Elderly Walkers Improve Your Life

By Kay William


As a temporary or as a permanent aid for people having difficulties balancing, elderly walkers can really make their life easier, and lower the risk of falling. There are basically three types of walkers. A standard one without wheels, with four rubber made shoe stop bases, provides the best stability, especially if you need to place your weight there and use it also as a help for standing up.

A two-wheel walker allows you to place your weight on it as well, but you don't need to lift it up while walking. It can be easily pushed around, and those two legs without wheels provide stability and prevent the chance of rolling. A four-wheel type is made for people who don't have so much troubles balancing, but they need some help walking. It will allow them to move faster and provide additional safety.

There are several types of grips available to choose from. Plastic grips are the most common choice, and they come in various sizes. Soft or foam made grip covers could be better solution for people whose hands tend to get sweaty. If you have troubles grasping, thanks to different joint problems or maybe arthritis, larger grips will improve your safety.

Properly adjusted walker height is essential for comfortable use. While standing within it, with your hands placed on the grips, your elbows should be bent at the angle of 15 degrees. This way the stress on your shoulders and your back will be minimized. If it is too low, you will be forced to lean forward, and if it is too high, it won't be comfortable using it, and it won't provide enough stability.

You should never lean over the walker while using it, to avoid stressing your shoulders and back. It isn't designed for climbing stairs, and you should never try to use it for it. The whole principle is simple. Push the walker in front of you, slowly, one step only, and then step into it and repeat the process. Move slowly, especially when changing directions.

Various accessories will make your life much easier. Nice, large pouch attached to the side is great for placing your papers in. You can also attach a food tray on it, a basket or even a seat. This way you will be able to carry your things with you, you just have to make sure not to overload your walker.

Maintenance is very important, and you should check the state of your equipment regularly. Worn out parts and loose wheels can increase your chances of falling, and you should prevent that from happening. Make sure the rubber shoe-stop bases or heels are always in a good condition, as well as the grips.

Elderly walkers will give you a great chance to be independent once again. Whether your problems are associated with your health condition or your age, it will be nice to feel free, and to move around without needing help from others. Simple, light-weight walker can really make your life much better.




About the Author: