The walker for seniors has the main purpose of assisting the walk, lightening the weight on the legs, and helping the balance, thus avoiding slips and falls. To be a valid help and give the elderly a certain autonomy, the walker must be sturdy and stable and handy and simple to use.
The walker’s use requires a minimum effort on the user, who must continue walking and carrying out basic tasks independently. If it is true that walking becomes tiring, stopping moving is even more harmful.
The use of the walker for seniors can also be temporary due to fractures, accidents, or traumas. In these cases, an economic walker is enough to support a few rehabilitation months for people of all ages. Instead, buying a walker for the elderly requires more attention to their condition.
Depending on the clinical conditions and the doctor’s advice, you can easily determine if and for how long the elderly is actually able to walk and, consequently, you can understand which walker is better to buy, if only indoor or outdoor, with or without wheels.
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How to choose a walker for seniors: Types and Characteristics
To choose the walker for seniors, we must consider the user’s conditions, weight, strength, and balance. Think about where you will use it, whether mainly at home or outdoors, whether there is a need for a seat or not. In this way, we can better evaluate which type of walker to buy.
Walker without wheels
Wheelless walkers are the classic medical devices supplied to the hospital. They are very light and generally made of aluminum. The patient should slightly lift the walker and move it forward a few steps for movement.
These models are also suitable for convalescing people who have to recover from injury or illness. The wheelless walker is essentially an indoor walker, as it works well on a flat floor with no obstacles. The tips are equipped with non-slip rubber pads for a perfect fit on all types of flooring.
Walker with wheels
The wheels are inserted on different types of rollators. For example, a very light aluminum walker can have four small wheels or two small wheels in front and two rear-mounted feet. The wheels facilitate movement, but at the same time, those who maneuver must have a certain balance and strength.
In some cases, the wheels are self-locking, i.e., they move with a minimum of thrust, but they lock to allow the older person to rest on the walker while moving the steps.
Walker with wheels. The wheels are inserted on different types of rollators—for example, a very light aluminum walker. The wheels facilitate movement but, at the same time, those who have a certain balance and strength. In some cases, the wheels are self-locking, they move with a minimum of thrust, but then they lock to move the steps.
Walker with seat
The walker equipped with a seat is designed for those with little autonomy and can walk for short distances. As mentioned above, this type of walker is equipped with four solid wheels and relative brakes positioned on the handles. The brakes are easy to operate even by people with limited mobility or arthritis problems in their hands.
The walker with an outdoor seat is a walker that allows the elderly to go outdoors without fear of getting tired. There can be a padded bar that acts as a backrest and a storage basket in addition to the seat.
Folding walker
The best walker models, with or without wheels, are also foldable. This allows you to store them in a small space and to be able to transport them comfortably by car.
Adjustable height
The adjustable height is essential to allow the walker’s correct use without straining the arms’ back. Almost all walkers provide the ability to adjust it in height, generally between 30 and 40 inches from the ground. You need to check the minimum and maximum height for each model to ensure it is right.
Maximum capacity
The maximum flow indicates the maximum weight of the user. If it exceeds 220 lbs, it is important to check the details of the product. In general, the walkers have a range that can go from 220 up to 396 lbs depending on the models. Although lighter, the aluminum walkers are the ones that provide greater reach because they only provide the support of the arms.
While the walkers with seats, having to support all the weight, generally indicate a 300 – 330 lbs range. In this case, it is also necessary to deal with the session’s dimensions that may not be suitable for everyone.
[divider style="solid" top="10" bottom="10"]The best indoor and outdoor walkers for seniors
Below is selecting the best-recommended walker for seniors, in a price range between $30 and $200.
- ROLLATOR WALKER WITH SEAT AND 6" WHEELS - The Medline Rollator features a padded seat that...
- ROLLING WALKER EASILY FOLDS - Easily fold the Medline Steel Rollator Walker for convenient...
- CONVENIENT STORAGE BAG UNDER SEAT - Simply lift up the padded seat to access the storage...
- Rolling Walker with Seat: Stable, strong and stylish, this steel rollator features a...
- Wheeled Walker: Four 7.5-inch caster wheels give you a stable roll and are great for...
- Adjustable Components: Easy-turn lever allows you to quickly adjust the height of the...
- Wheeled Walker: Designed for safety and convenience, this rolling walker features...
- Quality Construction: Constructed from sturdy aluminum, this adult walker offers maximum...
- Premium Features: Our bariatric walker features 5" wheels, a vinyl contoured hand grip,...
- STURDY CONSTRUCTION: Designed for adults. This sturdy aluminum walker has a weight...
- PUSH-BUTTON,HEIGHTADJUSTABLELEGS: Quickly and easily adjust the height from 32"· 38" to...
- LIGHTWEIGHT. EASY-FOLD DESIGN: Lightweight walker weighs just 6 lbs. with 2-button...
- 【Stable & Strong】 Z21 Walkers for seniors weigh only 19.4lb, designed for easy...
- 【Ultimate Comfort】Exclusively designed bionic seat is designed ergonomically according...
- 【For All Terrain】The Rolling Walker is equipped with premium puncture-proof tires,...
- Folding Walker: Designed for safety and convenience, our walkers feature push-button...
- Quality Construction: Constructed for maximum stability from sturdy aluminum, this adult...
- Premium Features: Our bariatric walker features an improved cross frame that allows the...
- Walkers for Seniors
- Walker with Wheels, Rolling Walker
- Weighing Up To 350 Pounds
- FSA or HSA Eligible: The Loyoda walker supports up to 350 lbs, enhancing mobility for...
- Space Saving and Transport: The trigger release mechanism ensures effortless operation,...
- Perfect for Most Floors: Large 5" wheels and skis glide smoothly over various surfaces....
- DESIGNED TO BEST SUPPORT YOU – This lightweight folding rollator walker comes in black...
- COMFORTABLE WHEREVER YOU GO – Walker features a standard 12 x 12" padded seat that sits...
- FOLDABLE FRAME – 14 lb. aluminum frame makes this walker incredibly easy to transport;...
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