No one is safe from injuries and leg fractures. To restore motor abilities, a person must constantly develop a broken limb, do therapeutic exercises. In order to alleviate the patient’s condition, to help him recover faster, walkers were developed by medical experts. These are special devices suitable for both the disabled and the elderly, who find it difficult to move independently. Today we find out what types of these structures are, and what to look for when buying such a product.
What are such devices for?
Walkers for the disabled and the elderly are necessary in such cases:
- To elderly people - so that you can move around without assistance. Walkers are more stable than canes or crutches, so for grandparents they will be an ideal option.
- Disabled people need these devices to reduce the load on their legs, as well as maintain balance while standing or walking.
Main types
Walkers for the disabled and the elderly are as follows:
- On wheels in front. It is easy to move on such walkers, however, they are not recommended for those patients who have impaired coordination of movements, since when you are in them there is a high probability of losing balance control. Such devices can not be used by people in the first stage of recovery.
- Stationary. Thanks to them, a person keeps his balance during movement, his coordination improves. These walkers are used to walk on a hard, flat surface. The design of such devices is completely rearranged in front of itself when moving, and the load from the legs is transferred to the hands. Devices are used at the initial stage of recovery, when it is difficult for a person to maintain balance.
- Universal devices. In such walkers, a person can go from a fixed to a walking position, so you can use them both at the very beginning of rehabilitation, and when the patient recovers a little.
- Walking devices. With the help of such devices, a person will alternately move the right and left legs of the walker, simulating their own steps. Such a device is used in the late stages of rehabilitation.
- Rollers - models on four wheels. Ideal for long walks. In such walkers, the front wheels turn, they necessarily have handles with adjustable high. They also have a seat, a basket for things.
Support Devices
- Walkers with support under the elbow (device-wheelchair) - this type of device provides a person with the maximum level of balance and stability while walking. The frame consists of four wheels, thanks to which the whole structure moves easily. Such walkers are designed for people with disabilities who cannot lean on their hands when walking. Often these devices are equipped with straps to fix the case.
- Walkers with axillary support - such devices provide a high level of stability during movement, as in the previous case. The specified type of devices is suitable for those patients who suffer from impaired coordination. These walkers will be ideal for those with disabilities who cannot rest on their elbows, hands, and forearms. They can be both with wheels, and without them. In the first case, the devices are intended for those people who themselves can travel small distances. Walkers with axillary support without wheels are needed for those patients who may be upright for a short time, including those without full support on their legs. Often, such devices are sold with a special soft crossbeam, which provides chest support, so that a person can easily maintain balance and facilitate movement.
- Walkers with support on the forearm - such devices are higher and heavier than the two previous instances. These devices are selected at the initial stages of the treatment of severe injuries, for example, with a fracture of the spine, femoral neck or diseases such as paralysis, polyarthritis, when the patient cannot stand, leaning only on the hands. Such walkers are equipped with special handles - supports for the forearms. This type of device performs, rather, the functions of a simulator: a person maintains muscle tone, which greatly facilitates his further rehabilitation.
Cost
Walkers for the elderly, the price of which depends on the type of device, the availability of additional functions, can be bought in specialized stores selling various medical devices. The cost of such devices depends on the following points:
- Ability to adjust the angle, height of the device and handles.
- Existence of function of folding and fastening.
- Lifting capacity of walkers.
- The presence of wheels, the functions of walking, sitting, as well as such important items as a bag, basket, table.
- Quality walker handles, design and ergonomics of the device.
- The presence of an integrated brake.
The cost of such necessary devices for the disabled can range from 3 to 15 thousand rubles.
Where to buy a walker for the elderly if there are no specialized stores selling such goods in the city? Then you can turn to online stores for help. You can order any type of walker there.
Popular manufacturers
The demand for wheelchair walkers from such companies is:
1. OSD . It is an Italian manufacturer of support equipment. Walkers of this company have a light design, a solid frame, maneuverable wheels, special holders that allow you to comfortably go to the toilet.
2. Medok . Ukrainian company that produces durable and lightweight structures. The choice of walkers of this company is huge. The company produces medical devices with special clamps that allow you to easily change modes when walking.
3. Foshan . The country of manufacture of these walkers is China. Features of the fixtures of the company are corrosion resistance, as well as low cost.
Pros and cons of walking designs
Walkers for the disabled and the elderly have such positive points in use:
- Excellent stability compared to canes or crutches. Reliability is provided due to the large footprint.
- The ability to choose the right model for yourself depending on the disease or the characteristics of the body.
- Reducing the load on the legs.
- The ability to move along a road with potholes and a knobby surface.
- Actions performed using such devices are a useful additional load on the patient’s body.
Negative points to use:
- Walkers for the disabled and the elderly are quite bulky designs.
- With the help of these devices you cannot go down the stairs yourself (unlike a cane or crutches).
Criteria for determining a suitable model
Only with the help of a qualified doctor, based on the patient’s disease, walkers for the elderly are selected. How to choose a suitable device so that a person is both comfortable and useful to be in it? There are certain criteria that you need to pay attention to:
- Destination.
- Place of application.
- Degree of strength.
- The number of legs.
- Lever.
Appointment
If the device is selected for a disabled person, then walkers with a lightweight frame and the presence of front wheels may come up. If you are considering a device for an elderly person, then perhaps a four-leg construction with support under the elbow or forearm would be an ideal option. It is very important to purchase walkers with height adjustment. After all, if the product turns out to be very high or, conversely, low, then the person will constantly feel pain in the back, neck, arms.
Place of application
When purchasing a walker, you need to consider where a person will use them: at home, on the street or both, and there, because not all such devices are comfortable to use in any situation.
Degree of strength
This criterion is very important when purchasing a device such as a walker for the elderly. How to choose a device based on this item? If a person sees that the frame in the structure bends under it, then you need to look for a heavier and more powerful model. Otherwise, the fragile product may break, and a person will be injured as it falls to the ground.
Number of legs
There are walkers with both 3 and 4 legs. A pair of holders provide better stability. However, 3 legs guarantee exponential maneuverability. It follows that walkers with an unpaired number of legs are more suitable for home use, and with a pair for walking along the street or during early rehabilitation. Rollators (devices with rollers) are selected depending on the size of the wheels and the presence of locking brakes. Walkers with large rollers are convenient for the street, small - for the home.
Lever
It should be comfortable, soft, not sliding, not rubbing the palm of your hand. It’s best to keep an eye on wide-grip walker models. Often designs with plastic handles are sold, but such devices may not work if a person sweats a lot. In this case, you need to purchase a walker with a porous handle.
Such devices are selected individually depending on the age of the patient, his physical and psychological state, class of the disease. Also, when purchasing products for convenience when walking, social indicators are also taken into account, for example, whether a person will be able to go out with them, move without problems, whether he will manage to serve himself at home, etc.
Conclusion
Now you know by what criteria to choose a walker for the disabled and the elderly. There are several types of these devices, and you can only choose which instance is suitable for a particular patient with your doctor.