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If your doctor has encouraged you to do so, choosing the best walker for you may seem intimidating. However, mastering the nuances of your walker will not only ensure safety and efficiency but significantly enhance your mobility and independence.
Although any walker for seniors is designed to encourage safe movement, it’s crucial to recognize that getting used to using one requires a blend of time, patience, and practice. Choosing the best walker may take time, but being safer, more confident, and mobile will be worth the effort.
This article will guide you through understanding different types of walkers, offering fitting tips, outlining movement techniques, and suggesting beneficial exercises to perform with your walker once you feel comfortable maneuvering with it.
There are many walkers for seniors on the market, each designed to meet diverse needs. It can be easy to get overwhelmed, but don’t worry because you’re not alone! Your healthcare provider or physical therapist will gladly guide you when choosing the best walker.
Here is a brief rundown of the most commonly available walkers available today.
Standard walkers offer the most stability with their four non-skid legs, but they require a bit of lifting to move around. However, some users prefer having walker slides attached to the legs of these walkers to facilitate a more effortless sliding motion, requiring less lifting.
The Nova Medical 2-Button Walker is our recommendation for a solid, lightweight walker. This is a popular choice around the clinic with patients that are getting in and out of vehicles. Its light aluminum frame folds up nicely for travel, collapsing down to a 4″ width. This easily fits in the back seat or trunk. And rather than using a single lock when in use, the two-button locking system makes it feel extra secure.
NOVA Medical 2-Button Walker
Our recommendations are the same items we trust and prescribe to patients. When you buy through links like this on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission to support new content.
In contrast, a rolling walker can provide several options that offer different levels of mobility for various reasons.
A two-wheeled walker with wheels on the front two legs can be an excellent choice for those needing weight-bearing assistance while remaining mobile.
Three-wheeled walkers stand out due to their lightweight design and maneuverability. Still, they tend to be less stable and supportive for balance-challenged people.
If you don’t require leaning on your walker for support, a four-wheeled walker with wheels on all legs may be a viable option. Options like a rollator walker provide a greater range of mobility options. But they are less reliable for stability and support.
If you are someone who can use a little help with mobility, balance, or endurance, but who does not need to fully off-load a lower limb, you are a good candidate for a rollator like this one from Drive Medical. The Drive Medical Folding Aluminum Rollator makes a great rollator for getting you around the house, the park, or around town. This rollator is stable but built for moving. The big 6″ wheels make it able to roll over most terrain without lifting the walker. And there’s storage for shopping, with back support & a padded seat for when you need to rest.
The Drive Medical Folding Rollator
Our recommendations are the same items we trust and prescribe to patients. When you buy through links like this on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission to support new content.
Knee walkers, conversely, are reminiscent of kick scooters and feature a rest area for your knee and small handlebars for steering. These are most commonly recommended as an alternative to crutches for those recovering from knee or ankle surgery and who have one fully functional leg and good balance.
Bariatric walkers are specialized for those who are obese and are often recommended for patients who require a greater width and weight capacity to suit their needs. A bariatric walker is often recommended for people preparing for or having had a bariatric surgery procedure.
Furthermore, some walkers come loaded with features, including brakes, a padded seat, and baskets catering to a range of needs and preferences.
Whatever your choice, ensuring your walker is easy to fold for effortless transport is vital. Many of the simpler models are lightweight and foldable. This is known as a button folding walker., a popular model being the Life Space Saver Walker.
Household objects like dog toys, extension cords, and bunched rugs can cause unexpected hazards for seniors, either with or without a walker.
While using your new walker, prioritizing safety is your primary goal. Here are some essential tips for safely using your walker.
While a standard walker requires a lift-and-place motion, a walker with wheels can be pushed forward without lifting and can sometimes get away if you’re unprepared.
If you have been fitted for a walker without wheels, make sure you feel comfortable repeatedly lifting your walker, and if you have a wheeled walker, ensure that you feel comfortable with its more mobile design.
It’s best always to keep an eye on your posture, refraining from hunching over your walker, as many walker users may become overly reliant on them. If you find yourself leaning or hunching forward more often than usual, consult your doctor to explore methods to become less reliant on your new walker.
Ensure you maintain a safe distance from your walker to prevent imbalances. Always ensure your walker’s four legs or wheels touch the ground before you bear any weight on it. While walkers are designed for safety, it is also possible to trip or lose your balance.
Remember to look forward, not down at your feet, when using your walker. Even with the support of your walker, it is essential to maintain posture and be aware of your surroundings.
Keeping your house free of tripping hazards like cords and loose carpets and maintaining clean and dry floors is vital. While your walker will be helpful, taking proactive measures to keep your home safe from hazards is also essential. If you don’t feel like you can do this, talk to your children, grandchildren, or your doctor to get some assistance.
Regularly inspect your walker and replace worn-out leg tips or wheels as necessary. Walkers are built to the standard of other durable medical equipment but wear out over time. Purchase replacement parts as needed, and always talk to your doctor if you feel unsafe using your walker.
A small basket or bag attached to your walker can come in handy for carrying small items, freeing both hands to grip the walker.
Use chairs with armrests to facilitate the transition between sitting and standing. This can make tricky transitions from seated to standing easier, but ensure your walker is secure once you have your footing.
If you’re struggling to use your walker, don’t hesitate to seek help from your doctor or physical therapist.
Finally, one of the most important actions we can recommend is to confirm that your walker is correctly fitted to your body.
A correctly fitted walker is crucial for its practical use. It ensures that your arms rest comfortably, thereby minimizing stress on your shoulders and back.
If your walker is too low, it may encourage slouching and become a tripping hazard. If your walker is too high, you may have difficulty moving it. You may also encounter neck and shoulder pain from the awkward position.
Step inside your walker’s fitting and check the following two qualities to make sure your walker is appropriately sized.
Consult your physical therapist to help you adjust your walker as needed.
Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. However, this does not impact our reviews or recommendations. We prescribe the same equipment to our patients in the clinic. We always try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you.
