Olivier d’Arripe, a senior neuropsychologist at the William Lennox Hospital Center (CHWNL), shares his experience and perspective on using the Wheeleo® in patient rehabilitation. He explains how this innovative tool, halfway between a classic cane and a rollator, proves particularly effective for a wide range of patients, including those with severe cognitive impairments. Through his testimonial, he highlights the numerous advantages of the Wheeleo® in terms of mobility and autonomy, both in rehabilitation centers and in daily life.
“What makes the Wheeleo® interesting for me? Compared to a classic cane, you really need to concentrate to keep it straight, pick it up, lift it, and move it forward. This is quite challenging and difficult for many of our patients. On the other hand, the rollator is very smooth to use and very stable, but it’s also very bulky.
The Wheeleo®, for me, combines the advantages of the rollator and the classic cane, without the drawbacks. It avoids the bulkiness of the rollator and the difficulty of use as well as the cognitive load of a classic cane, which is important because, as a neuropsychologist, I’m sensitive to this issue.
Who would I recommend the Wheeleo® to? I think it can be suitable for a large number of patients who have difficulty walking. What’s really interesting is that it’s accessible even to people with significant cognitive impairments. At William Lennox, we have patients with severe cognitive, praxic, or dysexecutive disorders (for example, problems with organization and planning), but it remains simple to use and therefore suitable for almost all patients.
Personally, my father, who doesn’t have cognitive problems or a stroke, also found this walking aid very easy to use. So I think it’s accessible to everyone. Even though we use it a lot in neurology, I feel it could be useful for many other types of patients.
Regarding the place of the Wheeleo® in a rehabilitation center, I think it definitely has its place. Maybe at the beginning, we’ll prioritize more substantial aids, but very quickly, we can introduce the Wheeleo®, which is much less bulky and easier to use. It allows patients to continue training outside of rehabilitation sessions because, although we try to maximize sessions, the patient is alone most of the time.
With the Wheeleo®, they can continue to walk and exercise without putting themselves in danger and minimizing the risk of falling. For all these reasons, I think the Wheeleo® really has its place. It shows that there are alternatives to the classic cane and walker. The fact that it has been tested and implemented in a rehabilitation center proves its value.”
Olivier d’Arripe – Neuropsychologist, CHWNL
The Wheeleo® presents itself as an innovative and versatile solution, combining the advantages of the classic cane and the rollator, while avoiding their drawbacks. Its ease of use, even for patients with cognitive impairments, makes it a tool suitable for a wide variety of profiles, ranging from neurological patients to those simply needing support for walking.
Less bulky and more functional than traditional walking aids, the Wheeleo® allows patients to maintain their autonomy and continue training outside of rehabilitation sessions, thus reducing the risk of falls. Tested in rehabilitation centers, it proves its effectiveness and relevance in supporting patients towards regained mobility.
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