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Buying Guide: Walkers

Health Products For You

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

Types of Walkers

Grip Selection

Size & Specifications

Factors to Consider

Walker Accessories

1

2

3

4

Introduction

Walkers Buying Guide

Independence is important. The more mobile a person is the more independent they

feel. Walkers provide that extra freedom and confidence. It helps to stabilize the person

by picking up the weight a little and scooting it forward, allowing the user to be sure of

the next step.

There are many different types of walkers available in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Safety, comfort and additional features available should be taken into account before

making the right choice.

Most walkers are made of aluminium or stainless steel. Walkers are usually height

adjustable. They have hand grips, and rubber tips at the end of the legs. Some walkers

come with wheels on the front legs making it easier to move the walker forward. A

relatively smooth terrain enables smooth operation and safety. Overall, a walker is one

of the best mobility aids that provides stability while helping maintain that feeling of

independence

Types of Walkers

CHAPTER ONE

Types of Walkers

Walkers Buying Guide

Standard Walkers

Standard walkers are popularly known as medical walkers. They are well-known

because they are easy to handle and come in a variety of shapes, sizes and color.

To use standard walkers, the person must have a little upper body strength as they

need to be lifted to move. It is not recommended to use standard walkers on long

trips as it can be tiring to lift it for every step. They also impede the pace of

walking. These walkers have four non-skid, rubber-tipped legs to provide stability.

They need to be picked up for them to move. Wheel less walkers offer the most

stability of all and are primarily used to avoid falls. Since these walkers can be

difficult to manage on uneven surfaces, they are a good choice for those people

who stay at home and use walkers occasionally. They are light, easy to carry

around, and fit into small places. The standard walkers are the least expensive,

making them a good choice for those who are on a budget.

Types of Walkers

Walkers Buying Guide

2 Wheel Walkers

2 Wheel Walkers are also known as rolling walkers. As the name suggests a 2

wheel walker is a walker with 2 wheels at the two front legs. The best part of

rolling walker is that it allows the person to move at a faster pace as it is not

required to lift them with each step, which makes it best for people with balance

issues. Rolling walkers are less stable than standard walkers still they prove to be

effective. This type of walker is lightweight like the wheel-less version. The wheels

on these walkers do not swivel, so the walker can not simply roll away. The walker

can only move without effort in forward and backward directions. The user can lift

the back legs a little to move the walker and stop it by putting those legs back

down. People who are planning for extra support but are likely to walk freely

around, rolling walkers can be a good option for them.

Types of Walkers

Walkers Buying Guide

Folding Walkers

Folding walkers are specially meant to be collapsible. This makes them easy to

store and transport. They are designed for people on the go who need additional

support to maintain balance or stability while walking. These collapsible walkers

can easily travel with them in a car, bus, train or even a flight. They have easy-to-

use, push-button mechanisms that let walkers fold easily. Each side folds

independently to allow easy movement through narrow spaces, compact storage

and lateral access. These walkers also feature side cross braces that provide extra

stability, height-adjustable legs and replaceable tips. They are usually constructed

of strong, lightweight one inch anodized aluminium tubing. They are good to use

while travelling and available in both standard and 2-wheel versions.

Types of Walkers

Walkers Buying Guide

Seated Walkers

Seated Walkers are developed for people normally using a walker, but are unable

to sit down because the seat is not behind the person. Seated Walkers addresses

this problem by providing a high seat behind the person as they walk. The seats is

usually adjustable and is placed high ,right under the buttocks of the person to sit

on when rest is required. They are ideal for people who prefer to walk longer

distances, but need frequent rest.

Grip Selection

CHAPTER TWO

Walker’s Grip Selection

Walkers Buying Guide

Most walkers come with plastic grips, but you might want to consider foam grips

or soft grip covers. They are a good choice if your hands tend to get sweaty. For

patients with arthritis or other joint pains or nerve problems who have trouble

grasping with fingers prefer a larger grip. Choosing the right grip relieves

unnecessary stress on patient’s joints and helps prevent joint deformities. It must

be made sure that the chosen grip is secure to prevent a slip while using the

walker.

Size & Features

CHAPTER THREE

Size & Features of Walkers

Walkers Buying Guide

Walker Height- The correct walker must fit user’s arms comfortably. It is important

because this reduces stress on user’s shoulders and back as they use the walker.

To identify the correct height, user should step inside walker and:

Check your elbow bend- Keep shoulders relaxed and place hands on the grips.

Check if user’s elbows bend at a comfortable angle of approx 15 degrees.

Check your wrist height- Stand inside the walker and relax arms at sides. Check if

the top of the walker grip is lining up with the crease on the inside of user’s wrist.

Walker Weight- For those who have difficulty with lifting and balance, the overall

weight of the walker should be a prime concern. Check the weight of the walker

according to the balancing and lifting capabilities of the user. A normal walker can

weight upto 9 lbs, with weight capacity of upto 500 lbs.

Walker Width- Not all walkers fit through bathroom doors. Check the width of

user’s bathroom doorways. Walkers are sometimes 24 inches wide.

Walker Wheels and glides- For indoor use, small wheels 3 to 5 inches in diameter

are good. For outdoor use, larger wheels of 6 to 8 inches should be preferred. Tires

that are too hard may slip, so softer tires are safer even though they tend to wear

faster. If a walker uses glides, make sure they won't scratch floors. In deciding

whether to go with a standard or wheeled walker, consider whether user will be

able to handle having wheels. The user should be able to control both the wheels

and brakes effectively.

Factors to Consider

CHAPTER FOUR

Factors to Consider

Walker Buying Guide

Do you travel? - Consider Ease and safety of folding while purchasing the

walker. It is recommended to have the person who'll be using the walker practice

folding and unfolding the walker to make sure they're comfortable with the

process. Beware of trigger-style releases on a folding frame. Wheeled walkers are

recommended for users who travel and prefer to move freely outdoors.

Advice of physical therapist -If you are under a physical therapist care, it is

important to get their advice and recommendations on how to use it safely. This is

especially valuable if the walker is needed because of an injury.

Warranty and parts availability - Warranties vary among different manufactures.

It can range from 1 year upto life time warranty. If a walker is used regularly,

wheels need to be replaced after they wear off. Using a walker with worn or

damaged parts, can put you at risk of an injury.

Walker Accessories

CHAPTER FIVE

Walker Accessories

Walkers Buying Guide

Walker Bags -

Walker bags are the most wanted accessory for walkers and rollators. They are

useful in carrying belongings to the distance user wills to walk. They are light

weight and come in amazing designs and variety.

Walker Trays -

Walker trays are designed to transport food and beverage easily. They are easy to

manage and light weight to attach.

Walker Accessories

Walkers Buying Guide

Walker Cup and Cane Holder -

Walker Cup And Cane Holder is made with durable, lightweight plastic and also

acts as a cup holder. They are usually Latex free.

Walker Baskets-

Walker baskets usually attaches to the walker with velcro. It attaches quickly and

easily without tools and fits most walkers.

“Freedom (n.): To ask nothing. To expect nothing. To depend on nothing.”

Ayn Rand, The Fountainhead “

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