Mobility aids 101 by Ardra Shephard from Tripping on Air

Mobility Aids 101

Navigating mobility challenges can be a journey with many ups and downs, involving a lot of self-reflection and practical decision-making. Taking the leap towards accepting the potential need for assistive devices can be a daunting step, given the internalized ableism and the societal stigma attached to mobility aids, that act as tangible hurdles in this … Continued

Woman walking with a Rollz Motion rollator with seat at a beach

Choosing the right rollator for indoor and outdoor

Rollator with seat or air tyres for indoors or outdoors? Choosing the appropriate mobility aid is crucial when it comes to ensuring the safety and comfort of individuals who require assistance with their mobility. There are various factors to consider when making this decision, and one must weigh the unique needs and circumstances of the … Continued

Man using mobility aids in a museum

Mobility aids supporting disabled artists

Artists are said to perceive the world through different lenses, and it is their vision that ignites their creativity. In art, creativity flourishes when an artist’s vision transcends conventional boundaries, evoking deep emotions and inspiring profound introspection.

Prescribing rollators

Rollators are designed to assist people who require additional support while walking, aiming to supplement their level of mobility to maintain or increase independence. However, there are rollators of inferior quality that pose risks to the users. It is therefore important for healthcare professionals to guide their patients towards good quality mobility aids. This article … Continued

The life-changing capacity of a Parkinson’s rollator

The clinical evidence and content for this case study was collated, developed and written by The OT Service. This case study intends to use Person Environment Occupation Performance (PEOP) Model of Practice to explore and reflect on an occupational therapy assessment, intervention and formulation of recommendations. PEOP developed by Law et al. is at top-down … Continued

Proof of concept Rollz Motion Rhythm

A common symptom of Parkinson’s disease is a disruption of the walking pattern, also known as ‘freezing of gait’. With freezing of gait, the forward movement of a patient is blocked causing sudden imbalance, leading to an increased risk of falling. This freezing can occur when starting to walk, while making a turn, when walking … Continued

Application of cues via Rollz Motion Rhythm

During the development process of the Rollz Motion Rhythm, it was researched which cue would be most beneficial for Parkinson’s patients. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the functions of the Rollz Motion Rhythm could contribute to an improved user experience and walking pattern for people with Parkinson’s. This was achieved by … Continued

Active lifestyle has beneficial mobility effects on Parkinson’s patients

Despite the advancing possibilities in the medical world, a cure for Parkinson’s has not yet been found. Treatment focuses on suppressing the symptoms through the application of dopamine or deep brain stimulation. Recent research has also shown the positive effects of exercise on both the symptoms and the progression of Parkinson’s disease. Beneficial effects of … Continued

Cues can break the freezing of gait of Parkinson’s patients

A human brain can be subdivided into three parts, each responsible for another level of functioning: archi for basic consciousness and reflexes, paleo for automatic movements and emotions, and neo for cognition and learning new behaviors. Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disease that affects the paleo-part of the brain, and thus the generation of automatic … Continued

Woman driving a Rollz Motion Electric wheelchair in a market

How the modern world helps shape independence

Go back only a few decades and life was quite different from what it is today. Community was thought of in a much smaller, close-knit way. This generally included our immediate neighbourhood, family, good friends, work colleagues, shopkeepers and perhaps whoever popped a newspaper through the door each week. However with the fullness of time, … Continued