Tag: medical walkers

Medical walkers are ambulatory aids which are designed for elderly users who have problems with mobility. Problems with mobility among seniors arise because they become prone to diseases that tend to affect walking or to sit down such as arthritis, weakening of bone structure, or little loss of muscle strength. If they can still stand and walk, medical walkers are there to assist them.

Types of walkers for seniors

STANDARD WALKERS FOR SENIORS

These are the simplest of all walkers as they consist of 4 legs with handles on both sides which the user will grip to assist them in standing. These handles are connected across by horizontal bars. These walkers may feature seats that can be used for resting and other accessories that can further make their use more interesting.

To use this product, the user will lift it up, place it a little bit in front then the senior takes a short step forward then does the same thing over and over. If the user experiences a lessened strength the arm muscles, he or she will tire easily hence a standard walker that has a seat will better suit this type of user so that he or she can take rests in between its use when there are no available seats around.

FOUR WHEEL WALKERS

This type of wheeled walker is a slight modification of the standard four-legged walker. Instead of front legs, this walker has two front wheels while the back legs have rubber tips to prevent damaging the carpet or the floors. This type of product may feature seats and other accessories to make it more useful.

ONE WHEEL WALKERS

These walkers resemble a wheelbarrow having one wheel in front and two at the back These models don’t have seats, but they are good for maneuvering small or narrow spaces indoors and smooth surfaces.

WHEEL WALKERS

They are more comfortable to use than the other walkers because they will usually have a basket usually under the seat where you can put your things or reading materials so that you can bring them easily with you. Another plus factor is that these medical walkers with four wheels come with accessories such as zippered bags and trays and there are companies who manufacture this type of walkers that has parts that can be upgraded such as brakes and hand grips.
To be able to find the right walkers for seniors consult a physical therapist to find out what sort of walker suits you best. The therapist will make prescriptions with the following information which he or she will get from you: your weight, height, the width of your body, your overall strength, and what is causing your mobility issues.