Mobility issues: Tips for choosing the right type of walker for elderly

Walkers are the mobility equipment designed especially for the elderly and other people who are either injured or having a disability. The reason why you would buy this mobile unit is that you want your loved one to have a little bit of independence in their life and not succumb to the impact of aging. It should meet their needs, make their movement from one place to another easy, help maintain the balance, and enhance the quality of life while assuring them of safety. The job of finding a walker is not as difficult as deciding on the best type. After all, the market is flooded with choices and picking one is nothing short of stealing a drop from the ocean.

In that case, the best thing is to pay attention to their specific features. Better features can ensure better mobility. So, here are a few of these features that you must look for while buying walkers for seniors.

How to buy the right walker for your aging people?

Look for a folding mobility aid

If you want to make the life of your seniors comfortable and independent, then choose a walker that comes with a folding option. This feature not only will ease out storage problem but also make traveling to any destination hassle-free. You can keep them in the car trunk or the backseat effortlessly.

Check the weight of the unit

Another factor that is essential to account for is the weight of the mobility aid. A lightweight walker is easy to carry around. It provides higher user experience and independence. However, they cannot be suitable for uneven terrains. To make sure you get the right walker for your beloved, do take note of the weight of the person who will use it along with the unit’s weight to understand its accommodation capacity.

Consider the balancing power of the senior

Different people have a different level of balancing issues. For example, if someone cannot maintain his balance or stand by himself, then choosing a standard walker that needs to be lifted and placed again on the surface for a forward movement makes sense. But avoid it if the person has shoulder injuries as it will not be possible for him to move walker every time.

Similarly, if the person can balance himself to some extent, then you can consider buying a wheeled walker for him. It can help him move on an uneven surface with improved ease. However, it’s critical to remember that he might lose balance if wheels get too much pressure.

Then again, there are rollators, which are a faster version of the walkers. With the help of a rollator, your loved one can comparatively walk faster on different terrains. But for this, he or she needs to have control over their balance.

So, these are a few considerations that can go a long way in making your buying decision successful and fruitful. In the market, you will come across a standard walker, wheeled walker, rollator with 3 or 4 wheels, knee walker, petite walker, narrow walker, and others. Compare them all against the criteria as mentioned earlier before taking a final call.