Do Walkers Need to Be Fitted?
It might feel like it was just a short few years ago when your parents had to care for you. Now, the roles are reversed, and you find that your beloved parent needs a walker to get around. Well, you're about to find out that the key to finding the perfect walker is fit.
Walkers need to be fitted. There are crucial size criteria that you need to consider when picking the walker for an aging parent: user height, weight, and strength. A walker must be properly fitted to be effective and safe for use. Some walkers are adjustable, while others are custom-made.
Why You Need To Have a Walker Fitted
The fit of a walker is vital. The wrong fit could further impair mobility or even lead to the user's injury. The size criteria for choosing the perfect walker are:
- User height
- Weight
- Strength
How Height Affects Walker Fit
The height of the walker is critical. A walker not well-fitted to the user's height could cause them to hunch over when gripping the walker frame. This can lead to postural problems and chronic pain issues.
Mobility can become uncomfortable because of pain caused by an ill-fitting walker. A walker that is too tall or too short is a fall hazard.
How Weight Affects Walker Fit
Some walkers are specialized to support the frame of specific user types. For example, the bariatric walker is designed for obese users. Even the best walkers have a weight limit.
Size also matters when the walker has a built-in seat. The seat should be wide enough to support the user's frame when seated.
How Strength Affects Walker Fit
The user's strength should also be factored in when choosing a walker. Users with difficulty lifting and pushing should have walkers built from lightweight material. Wheeled walkers with gliding casters can also reduce the need for lifting.
How To Ensure a Walker Is the Perfect Fit
Making sure your parent's walker is the perfect fit isn't complicated. Here is how:
- Bring the user along for fittings. The user of the walker should be present to "fit" or try out the walker.
- Check your elbow bend. The elbows should be bent at an angle of 15 degrees with the shoulders relaxed.
- Check your wrist height. While standing inside the walker frame with arms at your sides, the top of the grips should line up with the crease of your wrists.
- Attach rollers before testing. The elbow bend and wrist height should be checked with the rollers already attached.
- Test the other accessories. Walkers that have seats should also be tested for the right fit.
How a Walker Works
A walker is an assistive device commonly used by the elderly or persons with lower extremity impairment. It has four points of contact with the ground, providing a broader base and thus more stability than a cane.
Walkers are also specialized for the specific build of their users:
- Standard walkers: Most commonly used.
- Pediatric walkers: For young children.
- Bariatric walkers: For obese users.
- Rollator walkers: Walkers with wheels.
How To Use a Walker
To move forward with the walker, the user has to follow these steps:
- Hold the walker out a little under arm's length.
- Walk towards the walker while gripping the top of the walker frame.
- Push or pick up the walker and place it at the same distance.
- Transfer your weight onto the walker and move closer to the frame.
- Then repeat the process.
I've written a complete guide on back pain caused by a walker. Can Using a Walker Cause Someone Back Pain?
Final Thoughts
Walkers must be fitted to meet the user's specific size criteria: height, weight, and strength. The fit of the walker matters as an ill-fitting walker could cause discomfort, pain, deformity, or even injury.
About Chip Mitchell
Chip Mitchell is the founder of Growing Gray USA. With over a decade of experience owning a home care company, he has helped hundreds of families navigate the complexities of caring for aging parents.
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