3 Types of Walkers, 3 Benefits and Choose the Right One to Support Elderly Movement!

Walker is a walking aid made of lightweight aluminum, designed to provide stable support for the elderly or individuals with mobility impairments. This tool becomes the body's support through both hands, making it suitable for use by people who experience muscle weakness, body imbalance, leg injuries, or post-surgery as part of rehabilitation therapy.

The main advantage of a walker is its design with four legs to provide more stability than other aids, such as canes. However, this tool has the impact of slowing down a person's walking speed and has limited mobility such as difficulty going up or down stairs and has more space than other walking aids, such as canes. Even so, walkers remain a popular choice thanks to their ability to support the body optimally.

There are several types of walkers that can be adjusted to your needs, such as fixed walkers, reciprocal walkers, and walkers with wheels. Come on, find the type of walker that best suits your needs and enjoy the comfort and safety in supporting your daily mobility!

Getting to Know the Types of Walkers

Walker is a walking aid designed to help users with mobility limitations. In general, there are three types of walkers that are most often used: fixed walkers, reciprocal walkers, and walkers with wheels. Each type has advantages and disadvantages that are tailored to the needs of the user. Here is an explanation of each:

This walker offers the highest stability among other types. With four sturdy legs, the fixed walker is able to support the body well and its height can be adjusted as needed. This type is ideal for individuals who have limited mobility when supporting the body.

Their use involves lifting and lowering the walker with each step, making them less suitable for those who have difficulty lifting their arms. Fixed walkers also slow down your gait because they must be lifted with each step. They are recommended for use on flat surfaces to avoid the risk of falls.

Unlike fixed walkers, reciprocal walkers allow users to move the right and left sides alternately without having to lift the entire walker. How to use it is by pushing the right side while stepping the left foot, then moving the left side while stepping the right foot.

With one of the walker's feet always in contact with the surface, stability is maintained. This walker is suitable for those who have difficulty using a fixed walker or need additional support when walking. However, this tool requires good body balance, so it is not recommended for individuals with balance disorders.

Rollator or commonly called wheeled walker is a walker equipped with wheels on all four supporting legs, making it the easiest walking aid to use. Simply pushed without having to be lifted, this walker is ideal for users with weak arms or who often travel long distances.

However, users need to be careful when leaning because the risk of falling is higher if they lose balance. For added safety, the rollator is equipped with brakes that can be activated when walking or stopping. And, it has a basket and seat for increased comfort.

By understanding the differences between these three types of walkers, you can choose the one that best suits your needs and mobility conditions. Always make sure to consult a doctor or therapist to get the right recommendation.

Understanding the Difference Between Fixed Walkers and Reciprocal Walkers

Although at first glance they look similar to the four-legged design, fixed walkers and reciprocal walkers have fundamental differences, especially in how they are used and function. In fact, some modern walkers are now designed with two modes at once, namely fixed and reciprocal, to meet more diverse needs. And, here is a detailed comparison between the two:

1. Form and How it Works

• Walker Fixed : Has four legs with a fixed frame. How to use it requires the walker to be lifted every time you take a step.
• Reciprocal Walker : Also has four legs, but its design allows the frame to move alternately. The user simply pushes the right and left sides of the frame alternately while walking.

2. Flexibility of Movement

• Walker Fixed : Provides stability to support the body to the maximum, but its movement is less flexible.
• Reciprocal Walker : More dynamic and flexible when used, but requires good body balance.

3. Convenience and Ease of Use

• Walker Fixed : Simple and easy to use, but requires more force because it has to lift the entire frame.
• Reciprocal Walker : Although the mechanism is more complex, it is lighter to use because it only requires pushing the frame alternately.

4. Security and Stability

• Walker Fixed : High stability because all four legs remain firmly in place, providing maximum security.
• Reciprocal Walker : Still stable, but not as high as a fixed walker. This device requires more balance from the user.

Choosing the right walker is essential to ensure user comfort and safety. Make sure to choose a walker with an ergonomic, anti-slip, and easy-to-use handle. Before purchasing, first consult your needs with a physiotherapist or professional medical personnel to get the right tool for your health condition. Choose a walker that suits your specific needs to support optimal mobility. Quality walker products can be found at The Kingdom Shop , which also provides a variety of original health tools and is ready to be sent with a trusted expedition service.