What to Look for When You Buy a Walker
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Buying a walker can be challenging, as there are many considerations to be made. As it relates to one's health and mobility, it becomes even more important to choose well. A good walker can help in providing that flexibility, ease of movement and a better lifestyle. Yet there remain many choices that need to be made first. For instance, does one choose a walker with slides or are wheels better? We try to help you decide on the walker that could be the next big thing.
The first piece of advice one needs to remember is that walkers are medical devices. Hence, it is critical that one works with a qualified physical or occupational therapist. The expert can help with the decisions that need to be made i.e. Maneuverability, extra stability, etc. There are a few choices on the walker's movement. For instance, there are the standard walkers with no wheels and there is a type that has wheels on the front or both on the front and back for easier mobility. The importance of a therapist who understands your lifestyle thus is extremely important.
Having said that however, let us try and understand the various types of walkers. There is the standard walker. These have no wheels and need to be moved physically. They are sturdy and require upper body strength to move around. Another type of walker has wheels either on the front or both on the front and back for easier maneuverability. The four-three-wheel rollator come with wheels on all four feet or on three legs. They can have additional trays or baskets fitted in. While choosing a walker we need to remember that better maneuverability means less stability and vice versa. You can click here for more info about walkers.
It is important to work with a professional to understand your lifestyle. If you are going to move over uneven surfaces, it is critical to pick a walker with wheels. A standard walker is unusable in an environment with many steps as you will have to lift the walker using physical strength. No matter what walker you choose, it is important to remember that you the user is the main source of energy behind the walker. Hence a sense of direction, balance and the cognitive ability to work with a walker is important.
While choosing a walker, try to understand the environment one lives in. The width and height specifications are important to ensure smooth movement of the walker across the house. Moreover, if one tends to travel a lot, then it is crucial to buy a walker that can fold easily and be stored away in a trunk.
Choosing a walker can be full of difficulties as it involves decisions. A trained professional can help with the selection and facilitation of the walker in your home. With a little judgement and smart decision making, you can be on your way to freedom and flexibility. Look at a walker, choose the right accessories i.e. trays, additional slides, etc., to make the experience even more comfortable.