What to Look for When Buying the Best Upright Walkers for Seniors
Upright walkers might look the same at first glance. But it’s important that you carefully consider several aspects of it when choosing the best upright walker for your senior:
#1 Quality
Quality should be the FIRST thing you check.
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This mainly involves the frame of the walker. The walker can have a metal, aluminum, or rugged frame.
However, aluminum might be the best option since it’s lightweight compared to a metal frame. It’s also exceptionally durable.
The quality of the wheels is essential too.
Check if they’re all-terrain or if they’re strictly for just the outdoors or indoors.
Other upright walkers are mostly made for the indoors, but some can still handle the outdoors to an extent.
Some companies outright list the materials their walker is made of. For instance, NOVA puts the material for their walker’s seat, hand grip, and others.
If you don’t see it, you can try to ask the company or the distributor.
#2 Safety
Safety should also be another priority when looking for an upright walker.
Part of this is feeling how stable it is. As we grow old, our bones and muscles naturally weaken, which increases our need for good support.
An excellent upright walker should have comfortable gripping handles. An extended forward design in the frame also helps maintain stability by distributing the user’s weight to a wider foundation.
A dual brake system means the equipment has locked rear wheels so your senior can safely sit and stand.
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I’ve found this braking system to be VERY useful since the elderly I take of don’t accidentally crash into things since the brakes are easily within reach.
Anti-skid wheels make them safe to use on any terrain too.
You should also consider the weight capacity of the walker to ensure that it can hold your seniors well when they sit down.
#3 Convenience
Convenience is important for the elderly, especially those with more trouble moving around.
As such, you should check how convenient a walker is for your senior.
One thing to look at is how collapsible it is. Is it a simple folding rollator walker? Or will you need to pull a screw before folding it away?
The weight of the walker is also part of the convenience.
This isn’t a problem when your loved one is walking. But how much effort do they need to make when going up a step or carrying the walker to and from the car?
Also, check if it is easy to lock rear wheels before they sit down.
I noticed that bigger wheels could make it easier to maneuver the walker outdoors. But some companies enlarge the front wheels to give more balance to the user both indoors AND outdoors.
#4 Accessories
Accessories are extras but also improve a user’s experience using the upright walker.
Companies tend to already give accessories for free when you buy a walker. These are typically the detachable polyester storage bag and backrest support.
But you can also look online for more add-ons.
For instance, one of the elderly I took care of getting a removable shopping bag, which is a much bigger storage bag than the regular compact storage.
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You can also get a flashlight, cup holder, or smartphone holder.
If the accessories go with your upright walker, they most likely come with instructions on how you can attach them.
But if you’re getting them separately, it’s best to check if they’re compatible with the walker you have first before buying them.
#5 Brand
Brand loyalty can be high with upright walkers.
That’s because you’ll very rarely need a new one. As such, you’ll most likely get the same walker your loved one used since it’s what they’re already familiar with.
Popular brands can ensure reliability since they’re the industry standard and the go-to of both new and old users.
But since brands have different characteristics, you should also get a walker aligned with the traits YOUR SENIOR will benefit from the most.
For instance, LifeWalker can be called the forerunner of upright walkers. Its product has patent-protected features that would appeal to many elderly.
But if your senior’s priority has a walker with good seat space, then the Medline Simplicity 2 might be a better fit.
#6 Customer Reviews
You can get other people’s opinions on upright walkers too.
The best people to ask are current elderly users. These people can give you more insight that you won’t get from the product’s marketing pitches.
You can also ask those who bought the elderly their upright walkers to find out what made them decide to buy a certain brand.
You can learn both the good and bad sides of a walker with the help of customer reviews.
Knowing what other people say about a product can make or break what you and your senior think about it too.
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Outdoor