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LIOMAR Medical expands its mobility aids portfolio: an easy‑to‑read guide for Canadian professionals and families
Canada’s ageing population and the growing number of people living with chronic illness create rising demand for mobility aids. Yet the 2022 Canadian Survey on Disability reported that about one quarter of adults with disabilities still have unmet needs for assistive devices[1].
To respond, LIOMAR Medical has launched a range of new mobility‑aid products designed for hospitals, long‑term care homes and community care providers.
This article introduces four categories—wheelchairs, patient lifts, walkers, and stand‑tall walkers—with examples from our catalogue. For clarity we leave out Wishower, which is a shower‑in‑bed system for hygiene but not a mobility aid. Each section summarises medical evidence and practical benefits to help clinicians and purchasing agents make informed decisions.
Wheelchairs: mobility and comfort
A wheelchair is not just a chair on wheels; it is a lifeline that restores independence and prevents complications. Physiopedia notes that appropriate wheelchairs improve mobility and independence, reduce pressure sores, and help with breathing and digestion[2].
LIOMAR Medical supplies lightweight manual and electric wheelchairs suited to hospitals, rehabilitation centres and long‑term care facilities.
The SYIV100‑MFT809‑II and SYIV100‑MFL808B‑16 models, for example, feature foldable aluminium frames, cushioned seating and adjustable footrests. Manual versions are easy to manoeuvre and transport, while electric models provide powered mobility for users with limited arm strength.
LIOMAR’s chairs are designed for durability and ease of cleaning—key factors in infection control. They enhance mobility and accessibility, independence and quality of care[3].
When choosing a wheelchair, health professionals should consider seat width, back support and ease of maintenance. A proper fit reduces shoulder strain and prevents poor posture. Accessories such as pressure‑relieving cushions help prevent skin breakdown. Procurement teams may appreciate that LIOMAR offers support and maintenance services and can source models beyond those listed on its website[3]. Investing in reliable wheelchairs reduces long‑term costs and ensures consistent performance across departments.
Patient lifts: safer transfers for staff and clients
Transferring patients is one of the most injury‑prone tasks in healthcare. A meta‑analysis published in Journal of Occupational Health concluded that replacing manual lifting with mechanical devices could reduce the prevalence of low‑back pain and musculoskeletal injuries among care personnel by about one third[4].
Another study showed that lift‑assist devices cut muscle activity in the shoulders, back and legs by 2–35 % and decrease trunk bending during transfers[5]. These findings underline the importance of patient lifts for occupational safety and patient dignity.
LIOMAR’s patient lifts category includes examples such as the TR 4000 Bariatric Shower Trolley, TR 9650 Chair Lift and TR 9650 Mobile Combi Lift[6]. These devices combine sturdy frames with smooth hydraulics or powered actuators for safe raising, lowering and transferring of patients. Bariatric models accommodate higher weight capacities, while chair lifts are ideal for bathing and toileting.
Mobile lifts allow transfers within tight spaces and can be shared between rooms. Using a mechanical lift reduces the risk of falls and skin tears, improves comfort for patients, and protects caregivers from back strain. Our team offer guidance on choosing the right lift and provides after‑sales support[6].
Healthcare administrators should ensure staff are trained in lift operation and sling selection. Choose lifts with adequate battery life, stable bases and easy‑to‑clean surfaces. Proper implementation can lower workers’ compensation claims and align with provincial safe patient‑handling regulations.
Walkers: stability and confidence for adults and children
Walkers help people maintain balance and take weight off the lower limbs after surgery or during rehabilitation.
The Mayo Clinic advises that walkers are useful for individuals with arthritis, balance problems or weakness; they can help users stay upright and keep weight off injured legs[7]. LIOMAR’s walker range includes lightweight, adjustable walkers and specialised devices for children.
Models like the Rebotec Pluto Posterior Reverse Walker and the Fixi and Fox Pediatric Rollator provide stability for children learning to walk again after injury or surgery[8]. Adult walkers such as the Walker MF911L and Walker MFGW102 are height‑adjustable, foldable and equipped with non‑slip rubber tips for safety[8].
For older adults, four‑wheel rollators provide a seat and basket, encouraging longer walks and independence. Two‑wheel walkers offer more stability and accessibility for those who need to bear weight on the frame. We choose each walker for its durability and ability to enhance patient safety and independence[8].
Health‑care providers should assess a patient’s strength, coordination and environment when selecting a walker. Lightweight frames are easier to manoeuvre, while padded grips reduce hand fatigue. Accessories such as trays or pouches can make walkers more functional in hospitals and homes.
Stand‑tall walkers: encouraging upright posture and reduced strain
Traditional walkers often encourage users to lean forward, which can strain the back and shoulders. Stand‑tall or upright walkers support the forearms and promote a more natural stance.
A 2022 biomechanical study reported that using a forearm support walker improved posture, offloaded weight from the lower limbs and resulted in more efficient gait patterns[9]. This design may also help users with respiratory problems by allowing better lung expansion.
LIOMAR’s stand‑tall range features the Bure XL Upright Walker and Bure Standard Upright Walker, which provide forearm supports and adjustable height[10]. These devices reduce strain on the back and shoulders while enhancing stability and confidence[10].
Stand‑tall walkers are ideal for rehabilitation after strokes or hip fractures because they encourage a natural walking pattern. They are also useful in long‑term care facilities for residents who have difficulty leaning on traditional walkers.
Health‑care providers should ensure patients have sufficient upper‑body strength to use forearm supports safely and that walkers are adjusted to the correct height. Investing in stand‑tall walkers can improve therapy outcomes and reduce the risk of falls. LIOMAR offers guidance on fitting and training[10].
Wishower: complementary hygiene solution (not a mobility aid)
Although this article focuses on mobility aids, it is worth noting that LIOMAR also offers the Wishower™ bed shower system. Wishower provides a full‑body shower to bedridden patients without moving them from the bed.
The device is mobile, has an integrated water supply and decontamination system, and reduces the time needed for hygiene care[11]. It enhances comfort and dignity for patients and simplifies workflow for caregivers. While not a mobility aid, Wishower complements LIOMAR’s mobility products by addressing another fundamental need: hygiene.
Conclusion
By expanding its portfolio to include high‑quality wheelchairs, patient lifts, walkers and stand‑tall walkers, LIOMAR Medical responds to the unmet need for mobility aids in Canada[1].
Evidence shows that well‑designed wheelchairs can reduce pressure sores and improve respiratory and digestive health[2]; mechanical lifts lower caregiver injury and improve patient transfers[5][4]; walkers help maintain balance and independence[7]; and stand‑tall walkers promote upright posture and efficient gait[9].
LIOMAR’s product examples—such as the SYIV100 series wheelchairs, TR series lifts, Rebotec Pluto pediatric walkers, and Bure upright walkers—illustrate the breadth of solutions available[3][8][6][10].
Each category is chosen for durability, ease of use and compliance with healthcare standards, making them suitable for hospitals, nursing homes and home care. By partnering with us, healthcare providers and buyers can equip patients with reliable mobility aids and complementary products like Wishower to improve quality of life, reduce caregiver strain and support dignified care across Canada.
Sources
[1] Canadian Survey on Disability (2022). Nearly one‑quarter (22.7 %) of persons with disabilities reported unmet needs for assistive devices; this rose to 24.8 % for ages 45–64 and 25.6 % for ages 65 and over.
[2] Physiopedia – “Role of the Wheelchair”. Appropriate wheelchairs improve mobility and independence, reduce the development of pressure sores and facilitate breathing and digestion.
[3] Liomar Medical – Wheelchairs page. Liomar offers wheelchairs designed for hospitals, rehabilitation centres and long‑term care homes, ranging from lightweight manual chairs to electric models. These chairs emphasise durability, safety and ease of use and can be customised upon request.
[4] Journal of Occupational Health – Mechanical lifting meta‑analysis. A systematic review found that replacing manual lifting with mechanical devices could reduce the prevalence of low‑back pain and musculoskeletal injury claims among healthcare workers by about one third.
[5] Int J Environ Res Public Health – Lift‑assist device study. Researchers observed that lift‑assist devices reduce muscle activity in caregivers’ shoulders, backs and legs by 2–35 % and decrease trunk bending during patient transfers.
[6] Liomar Medical – Patient lifts page. Liomar’s patient lifts enable safe, comfortable transfers and reduce caregiver strain. Examples include the TR 4000 Bariatric Shower Trolley, TR 9650 Chair Lift and TR 9650 Mobile Combi Lift. Additional models are available upon request.
[7] Mayo Clinic – Tips for choosing and using walkers. Walkers help individuals maintain balance or take weight off an injured leg and are especially useful after surgery or for people with arthritis or balance problems.
[8] Liomar Medical – Walkers page. Liomar offers lightweight, adjustable walkers for adults and paediatric models such as the Rebotec Pluto Posterior Reverse Walker, Fixi and Fox Pediatric Rollator, Rebotec 2‑Wheel Walker, Fixi and Fox YANO Wheeled Forearm Walker, Rebotec YANO Forearm Walker, Walker MF911L, Walker Mf732L and Walker MFGW102; these devices are chosen for durability and to enhance patient safety and independence.
[9] Biomechanical study on forearm‑support walkers. A 2022 study found that using a forearm support walker leads to an upright posture, reduces weight bearing on the lower extremities and improves gait efficiency.
[10] Liomar Medical – Stand‑tall walkers page. Stand‑tall walkers offer enhanced support and promote an upright walking posture while reducing strain on the back and shoulders. Liomar’s models include the Bure XL Upright Walker and Bure Standard Upright Walker, with additional models available upon request.
[11] Liomar Medical – Wishower page. Wishower is a bed‑shower system that provides a complete showering experience for bedridden individuals. The unit is mobile, integrates its own water supply and decontamination system, and reduces hygiene‑care time while improving safety and comfort.
