Ambulatory aids like medical walkers have become an essential part of many seniors’ everyday life. Medical walkers are mobility aids for the elderly who have difficulty keeping their balance when walking or standing and provide increased independence for the user.

There are several reasons why these people have difficulty staying stable or balanced, whether walking or standing. Chronic arthritis, osteoporosis, muscular weakness, and traumas are only a few causes of ambulatory problems in the elderly.

Many seniors who can still walk despite these ailments will not want to rely on wheelchairs to get around since doing so would mean giving up their freedom of movement. As a result, medical walkers are the ideal solution for many seniors.

Types of medical walkers

There are two types of medical walkers: regular mobility walkers and medical walkers (rollators) with wheels. The former is just a four-legged structure with two handles on opposite sides that the user grips for balance. These handles are joined by two horizontal bars that can be used as a backrest if the conventional medical walker has a seat which is unusual for these models. They are ideal for newcomers to become acquainted with medical walkers.

Wheeled medical walkers come in two-, three-, or four-wheel configurations.

• Two-wheel medical walkers have wheels on the two front legs with rubber stoppers on the two back legs to prevent the medical walker from rolling away on its own.
• With a single wheel in front and two back wheels, the three-wheel medical walker is ideal for navigating narrower passages in your home. However, balance may be a challenge.
• Finally, the four-wheel medical walkers (rollator) are the best of the three as it is well-balanced, has a built in breaking system and normally has a seat.

How to use medical walkers

To use a typical medical walker, the person raises the device and places it in front of them, then takes a step, lifts the walker, and repeats the procedure for as long as possible. Rolling medical walkers are a better alternative since pushing is done instead of lifting, which is easier on the senior user. In addition, brakes on a rollator allow the user to prevent the medical walker from rolling on any surface.

How to choose a medical walker

Before purchasing their first medical walkers, users should check with their physical therapist or physician for advice about what sort of medical walkers they will benefit the most from. Aside from that, the user should make sure that the walker they are interested in is lightweight and will support their weight. Mobility Walkers are assistive devices to provide reassurance and stability to the user and are not generally a load bearing product and should be used as such.

Contact Medop CC for details

Medop CC offers a range of medical equipment, wheelchairs, and medical walkers. Get in touch with one of our specialists today to find out more about our home medical equipment on offer.