Spring has finally sprung. And with the weather (slowly!) starting to warm up, it’s a great opportunity to get outdoors and get more active – whether you want to boost your fitness or simply improve your mobility and move your body more.

Walking more is an enjoyable and non-daunting way of getting more active. Walking for just 10 minutes or more a day has numerous health benefits, including:

• Improving sleep
• Reducing stress
• Increasing energy
• Helping achieve or maintain a healthy weight
• Lowering cholesterol and blood pressure
• Reducing your risk of diabetes, heart disease and cancer
• Strengthening muscles and bones

If you or a loved one struggle with mobility issues, you may be put off from physical activity. But that doesn’t have to be the case! At Wellwise by Shoppers™, we offer a wide range of mobility aids to help people of all abilities to move more. 

Canes

Canes are an excellent solution if you or a loved one have minor problems with balance and steadiness when walking or standing for periods of time. They can help you feel more confident and reduce your risk of falling, as well as take some of the strain off your joints. Modern canes come with ergonomically designed handles for increased grip comfort. Some also feature a quad base, which is a wider base that offers increased balance and support.

If you’d like more information on picking a cane for you or your loved one, check out our article, How to Choose the Right Cane. You can also browse the wide range of canes on our website or visit a Wellwise by Shoppers™ location where our friendly and knowledgeable team will be able to help you find the perfect one for you!

Rollators & Walkers

For those who need a little more support, a rollator or a walker could be a great option to help boost mobility. If you’re at a higher risk of falling, a walker may be the right choice. These usually have either no wheels or just two wheels at the front, so offer greater stability than a rollator, but require enough upper body strength to pick up the frame and move it forward. A rollator, on the other hand, has either three or four wheels, depending on the model, allowing you to move faster than with a walker. Rollators may also include a place to store your belongings and a seat, making them great if you tire easily and need regular breaks to sit down.

You can discover our range of rollators & walkers on our website or at your nearest Wellwise by Shoppers™ location.

Scooters & Powerchairs

Even if you aren’t able to walk, or aren’t able to walk very far, you can still benefit from getting out and about and interacting with your community and with nature. Scooters and powerchairs can give you the freedom to do this. The main difference between these two mobility aids is that a powerchair can usually be controlled with just your hand using a joystick, while a scooter is controlled via handlebars so requires slightly more upper body strength and mobility.

If you’re interested in enjoying the benefits of a scooter or a powerchair, you can explore the range on our website or head to your preferred Wellwise by Shoppers™ location.

Being more active, having the ability to participate in your community, and spending time outdoors, has myriad benefits for both your physical and mental health. Just because you or a loved one have reduced mobility, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy these benefits. Trying out the wide range of mobility aids available at Wellwise by Shoppers™ could be your first step towards moving forward and putting a spring back in your step.

The information presented in this blog post is designed for educational purposes only. You should not rely on any information in this post as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or as a substitute for professional counseling care. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional.

Resources

https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/health-wellness-care/health-programs-advice/physical-activity/walking/