According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every 1 in 7 Americans is suffering from some kind of mobility issue. As the number is alarmingly high, it can be estimated that the safety of these patients is jeopardized while doing mundane tasks like walking, standing straight from a sitting position, moving around, etc. Therefore, the physicians recommend the services of caregivers at all times along with the use of mobility aids. One such essential product is gait belts. However, caregivers often wonder which one is the best gait belt for elderly?
In the following article, let us go through some of the essential features a product must have to be considered the best gait belt for elderly.
How to Choose the Best Gait Belt for Elderly Patients?
When choosing the best gait belt for elderly, there are several factors that need to be considered. Some of these have been detailed as follows:
1. Comfortable Construction Material
Good quality construction material used for manufacturing gait belts allows the patient to be comfortable while wearing the belt. Some of the materials used for the gait belts include:
· Cotton
· Canvas
· Nylon
· Polypropylene
· Vinyl-coated woven material
· Polyurethane-coated woven fabric
Among these, each material is known for its advantages and disadvantages. For cotton-based belts, comfort is guaranteed as the material is breathable and does not cause skin irritation. These gait belts are also washable either by hand or in a washing machine. However, cotton is hard to wipe down so frequent washes are required.
As for other construction materials, wiping is easy. These are also stronger than cotton and thus form the best gait belt for elderly who are obese.
2. Thick Padding
When buying the best gait belt for elderly, one must choose a product that is heavily padded as thick padding makes the belt comfortable to wear and also reduces the chances of abdominal trauma if the handles get pulled forcefully by accident.
3. Anti-Slip Belt Design
A common problem with gait belts is that they slip from their place when the patient starts moving. This results in the inappropriate usage of the belt often leading to physical trauma caused due to slipping or tripping.
Therefore, the best gait belt for elderly would be one that has a silicone dot anti-slip lining. This design enhances grip and ensures that the belt fits the patient perfectly without moving from its place.
4. Ample Length and Width
When it comes to buying the best gait belt for elderly, it is essential to measure the patient’s body weight and waist size so that the most suitable belt size can be selected. Most gait belts are around 56 to 74 inches in length with a width of 2 inches.
These sizes are suitable for a lot of patients but not for all as even longer belts are required for obese patients. Therefore, some brands also manufacture 100-inch-long gait belts. In addition, these gait belts also have wide waistbands i.e. up to 4 or 6 inches to maximize coverage.
5. Horizontal or Vertical Handles
While transferring a patient from their bed to a sitting position or from a wheelchair to a toilet seat, the caregiver needs to lift them by grabbing the back of the gait belt while making sure that no injuries are acquired during the process. This becomes difficult as some of the gait belts do not have handles for the caregiver to hold the patient conveniently.
Therefore, the best gait belt for elderly would be one with horizontal or vertical handles which allow a stronger grip and subsequently safe transfer of the patient. In addition, leg straps are also attached to some products for extra protection as these effectively distribute the body weight around the thighs.
6. Color and Design
For most patients and caregivers, the color, as well as the design of a gait belt, might seem a trivial detail. However, these colors and patterns might prove helpful in a healthcare setting or nursing home where a specific belt is being used for a specific patient. In such cases, the colors and patterns of the gait belts allow easy identification. Therefore, the best gait belt for elderly will be one which is not only comfortable but can also be recognized among different products.
7. Ease of Usage
For the elderly patients, a gait belt might be needed several times during the day. As the caregiver is responsible for donning and doffing the belt on the patient whenever need be, it is essential to choose a product that is easy to employ and does not take much time.
For instance, gait belts with quick-release plastic buckles are extremely easy to wear and then put off. On the contrary, a gait belt with a tiger-tooth metal buckle takes longer to put on despite being one of the best-fitted and highly secured products. Therefore, the choice for the best gait belt for elderly should be made based on the convenience of the caregiver as well as the patient.
8. Ease of Disinfection
For the products that need to be used on a daily basis, cleaning and disinfecting are essential duties. The caregiver needs to wash or wipe the gait belt often so that the risk of getting an infection from the product is eliminated. As a result, the patient’s safety is also maximized. Therefore, while choosing the best gait belt for elderly, it is important to note if the product is machine washable and machine dryable.
9. Affordability
Usually, a gait belt costs around $10. These belts are mostly cotton-based and are intended to be used in home settings. However, as the features of the product increase, the cost also elevates. Therefore, some of the best gait belts cost around $25 or more. Therefore, for buying the best gait belt for elderly, it should be made sure that the product is also budget-friendly.
Bottom Line
For people who suffer from mobility issues due to old age or a disease state, gait belts are recommended. However, as there are a lot of brands available in the US market, choosing the best gait belt for elderly sometimes becomes overwhelming.
The solution to the problem is to look for a product that has the most suitable construction material that is not only comfortable but also washable. Moreover, handles for the caregiver to lift the patient with ample support should also be present. In addition, the size of the product must also be considered.
As the gait belts are one of the necessary products to provide assistance to the elderly patients, these should be bought and stocked up in healthcare facilities as well as at home. Therefore, for purchasing the best gait belt for elderly, reliable vendors like Health Supply 770 should be approached. They ensure the provision of quality products along with satisfactory services.
References
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/features/kf-adult-prevalence-disabilities.html
PhD Scholar (Pharmaceutics), MPhil (Pharmaceutics), Pharm D, B. Sc.
Uzma Zafar is a dedicated and highly motivated pharmaceutical professional currently pursuing her PhD in Pharmaceutics at the Punjab University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab. With a comprehensive academic and research background, Uzma has consistently excelled in her studies, securing first division throughout her educational journey.
Uzma’s passion for the pharmaceutical field is evident from her active engagement during her Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) program, where she not only mastered industrial techniques and clinical case studies but also delved into marketing strategies and management skills.
