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Mobility Devices, Canes, & Walking Aids:  Explorer Discussions

The Impact Theme series: Discussions with Older Adults.

Listen to the audio recordings

Kai Demonstrates His Volaris Rollator Walker

Explorer Kai tells the group why the Volaris rollator-type walker attracted his attention, and why he chose the Volaris brand to meet his needs.

Listen to: "Kai Demonstrates His Volaris Rollator Walker"

 

Volaris Rollator

 

Endorsed: An Assist Device to Get In and Out of the Car

Explorer Rosalie brings a sample of an item that she highly recommends as an aid for getting into or out of an automobile.

Listen to: "Endorsed: An Assist Device to Get In and Out of the Car "

 

 

Rollators and Walkers: What are the features that matter?

A circle member presents a helpful summary of his gleanings from his research for an ambulation assistive device. The group gained insights into the differences between a walker and a rollator, and many more useful tips for choosing, including:

Listen to: "Rollators and Walkers: What are the features that matter?"

 

 

All-terrain walker demonstration

Our group had a demonstration of a prototype all-terrain walker, invented / designed by Elaine Levin who came along to show us her product concept.

Listen to: "All-terrain walker demonstration"

 

 

Portable Mobility Devices

Explorer Rosalie describes a portable motorized mobility device that folds to a compact size, and one that she has often seen used on shipboard.

Listen to: "Portable Mobility Devices"

 

portable wheelchair, motorized foldable transport

 

How to Get Out of the Bath?

Explorer Judy reports that getting out of the bathtub is becoming problematic for her.

Listen to: "How to Get Out of the Bath?"

 

bathtub

 

Canes with Extras: Show & Tell

The Explorers look at a prototype cane as well as a mass produced model, and discuss the pros and cons of both designs.

Listen to: "Canes with Extras: Show & Tell"

 

lighted canes

 

Peripheral Neuropathy & Gait Inventions: EVC pt 2

These explorers talk about peripheral neuropathy, and gait improvement ideas, and they comment on their personal experiences with the condition.

Listen to: "Peripheral Neuropathy & Gait Inventions: EVC pt 2"

 

peripheral neuropathy

 

Exploring Gait and Balance Problems

Explorers discuss gait and balance challenges that result from conditions like peripheral neuropathy. We explore what sort of problems people have and speculate about ideas for gadgets that might help compensate for these challenges.

Listen to: "Exploring Gait and Balance Problems "

 

peripheral neuropathy

 

Is there a gadget to help open or close doors?

Explorer Ray introduces the problem of how disabled persons or persons in wheelchairs can close doors as they leave a room, or open the door when they arrive.

Listen to: "Is there a gadget to help open or close doors?"

 

Door opener, door closer

 

Topic Hub

Transportation and Mobility Tech

Transportation & Mobility Tech

Being free to get from one place to another when you want is a very important ingredient of an independent life. But it becomes harder as you get older — and either can't (or don't want to) drive anymore, or can't walk as far as you used to. We are exploring solutions to these challenges. This is our Topic Hub for coverage of things related to getting around and mobility tech.

Read: "Transportation & Mobility Tech"

 

 

About the Impact Theme Series

Our Longevity Explorers (hundreds of older adults with ages ranging from 60-95 years old) meet regularly to discuss topics at the intersection of aging and technology.

Among the many topics we discuss in these meetings, we have been exploring some specific themes which we think are going to be very important for older adults in the future, and which in our opinion are ripe for innovation. These make up our Impact Themes, and Mobility Devices, Canes, & Walking Aids is one of these themes.

In these discussions:

  • We share how we do things today;
  • We explore and critique existing products;
  • We talk about challenges we have that we wish products could solve; and
  • We dream up product concepts we wish someone like you would develop.

If you are developing products or services for older adults in the category of Mobility Devices, Canes, & Walking Aids, listen to the Longevity Explorer discussions on this page to get insights about how to develop better products and services for older adults.

More Explorer Discussions

 

Researcher Membership

Some of the discussions require a premium Researcher Membership to listen to the audio recording.

Learn about Premium Researcher Memberships.

Topics (broader coverage of this theme): 
Mobility