Rollator/walker + rehabilitation center - Ataxia UK

Ataxia UK

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Rollator/walker + rehabilitation center

ww-wibblywobbly profile image
•15 Replies

I recently posted about thinking about getting a walker.

Thank you everyone for your replies and very helpful information. It's much appreciated x🤗. I have kept notes of the recommended products x

I'm currently in a rehabilitation center for two weeks and I spoke to the Dr and physiotherapist here about getting a walker/rollator.

They both told me to continue with my two walking sticks for the moment and not to get one yet! They said that I'm managing well with them.

I have my wheelchair for going out in.

The sticks are for indoors and very short distances.

Hopefully I'll gain some strength and improve my balance in here. I'm only here for two weeks as I get so tired. Has anyone been in a rehabilitation center in the UK. I'm in France

Love

Alison xx

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ww-wibblywobbly profile image
ww-wibblywobbly
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15 Replies
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cocoa profile image
cocoa

It sounds like you are getting very good treatment.

I have never been offered any help apart from a short course of physio. After that I was given exercises to do at home.

ww-wibblywobbly profile image
ww-wibblywobbly in reply to cocoa

Oh my, the treatment just doesn't seem to be the same in the UK as in France!

I can't imagine how I'd be without all this physiotherapy!!

ddmagee1 profile image
ddmagee1

Of course, your following the Doctor’s instructions, are of primary importance. They assess your current abilities and difficulties, and have the professional training and accreditation, to make the best recommendations, in regards to mobility issues. I explained to you my personal experience, hoping that it might help you, in some way. We can all express our experiences living with mobility issues. I hope you can realize improvements, in your quest for better mobility. Best wishes to you!

ww-wibblywobbly profile image
ww-wibblywobbly in reply to ddmagee1

I'm feeling the difference of being in this rehabilitation center. Not huge differences, but strength and balance are both a little better

wobblybee profile image
wobblybee

🙂 It’s good to know you’re being well looked after.I’ve only had the odd hour with a Specialist Physio, and also been given exercises to do at home.

I hope time passes productively, and you’re home well in time for Christmas 🙂

ww-wibblywobbly profile image
ww-wibblywobbly in reply to wobblybee

I'm coming out soon. My stay lasts only 2 weeks as I get so tired and they don't want me completely exhausted! So will definitely be home for Christmas.

That's shocking how little physio you have received!!!

wobblybee profile image
wobblybee in reply to ww-wibblywobbly

To be honest, I get the impression that it’s rare for anyone here in the UK to be prescribed regular physio. The sessions I had were primarily for BPPV (the Epley Manoeuvre), and a few basic core exercises were introduced, along with printed exercises to do at home. But, we all know what it’s like when we’re left to our own devices..🙂 I do hope things go according to plan ..

majajefferies profile image
majajefferies

It is virtually impossible to get rehab or even physio here. If you do manage (by some miracle) then all they want to do is assess and prescribe so that someone else does the actual physio. And every one of the therapist we have ever had the pleasure to meet was utterly useless, risk averse is the phrase they seem to start every sentence with (this includes S&L, OTs…)

ww-wibblywobbly profile image
ww-wibblywobbly in reply to majajefferies

Oh my!!

It's really not like that here. Physio focuses on building and keeping your autonomy!

However OT does always want everything risk averse!

I'm so sorry that you're experience has been so useless from any physios

Midori profile image
Midori

Sticks are useful, but if you need to go out on a longer trip, or shopping a rollator is good because it has a seat. It's also good to pile your shopping on.

I'm going to have to get myself a new one soon; mine is as poorly as me! it's over ten years old! I was looking yesterday and I found some lightweight ones at just over £100; probably around 130 Euros.

I have a love/hate relationship with my wheelchair; where I live is quite hilly, and as I don't have a lot of arm strength,I can't go out alone in it. Also, the dropped kerbs are so badly designed, that they take you into the road before you know it! So it lurks with intent in the garage, and sulks! ;)

Cheers, Midori

ww-wibblywobbly profile image
ww-wibblywobbly in reply to Midori

Oh my, it's a shame you don't get to use your chair more, but at least a rollator keeps you walking! How far can you walk with it?

Midori profile image
Midori in reply to ww-wibblywobbly

I can slowly stagger to my local Tesco, as it is located in a small shopping development which I can see from my window, but I get out of breath, so thank heavens for the seats they have outside!

I don't buy much there, just a small basketful, usually bread, maybe cheese, local newspaper; Most of my stuff is delivered now. I do like to select my own veggies though.

Sometimes I will have a snack in their cafe.

Then I have to get the things I bought back up to the bungalow, which is the hard part. I get breathless going uphills, and my drive is steep! Takes me up to 3 hours!

Cheers, Midori

PatsyIpswich profile image
PatsyIpswich

The great thing about a rollator is that it enables you to look all about you .. magic x

BrettDarby profile image
BrettDarby

I was the same 10 years ago, now it’s a wheelchair only. One must always fight the disease, I s’pose, but it sure was a relief to me when I transitioned from legs to wheels.

PatsyIpswich profile image
PatsyIpswich

Rollator better than sticks for carrying things too.

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