Walkers and rollators (four-wheel walkers) are among the most popular mobility solutions used by seniors. Both lightweight and sturdy, walkers of all varieties are regularly seen as the most practical ways to help those with mobility issues to get around safely. Naturally, walkers allow older adults to retain their balance while walking. However, it’s important to note that practicing walker safety is always a must.
It’s important to make your walker the right height.
We all come in different shapes and sizes. And this is why walkers are generally adjustable. Meeting the exact specifications of its user is a walker’s top priority. So to enable your walker to fulfill its duty in providing a safe mobility option, it’s important to follow a few steps. On the MyHealth.Alberta.ca website, the Government of Alberta shares those steps.
To get the right height for your walker, have your shoes on and place the walker closely in front of you. Stand up straight, relax your shoulders and make sure the hand grips of the walker are level with your wrists. You can adjust the walker by loosening the knobs outside of the hand grips. If there are bolts under the knobs, remove them first. Lower or raise the walker to your desired height. Ideally, your elbows should be slightly bent when holding the hand grips.
Make sure that you don’t block your vision.
Rollators aren’t just great for helping elderly individuals walk. They’re also used for sitting down. Rollators are highly sought after because they offer the double benefit of providing stability while walking and a place to sit for when rest is needed. Many users also store items in baskets connected to their four-wheeled walkers. It’s imperative, however, that such items do not block the vision of the user.
“If you use a basket or bag, don’t put it in the line of vision; keep it underneath or on the side, so as not to obstruct the flooring in front of you or be a distraction,” advises Cindy of CreatingDailyJoys.com, “This is especially true for Alzheimer’s patients, where everything is a distraction, so I don’t keep anything extra on Mom’s walker.”
Always walk with great care.
For obvious reasons, a walker’s user must we mindful of where he/she is walking. It’s important to maintain your balance by walking closely to the walker with both hands on its handles. For rollators, be sure to get used to using its brakes. Both walkers and rollators can help you feel safe when walking on your own. However, while walkers can be used indoors and outdoors, they are not meant to be used for rough terrain.
We imagine that you may have a number of questions about walkers and rollators in order to determine which type would make the best fit for your mobility issue. If so, please don’t hesitate to contact Advantage Home Health Solutions to ask them. Simply give us a call at 403-460-5438. You may also email us by filling out the form on our Contact page!
