A hemi walker is a specialized mobility aid for elderly who would benefit from the support of a folding walker but cannot hold one with both hands.
This is commonly due to full or partial paralysis on one side of the body (hemiplegia) but can also be the result of a broken bone in the arm, wrist, hand or collarbone.
I have had elderly use one who broke their collarbone and could not use their regular walker. After everything was healed they went back to their old walker without any problems.
They provide more support than a quad cane and less than a folding walker.
They actually look quite similar to a folding walker (foldable, no wheels) but are held like a cane with one hand.
It is not too uncommon for elderly who have had a stroke start using a hemi walker and progress to a quad cane (and even a single point) after continued rehabilitation therapy.
http://www.caring-for-aging-parents.com/hemi-walker.html
