Our Story
It Started With An Observation
Through Ethnographic Research “a fancy way of saying people watching” the founder discovered that individuals are so embarrassed by their walking aids they risk death instead of using it properly.
It sounds dramatic, but it's true.
The most common place for residents with waking aids to fall is within the last six feet. Individuals "park" their walker and attempts to make it to a seat unassisted. Falls are known to be the number one killer of elderly nursing home residents, and this behavior increases the likelihood of an accident. These individuals are risking significant injury and even death by leaving their walkers so far away.
Dr. Seth McDonald
Seth McDonald is a Doctor of Physical Therapy currently working with Kittitas Valley Hospital. He has seen the effect of a persons attitude toward using their mobility device after using one of Life Improved Medicals products.
Studies have shown an average of nearly 130 individuals, ages 65 and older, were treated in emergency departments each day for injuries sustained from falls involving a walking aid.
87% of these cases involved walkers.
It's Not Just In The Way
When asked why they leave their walking aids individuals say that it's in the way. But it can be shown that this is not the true underlying cause. These individuals often have numerous other things around them- magazines, end tables, ottomans, knitting projects, pictures of their family, and so on. These things aren't considered in the way, why is a walker?
The things they keep close represent them in some way. If given time they will tell you about everything they have around them. These items define who they are, their family, their personality, their interests.
The walker is not something they want near them because they hate it. Walkers are seen as a symbol of age and disability. They are embarrassed by it, it's not something they want to be associated with.
75% were not using their device at the time of a significant fall.
Another study found 75% of the people they studied were not using their device when they fell.
Individuals who were not using their device when they fell had a significantly higher rate of injuries requiring surgery. "Among respondents requiring surgery, 100% were (not using their device at the time of the fall)."
One of the main reasons given for not using the device was because
"the device made them feel old".
What If We Could Change That?
What if walkers could be something to show off, rather than hide?
If they represented the individuals personality rather than disability?
We strive to do just that. For someone who has to use a walker everyday, the device becomes just as much a part of their appearance as their clothing. The variety of accessories provide individuals the opportunity to show their personality and individuality. The founders discovered that the medical industry focuses on functionality of devices, not the end user. By transforming the medical device into a personal item it creates positive associations and encourages use.
