When it comes to mobility support, the walker is the flagship choice for most people. Walkers allow people to maintain a level of mobility and independence despite medical issues causing their loss of mobility. Walkers allow people to use their upper body strength to provide some additional support and to reduce the stress on legs and feet.
There are many different types of walkers and aids which people can choose from. While many people still use canes, there are options which provide a lot more stability than a single cane. The evolution of mobility support continues to this day and will continue to provide ease of movement to many people.
A standard walker is typically the first choice that people may decide on. A standard walker needs to be calibrated for someone based on several features. A person’s height, strength and lifting capability matter. Walkers made of heavy materials aren’t going to be useful.
A standard walker can come in multiple styles. There are heavy duty versions as well as junior sizes for smaller people. Of all the walkers, standard walkers provide the most support to someone due to their sturdiness and lack of wheels.
Moving on from standard walkers ios wheeled walkers. The name essentially gives all the information you need to know about it. It’s a standard walker on some wheels. This provides much easier movement in many locations. Wheeled walkers will typically have two non-swivelling wheels on the front legs of the walker. This makes for easier movement outside, and in uneven areas. The stability is still quite strong.
The term for a walker with four wheels is a rollator. These give people the biggest possibility for movement. This does come at a cost however. Rollators are more difficult to handle, since the wheels can swivel. In addition, rollators require brakes on the wheels, meaning they can be more difficult for people to operate. Recently, most models have been fitted with handbrakes in an effort to reduce this problem.
Many rollators also offer a seat that can fold out to provide a location for sitting when there’s been too much pressure on the person to stay upright for too long. Locking the wheels turns it into essentially a portable chair. Others can come with baskets to make shopping and carrying easier.
When choosing which walker to purchase, the first thing that needs to be considered is a person’s lifestyle. People who like to go out and do a lot of things outside or travel need a walker that is transportable. A walker which folds easily makes more sense for car, bus or plane trips. A walker with a seat can be important for people who want to get outside and be physical.
Upper body strength can also play a role. There’s always a time when the walker will need to be picked up a little bit. Uneven floors or small steps happen. A walker which is made of lightweight materials is easier, but may provide a little less stability.
In the end, the most important thing when choosing a walker is finding one that feels comfortable in the hands, provides the mobility needed and provides the support a person needs.
