Does a Walker really help? All comments welcome.

Well, just came from getting the mail, did NOT use a walker, just
my cane....and it is very hard on me physically, just the effort
of walking down and back 30 foot approx, so dont know if I'll
try the walker, may be more problem than assist.....getting to
the point I'm nervous about even stepping out......:(
 
hawkdon said:
Well, just came from getting the mail, did NOT use a walker, just
my cane....and it is very hard on me physically, just the effort
of walking down and back 30 foot approx, so dont know if I'll
try the walker, may be more problem than assist.....getting to
the point I'm nervous about even stepping out......:(
Click to expand...
It might be best to wait until someone is able to go out with you.

Until you get used to how it handles, the brakes, etc… it will probably be more tiring than your familiar cane.

I think that once you get used to it you will be pleased with it.

🤗
 

I would be lost without mine. I use it for everything. When my grocery delivery arrives downstairs you would be amazed to see how many bags I can pack on it. Honestly my walker made my life so much easier. For years I had been using a cane and I think it affects your mobility and not in a good way. The walker made walking easier and safer. Getting up in the middle of the night to visit the bathroom I don't have to worry about losing my balance and falling.
 
An oversized one with large wheels, a seat and a basket to carry stuff is a good idea. If you tire at the zoo your buddy can push you while you rest in the chair. You have your bottle of water in the basket so you need not wait in line for 45 minutes. It is much more versatile than a wheel chair and a power chair.

If you go on a chilly morning you have a place to rest your fall coat.
 
Being a forward thinker, I saved my mother's walker in case I ever need one I won't have to purchase one. She's been gone 20 years this month.
I don't trust those rolling walkers. I can picture one of those things getting away from me and falling on my face. :LOL: It's convenient that they have seats though. A friend of mine used hers in a department store and a sales person was pushing her in it, while her daughter went to get the car and somehow it tipped back. She fell and hit her head and had to be taken to the E.R.
 
My dear friend surprised me with an early Christmas present: a Medline rollator. So far I have only practiced scooting around the kitchen. It will come in handy for waiting in line at early voting and at appointments where the parking is not close enough to the office.
What a generous and thoughtful gift! He has one just like it.
I was feeling so pathetic and alone when the Amazon truck arrived.
Wow! Somebody cares!
rollator.jpgrollator.jpg
 
I had a lovely walk today with my walker for about half an hour.
We had a sumner like day and it was great to get out.
Would be lost without it however I prefer the full straight handles rather than slope which my first walker, a rental, had.
The straight handles give me more stability.

Similar to this one and of course it folds up easily

Screen Shot 2024-10-18 at 6.58.36 PM Small.jpeg
 
GoneFishin said:
Went to the store today about a 1mi round walk with my brand new shiny walker/rollator. Legs don't hurt which they normally would but back does. I must be leaning too far forward. I'll have to be aware of my posture next time.
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When using a wheely walker the arms should be straight (not bent). This will result in the back being straight. That way the back does not tire.
 
Warrigal said:
When using a wheely walker the arms should be straight (not bent). This will result in the back being straight. That way the back does not tire.
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Watching folks with walkers has made me wonder if they are using them properly. So many people are bent over. That doesn’t seem right. When my mother got hers, the nurse said that one size doesn’t fit all and they have to be fitted individually. Makes sense to me.
 
Big wheels, basket and seat, its handier than the hell life of a wheelchair, handier than a Power chair except for crossing RR tracks.
But if you choose it's a great way to go out either way .
 
Jules said:
Watching folks with walkers has made me wonder if they are using them properly.
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Me too.
Jules said:
So many people are bent over. That doesn’t seem right.
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The risk of losing your balance and falling over "backwards" makes leaning at least slightly forward (bent forward) seem advisable and probably natural. There is also the possibility of lower-back stress pain when standing completely up-right.
Jules said:
..... the nurse said that one size doesn’t fit all and they have to be fitted individually. Makes sense to me.
Click to expand...
Yes.
 
DH is tall so he needed a walker that was meant for a tall man. We found one at a yard sale, and it works very well to keep him from falling. He is so unsteady on his feet and has fallen several times, he would think he could do without the walker and down he would go. He has gotten so afraid of falling (I think) that he refuses to leave the house.

He put a clear plastic box on the seat so he can carry things in it, we laughingly call it his pick up truck,
 
Walker need to be height adjusted; arms slightly bent at the elbow, relaxed arms.

ALL older persons, 68+ need to do balance and core exercises everyday to avoid falls.
The exercises can be done using a walker if you must use one.
"Grow Young Fitness" is a good one on U-Tube; the guy is pretty good.
 
ere is a link to walker fitness lady:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="
" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" refHerrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
CooCooforCoCoPuffs said:
ere is a link to walker fitness lady:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="
" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" refHerrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Click to expand...

If I ever feel the need this would be my choice as my hands are so arthritic that being able to rest my weight on my fore arms would be preferable. My wife has bought three of these things so far, and keeps one in her car, one in my car and one in her studio. So I would just use one of her's if/when I need one assuming I live longer (being the younger of us) unless my hands get worse.
 
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