Any recommendatiosn for a walking treadmill with safety harness?

ThisIsWeird

Hi all.

For my mid-80's mil, who can have blackouts, so needs to be the type with a support harness.

Before I begin the tedious search-research, anyone have any pointers?

Thanks

elsien

Which professional has recommended that she needs this because they would seem to be the people to go to to ask for recommendations suited to her particular needs?

Grumpy_chap

If she is prone to blackouts, so needs the harness, will she be supervised when using the treadmill?  I suspect she won't want to be left just in the harness if an episode occurs.

ThisIsWeird

Grumpy_chap said:

If she is prone to blackouts, so needs the harness, will she be supervised when using the treadmill?  I suspect she won't want to be left just in the harness if an episode occurs.

Thanks.

She is fully capable of living on her own, and the cause of the seizures - epilepsy - has been diagnosed and under medication; she hasn't actually had a fall since, but does have dizzy spells. She lives in a retirement village, so has the 'red button' and all that malarkey.

She wishes to remain as active as possible, and uses a wheeled frame for walking about outside - it has a seat should she feel dizzy. It's her idea to have a treadmill, and the risk is no greater than her going outside for a walk, but it makes sense to have one with a harness, just in case. Especially as she won't usually be supervised. 

elsien

I would be concerned about using a harness that hasn't been properly assessed. Sometimes there are risks which are not obvious to the lay person. I would speculate that the majority are designed to be used under supervision. For example, if she passes out and the treadmill keeps going, she gets dragged backwards and ends up at an angle where elements of her harness end up near her neck or impacts on her breathing? 
Having seen people die through the incorrect use of bedrails, which on the face of it are designed to be a safety measure,  I would advise against just going out any buying something without any further professional advice. 

ThisIsWeird

elsien said:

I would be concerned about using a harness that hasn't been properly assessed. Sometimes there are risks which are not obvious to the lay person. I would speculate that the majority are designed to be used under supervision. For example, if she passes out and the treadmill keeps going, she gets dragged backwards and ends up at an angle where elements of her harness end up near her neck or impacts on her breathing? 
Having seen people die through the incorrect use of bedrails, which on the face of it are designed to be a safety measure,  I would advise against just going out any buying something without any further professional advice. 

Thanks, Elsien, and very good points.

We'd have to know it's a setup she could use safely by herself, 'cos perish the thought anyone's going to sit there watching her...

elsien

If she lives in a retirement village, would it not be safer and more sociable to perambulate the corridors? 

You could sponsor her, like an indoor Captain Tom. (Half-inching the proceeds, optional.) 

Grumpy_chap

ThisIsWeird said:

treadmill,
it makes sense to have one with a harness, 

Do you mean a harness in the true sense of the word, so like a mountaineer would wear but hooked to a frame, or do you just mean a cut-out?
AIUI, most (perhaps all) standard treadmills have a cord that can loop around the wrist and if the individual pulls back from the machine (or fell, I suppose), the cord pulls a magnetic contact (or similar) and the treadmill cuts out.
The treadmills I am aware of with a harness do seem to be more suited to a medical setting / observed use.
There can be dangers of being left suspended in a harness.

Will the tread mill encourage her to do more exercise, or less, than simply having the walking frame?
Is there a benefit to her wider wellbeing of the walking frame and going outside to get some natural day light and meet people?

ThisIsWeird

She has her own bungalow, Elsien, and does go out to feed the wildlife - she uses a wheeled frame for that, and she obviously has to take care and judge whether she's having a weak spell. A harnessed treadmill would be a safer option for regular exercise, especially over winter.

Yes, a true harness, Grumpy, like the image below. I suspect it'll actually be too much hassle to use, so it'll be an unsuccessful purchase, but that's her call.

She goes out regularly - it's the most fab grounds, and everyone there is really friendly. Hr two daughters visit on a daily basis too. This would be to enhance her usual exercise. I suspect it's 'good intentions', and will not be that successful, especially if the harness part is awkward.

That's why I was hoping for some real-life experience from folk.

 

Grumpy_chap

ThisIsWeird said:

Yes, a true harness, Grumpy, like the image below. I suspect it'll actually be too much hassle to use, so it'll be an unsuccessful purchase, but that's her call.

 

That type of unit does rather look as though it is intended for use in a supervised, medical setting.  Is MiL flexible enough to actually get into that and use the harness?  AIU, the harness has to be put on and then clipped to the straps behind the head.  I know my Mother would not be able to flex her arms and have the strength in her hands to do the clips in that position.

I assume they also have to be kept in the fully assembled state, so that is a lot of space in a bungalow.  Even if the devices are "fold-away", are they within the capability of an 80-something female?  Again, I ask based upon my Mother who struggles to push up / down the rotary drier in the garden.

It would be worth trying to find if there is anywhere that MiL can trial this type of device before purchase.

elsien

I agree. I do feel this is a nonstarter, or at least it should be. These are medical devices not designed to be used on their own. 
Other option is to join a gym where there would be a level of supervision. 

85-year-old parent belongs to a women only gym. It’s not a weightlifting type of place, it’s more resistance machines and some classes including seated ones. 

Gymophobics franchise, if you’re interested.