Walkers for Stroke Patients
Stroke survivors have a long road ahead. Most stroke survivors must relearn skills that came naturally to them before the stroke. One of those skills involves learning to walk again. The most recommended devices designed to help stroke survivors achieve this goal are walkers and rollator walkers. There are four all-time favorites:
- Hemi One Arm Walker
- Comodita Avanti One Hand Rollator Walker
- Let’s Go Indoor Rollator Walker
- Comodita Upright Forearm Rollator Walker
Hemi One Arm Walker
This unique walker from Drive Medical is called the Side Style Hemi Walker. It’s similar to a cane but with a much wider base and four legs for stability. Stroke patients with the use of only one hand will find this product lighter, more stable, and easy to manage. It even folds easier with one hand. Made with a quality stainless steel frame that supports up to 300 pounds. Hemi walkers are easy to use and easy to adjust. Check out the informative video below on how easy it is to use the Side Style Hemi Walker:
The Comodita Avanti One Hand Rollator Walker and the Let’s Go Indoor One Hand Rollator Walker are stylish, functional, and easy to use. They’re ideal for users recovering from a stroke and users with a limited range of motion. They’re designed for one-handed operation and feature a convenient, removable tray for serving or transporting items from room to room. Other features include:
- a roomy storage bag underneath the Avanti tray
- Soft, foam adjustable handles that are comfortable to hold
- A unique one-hand braking system
- Swivel wheels
- A variety of stylish colors
- Supports weights of up to 300 pounds
Finally, the Comodita Upright Forearm Rollator Walker is perfect for stroke rehabilitation. This stylish rollator walker promotes good posture and helps relieve tension away from the shoulders and upper back. It’s a heavy-duty rollator walker that’s perfect for indoor and outdoor use. Stroke survivors improve their posture and strengthen their upper extremities with this rollator walker while at the same time, eliminating accidental falls.
These walkers are special mobility devices that are designed to help stroke survivors regain their independence. If you or a loved one needs extra support with mobility following a stroke, check with your doctor about incorporating a walker or rollator into your rehabilitation efforts. If you have any questions about these or other medical devices, contact customer service support at The Elder Expo.