Handicap walkers
Ranked #1,738 in Healthy Living, #33,377 overall
In the market for a handicap walker? You've come to the right place!
My 94 year old Mom, Gertie, uses a handicap walker, and we've gone through a few to find the cream of the crop. Handicapped walkers come in all sizes and shapes so identifying the one that suits the user's needs is the first step in keeping everybody happy!
Since Mom is unstable on her feet and has shrunk significantly as she's aged (note to self: take calcium...), we selected a junior-sized 2-wheeled standard walker with a few accessories, such as a nice tray and cup holder. She has a handicap walker on each floor of my house so she's always stable (well, physically - mentally is another thing....not really, she's a pretty sharp cookie for being almost 95. She still tells me to wear my coat and take an umbrella on rainy days. I'm very lucky).
Click any of the images below to go see the full product review on any of these handicap walkers.
For a full review of my favorite 3 wheel walker, the Duro-Med 3-wheel Rollator, check out this article: Duro-Med Steel 3-wheel rollator.
And, here's a review of my favorite 4 wheel walker, the Hugo Elite Rolling Walker. It's the cream of the crop.
Update: 11/15/11 - Well, even the handicapped walker didn't save Mom from a fall in the bathroom (ugh). After suffering a broken hip and surgery, she's bouncing back pretty darned well. Mom's a tough bird! Here's an article I wrote about caringbridge.org, a website I use to update her health status: CaringBridge.org - when health matters most.
Since Mom is unstable on her feet and has shrunk significantly as she's aged (note to self: take calcium...), we selected a junior-sized 2-wheeled standard walker with a few accessories, such as a nice tray and cup holder. She has a handicap walker on each floor of my house so she's always stable (well, physically - mentally is another thing....not really, she's a pretty sharp cookie for being almost 95. She still tells me to wear my coat and take an umbrella on rainy days. I'm very lucky).
Click any of the images below to go see the full product review on any of these handicap walkers.
For a full review of my favorite 3 wheel walker, the Duro-Med 3-wheel Rollator, check out this article: Duro-Med Steel 3-wheel rollator.
And, here's a review of my favorite 4 wheel walker, the Hugo Elite Rolling Walker. It's the cream of the crop.
Update: 11/15/11 - Well, even the handicapped walker didn't save Mom from a fall in the bathroom (ugh). After suffering a broken hip and surgery, she's bouncing back pretty darned well. Mom's a tough bird! Here's an article I wrote about caringbridge.org, a website I use to update her health status: CaringBridge.org - when health matters most.
2 wheel walkers
Your most affordable solution for the mobility challenged
If you have someone who needs to lean on the walker for stability, a 2 wheel handicap walker is probably the right choice. The 2 wheels in front allow the walker to easily be pushed forward while the rubber tips in back prevent the walker from moving when the walkee (is that a word?) steps forward.
We selected a 2 wheel walker for Mom as she needed to lean on the walker for stability. And, even though there were two of us present during her fall, the two wheeled handicap walker tripped her up when the rubber tips caught the edge of an area rug. Over she went. Ugh. She was fine but I learned a few valuable lessons: 1) One hand on Mom when she moves and 2) tack down the edges of the rugs with nails.
Make sure your loved one knows to lift up the back when going over obstacles (and, teach the dogs to stay the hell out of the way!).
To read my full review of The Duro-Med 2-button adjustable aluminum folding walker with 5 inch wheels click the blue link.
We selected a 2 wheel walker for Mom as she needed to lean on the walker for stability. And, even though there were two of us present during her fall, the two wheeled handicap walker tripped her up when the rubber tips caught the edge of an area rug. Over she went. Ugh. She was fine but I learned a few valuable lessons: 1) One hand on Mom when she moves and 2) tack down the edges of the rugs with nails.
Make sure your loved one knows to lift up the back when going over obstacles (and, teach the dogs to stay the hell out of the way!).
To read my full review of The Duro-Med 2-button adjustable aluminum folding walker with 5 inch wheels click the blue link.
Duro-Med Walker with Wheels and Seat, Royal Blue
ITA-MED Deluxe 1-inch Folding Walker with 5-inch Wheels and 2 Buttons
Drive Medical Deluxe Portable Folding Travel Walker with 5" Wheels and Fold up Legs, Red
Drive Medical Clever-Lite LS Rollator Walker with Seat and Push Down Brakes, Gray
Wee Gizmo hitches a ride on Mom's 2 wheel handicap walker
3 wheel walkers
A smoother ride
If your loved one is planning on taking the walker on trips outside and doesn't need as much stability as a 2 wheel handicap walker provides, a 3 wheel walker may just fit the bill. More maneuverable than the 2 wheel walker, but not quite as stable as the 4 wheel walker, the 3 wheel walker is light and easy to transport. Most weigh right around 8 lbs. And, the larger the wheel, the smoother the walker will move over pebbles or bricks or whatever.
Drive Medical Winnie Lite Supreme Aluminum Three Wheel Rollator, Flame Red
Drive Medical Winnie Lite Supreme Aluminum Three Wheel Rollator, Tan Plaid
4 wheel handicap walkers
For the most discriminating mover!
4 wheel handicap walkers are for those who are on the go! The sturdiest of the bunch, a 4 wheel handicap walker will take your loved one anywhere they please, and safely. The 4 wheel handicap walkers are more for people who just need to have a slight support - they're very easy to wheel and most even have a seat for when your loved one gets tired.
4 Wheel Rolling Walker with Shopping Basket, Padded Seat Burgundy color
Hugo Portable Rolling Walker with Seat, Backrest and 8 Inch Wheels, Blue
Watch this grannie buggie with her walker
Using a walker is not going to slow this woman down. And, looks to me like she's still got some pretty happening dance moves as she dances with her walker. It's worth the view.
curated content from YouTube
Additional walker safety tips
Through a lot of trials and tribulations, I've figured out a few things I'd like to pass on about handicap walker safety. Heed the warnings - or not...
- 1If using a 2 wheel handicap walker, make sure to check the back rubber tips frequently. As they wear out, they will grip hardwood or tile floors, or grab the edge of a throw rug. The results could be deadly if your senior citizen friend takes a tumble.
- 2Never replace the back rubber tips with tennis balls! Yes, I know everyone does this but the tennis balls quickly wear out and you might not notice as they can still look brand new to a beginner's eye. Instead, make sure to purchase new glides specifically in the size for the walker.
- 3If your loved one is unsteady on his or her feet even when using a walker, put a belt around them so you have something to grab if they should teeter. You can purchase grab belts specifically for this purpose.
- 4Pull up area rugs if at all possible. If not possible, tack down the edges with small nails. Forget about using double sided tape as it just doesn't hold.
And, in case you need a wheelchair along with that walker
My Mom uses a 2 wheel walker around the house but I rely on the Drive Medical transport chair for excursions to restaurants, local malls, etc. We both love it.
The picture below was taken at Brookside Gardens when we took Mom to the butterfly exhibit. A great day was had by all.
Need more help with handicap walkers?
I'm happy to field any questions you may have about the use of handicap walkers. Please leave me any comments about this lens - the good, the bad, and the ugly are welcomed.
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Ladymermaid
May 28, 2012 @ 8:56 am | delete
- I love the picture of your mom giving Gizmo a ride. There are so many items to think of as we age or become disabled. My mom had a walker in her last years also and then advanced to simply the wheelchair. My illness is funny because I will need a cane for a week or two and then be fine for months and then once again have to pull out my canes to inch around the house. So far I have not required a walker, wheelchair, or scooter.
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Annamadagan
Mar 31, 2012 @ 6:21 pm | delete
- Thanks for sharing. My grammy needs one of these, but she refuses to use one.
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Helen
Mar 6, 2012 @ 8:37 am | delete
- Wow, this is a very interesting lens about a wide array of handicap walkers. This is what Ive been looking for for my grandmother. A perfect gift. Thanks. DePuy Pinnacle Recall
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kelivinstrom
Feb 15, 2012 @ 2:21 am | delete
- Thank you for the information regarding Walkers. Its really help full for me. I know one more site for walkers products please visit.
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kelivinstrom
Feb 15, 2012 @ 2:13 am | delete
- Thank you for the information regarding Walkers. Its really help full for me. I know one more site for walkers products please visit.
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My additional lenses about caregiving
There might be some more information included in the Squidoo lenses below that might help you deal with an elderly or handicapped person. I've had Mom living with me 5 years now so I write about what I know...
I am my 94 year old Mom's full time caregiver...
...and I'm thankful for that.
I write a lot of elder care articles in the hopes of helping others who are trekking in my path. Handicap walkers is my 57th Squidoo lens.
by gottaloveit
I used to spend most of my days caring for my adorable 95 year old Mom, Gertie; she died peacefully in my arms Feb 15, 2011.
During down times (which...
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