Learn more about walking poles by booking an appointment with your ARTARx pharmacist!
Visit artarx. net for contact information.
When considering if it may be time to use a mobility aid, the answer is rarely obvious and simple. It is often a series of small signs, such as:
• Avoiding walks because of discomfort and balance concerns
• Hesitating before navigating stairs or uneven sidewalks
• Feeling less steady on your feet than you once did
• Requiring more rest during activities you previously enjoyed
There is an emotional component to deciding to use a mobility aid. People worry about how others will perceive them. Experienced users report that other people are far less focused on the device than the user is. What friends, family members, and neighbours typically see is someone participating, socializing, and enjoying life. Using a mobility aid isn’ t giving up— it’ s more like upgrading your equipment for the journey ahead.
Choosing to use a mobility aid is a proactive decision to support your health. In many cases, people wish they had started using the right aid sooner, before pain, fatigue, or balance concerns started affecting their daily lives. If you decide to use a mobility aid, please ensure you receive the right training from a professional and be sure to practice before hiking Mount Everest.
For ARTA Benefit Plan members, many prescribed mobility aids are eligible for coverage.
With written authorization from a health-care professional, ARTA Benefit Plan members can receive coverage for the following:
Canes: Up to your province’ s reasonable and customary amount
Walkers: up to $ 120 per calendar year, including repairs under the Build-Your-Own and ARTARx Plans
Manual wheelchairs: up to $ 2,000 every five years or $ 1,500 every three years under the Comprehensive Plans
Electric scooter or wheelchair *: up to $ 5,000 every five years, including repairs under the Build-Your-Own and ARTARx Plans
* Coverage is for either a manual or electric wheelchair in the five-year period.
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