Walking Aids - Walkers

Walkers are the last resort for persons who don't need or want to use a wheelchair but are unable to properly utilize canes or crutches. The walker is essentially a frame that the user takes with them and uses for assistance when their strength, stamina, and/or balance when walking has been harmed by a condition or injury.

A basic walker consists of a metal frame in the shape of a "U," with the "U's" two arms at the user's sides and the "U's" base across the user's front. The arms of the "U" have handles for the user to grab. 

Using a traditional walker entails just stepping into the walker, pushing it forward, stepping into the walker, pushing it forward, and so on. Maintaining balance while moving the walker, some users may not have the strength to lift the walker, and changing direction while walking requires the user to spin the walker while lifting and moving it ahead are all disadvantages of this process.

Wheels can be added to a traditional walker to make it easier to move around, but this modification isn't as effective as using a walker that is intended with wheels.

Some manufacturers have created traditional walkers that fold, which is convenient for storage and transportation but inconvenient for the user. 

Wheels on a walker minimize the need to elevate the walker when traveling and allow for a more natural walking gait than a traditional walker's stop-and-go movement.

Walker with seat is an excellent feature for folks who have trouble walking since it gives them a place to sit and rest when they get fatigued. It's difficult to carry things with a walker because it necessitates the use of both hands. The challenge of transporting objects while using the walker can be solved by having a seat that also serves as a tray. 

Wheeled walkers, which are available in two basic forms, are the norm nowadays. The first is an indoor walker that works best on hard level surfaces or indoors. The second is an outdoor walker that performs well both indoors and outdoors on harder terrain.

Indoor wheeled walkers usually include four wheels (two of which swivel), a seat that doubles as a tray for transporting drinks and meals, a basket for carrying purses and shopping, and a cushioned bar or strap that acts as a backrest while sitting. This type of walker can also be folded for storage and transit. 

For persons who sit in the walker's seat, a padded bar or strap that may be utilized as a backrest is also a useful feature. It provides back support while sitting and prevents the user from leaning too far back into the walker, making it unstable or tipping over.

The basket is positioned under the seat on the model of indoor wheeled walker shown. The walker basket is positioned out in front of the frame on some indoor walker types. The user is looking away from the basket when seated on a walker with the basket out in front, making it dangerous to keep anything of value in the basket.