Mobility aids and devices are tools designed to assist people with limited mobility, making it easier for them to move around and maintain independence.
Tips & Links
Mobility aids can help people with various mobility issues, such as difficulty walking, balancing, or standing, by providing the support needed to maintain their independence and enhance their ability to perform daily activities.
Learn More
- The most common mobility devices include wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches, scooters, power chairs, and stair climbers.
- Less common are orthotic devices, such as braces, splints, or prostheses, which help support and stabilize weak or injured joints or to replace amputated limbs.
- Learn about adaptive devices like reachers, dressing sticks, and sock aids, which assist with daily activities.
- Learn about home mobility and safety equipment from the Government of BC.
- Learn how to get a free home safety assessment from the Government of BC, often completed by a physiotherapist or an occupational therapist.
- Review the fall prevention checklist from Healthlink BC.
- Learn strategies to support senior’s aging in their homes from the Government of BC.
- Know that the health care professional who conducts your home safety assessment usually provides a list of recommended mobility aids/ devices and equipment to support your daily functioning.
Things You Can Do
- If in hospital, ensure you receive a physiotherapist and/or occupational therapist assessment if you have had changes to your mobility. Ask for a home safety assessment on your discharge home.
- If you are experiencing changes in your health, strength, or mobility, know that you can ask for a home safety assessment from your health authority.
- In many cases, the health care professional who conducts your home care or home safety assessment can create a list of equipment and provide guidance on where to obtain it. Be sure to record this information.
- Know that in some health authorities you can request an occupational therapist (OT) visit to educate family caregivers and care partners on how to support your mobility safely in the home.
- Learn how to improve your muscle strength and mobility from the Government of BC.
- Explore Ability 411 for recommendations about mobility aids/devices, how to source them, and supports for financial assistance across Canada.
- Look into the Red Cross equipment loan program for mobility aids. Also check out your local hospital for long or short-term loaning programs.
- Learn about funding for mobility aids from sources such as Pharmacare, BC Disability, Community Living BC, and First Nations Health Authority depending on the need and situation.
- Explore the many transportation options for people with physical limitations in BC such as HandyDART, Translink, TaxiSaver, and community non-profit ride-share programs.
- Learn how to get a special parking permit from SPARC-BC the Social Planning & Research Council of BC.
Talk with your family and care partners and complete the activities Changes in My Personal Needs and Getting a Home-Care or Home-Safety–Assessment.