Types of Walkers for Older Adults (and How to Choose the Right Option)
If you feel unstable when you walk, you may be able to get around safer with a walker. If you have mobility challenges, whether from surgery, a broken leg, or a long-term condition, a walker will bear some of your weight and enable you to move independently. Mobility aids, like walkers, can make all the difference in your recovery or daily life.
What is the purpose of a walker?
Impairments, whether temporary or permanent, can make movement difficult. You may feel unstable and even fall without some support. A basic walker consists of a metal frame that can help support you, give you balance, and allow you to walk with a normal gait.
Conditions that necessitate a walker might include the following:
A recent injury or surgery
A debilitating illness or condition, such as heart disease or emphysema
Conditions like multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, Parkinson's, or arthritis that compromise mobility
Basophobia (fear of falling)
Loss of strength
Balance issues
By giving you a frame for balance support, a walker makes walking less difficult. In some cases, walkers may help you build back your endurance and muscle strength. You can become more mobile even if you have trouble breathing, have heart disease, or experience fatigue.
Many older adults resist using a walker because it makes them feel like they are losing their independence. However, simple mobility aids can help a person recapture confidence and control while reducing their fear of falling. In other words, they often actually give people their independence back!
What should you consider when buying a walker?
Selecting the best walker depends on your physical condition, preference, and budget. The most basic walkers cost less than $30 on Amazon but may not provide the support you need. Your healthcare provider, physical therapist, or occupational therapist are your best resources for determining what to look for.
What different types of walkers are available for individual needs?
Not every person with mobility issues has the same needs. Different types of walkers for seniors are available to meet specific needs. Before considering what you need in a walker, you should acquaint yourself with the available styles and features.
Standard walkers
The most basic type of walker has four legs with a rubber tip on each. The design offers the most stability, but the user must lift it with each step. (Some people put tennis balls on the end of standard walkers to allow them to slide.) If you need maximum support and have limited strength or balance, you should opt for a standard walker. But if you have limited upper body strength, you should opt for something else.
Two-wheel walkers
Equipped with wheels on the front two legs, the two-wheeled walker is easier to maneuver than a standard walker. The walker requires less effort to move, so it works well if you need some support. Both this type of walker and the standard type often come in collapsible styles with a button (button-folding walker) or a trigger (trigger-release folding walker.)
Three-wheel walkers
Featuring two wheels in the front and one in the back, the three-wheel rollator walker is a hybrid walker that blends the features of a standard walker and a rollator. It is designed to offer more support than a regular walker but is less cumbersome than a rollator. This device has no seat but may have a basket or storage pouch like rollators.
Four-wheel rollator walkers
This four-wheeled rolling walker also features a seat to allow the user to sit and rest. As it is not a wheelchair, you should not sit on the seat when the rollator is moving. As it moves easily, it offers the most mobility—but with less stability. Rollator walkers frequently come with accessories such as baskets, storage pouches, cup holders, and brakes.
Hemi walkers
Also known as a side walker, the hemi walker is a small mobility aid with three or four legs and a handle that supports one side of the body. People recovering from an injury or stroke often use them. They’re also used by those with limited use of one arm or hand.
Knee walkers
Also called a knee scooter or mobility scooter, a knee walker has a platform to kneel on and handlebars and hand brakes for easy steering, navigating, and stopping. It is a safe alternative to crutches.
All-Terrain walkers
For seniors who spend a lot of time walking outside over grass, concrete, bumpy roads, or gravel, an all-terrain walker makes it easier to move over uneven surfaces. These walkers have large rubber wheels that won't slip and absorb shock better.
Bariatric walker
Most walkers have a generous weight limit. Popular models support up to 350 pounds, but bariatric walkers have higher weight limits for just a few dollars more. They are wider and have bigger wheels or double wheels for better support. Bariatric rollators also have bigger seats. You can buy most types of walkers in bariatric models.
Upright walker
Basic walkers put pressure on the wrists and hands, so you may hunch forward when you use them. With an upright walker, you should stand up straight and put the pressure on your forearms and back. You maintain better posture and even feel more confident as you walk.
What features should a walker have?
When selecting the right walker, you should look for features that fit your needs and preferences.
If you have a standard or wheeled walker, you can always add tennis balls or glide caps (or skis) to the legs to make the walker work better without scratching your floor. Or, if you have a rollator, you can add a basket or cup holder. Other features, mentioned below, are built-in, so you need to choose carefully.
Height adjustability: The walker should be adjustable to the user's height to ensure proper posture, comfort, and safety. If you are very short or very tall, look for one with the height adjustment you need.
Weight capacity: The walker should be able to support your weight comfortably. Many walker frames are made of plastic, but steel frames are stronger. Most bariatric walkers use steel.
Handlebar grip: The handlebars should be comfortable and easy to grip. You may prefer plastic or softer foam hand grips. Rollators should be easy to grip while engaging or releasing the brake.
Brakes: If the walker has brakes, they should be easy to use.
Seat (for rollators): If the walker has a seat, it should be comfortable and sturdy.
Wheel size and material: Wheels on walkers used inside are usually 5" in diameter and made of polyurethane. Some heavy-duty walkers have two wheels on each leg. Those for uneven terrain have larger wheels made of rubber with treads.
Folding mechanism: A folding mechanism can make the walker easier to transport and store, even in small spaces. If you choose a standard or wheeled walker, you can collapse it by pressing a button or squeezing a trigger release.
What three things should you consider when choosing a walker?
When you have mobility issues, it may be hard to admit that you need a walker or any other device to help you walk and maintain your balance. If you've had surgery, you might need to use a walker just for a short time. Many people think using a device is an admission that you are older, but once people begin using them, they find that they feel more independent.
Using the right walker can improve the quality of your life. Here are three things to consider.
Does your doctor or physical or occupational therapist recommend a walker? If so, they can prescribe one. After you get it, they may help you learn to use it for the best results.
What is the right type of walker for you? After a professional recommends a walker, ask someone to measure you from the crease in your wrist to the floor. Wear the type of shoes you usually wear and stand tall, with your arms at your side during the process. You can adjust most devices to match this measurement. You should also think about the different types of walkers and their different features and choose one that fits your specific needs.
How will a walker affect your lifestyle? If you live a relatively sedentary life and spend most time at home, having a basic walker or rollator can make moving around the house safe and easy. Do you like to walk, go out with friends, or take your grandkids to the park? A device that offers the best balance on grass or uneven terrain might be the best walker choice. And if you're a traveler, you may value one that is lightweight and collapsible. Getting the best walker will help you continue your lifestyle and maybe even make it better.
Does Medicare pay for walkers and rollators?
If you need a walker or rollator, buying one can be one more expense you don't need. Fortunately, Medicare will pay for most types. As long as your healthcare provider prescribes a walker and says it’s medically necessary, Medicare covers walkers as durable medical equipment. You must buy your walker from an approved Medicare supplier to receive coverage. If you’ve met your annual Pat B deductible, you only have to pay 20% of the cost.
If you are looking at a $50 purchase, you might skip the hassle and pick one up at a store or buy one online. However, it is worth going through Medicare to buy or even rent one for more costly options.