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Walkers are a good pair of extra legs for the elderly with walking issues. However, one major challenge with walkers is passing through narrow doorways. It’s often difficult or outright impossible to get a walker through them.
You can get a walker through a narrow door by switching the legs of the walker. Switch the legs so that they face inward, and you’ll have a few inches to roll your walker through the door. A more permanent solution is to modify or reconstruct the door.
This article will explain a few different methods of getting a walker through narrow doors and doorways. Let’s get started!
1. Switch Wheels
Switching wheels is one of the easiest ways to get a walker through a narrow door. However, it can only work if the door isn’t super narrow and you only need a few extra inches.
You can easily switch wheels by following these simple steps:
- Turn the walker over.
- Unhook both wheels.
- Switch wheels. Place the right wheel on the left and vice versa. Ensure they’re properly attached and stable.
- Turn the walker to its normal position.
The legs now face inward, giving you the clearance needed. Your parent could do this themselves by sitting on the bed or chair. It may be stressful initially, but it’s not impossible, and it gets easier with practice.
2. Walking Sideways
Narrow doors are always a challenge for people using walkers. However, they can go through a narrow door by walking sideways.
Turn the walker sideways. Then, slowly move without changing your position until you’ve gone through the door. After passing through the door, you can return to your “standard” position.
However, a major downside of this method is that it requires a lot of strength.
3. Install a Door Handle Receiver
In most houses, the doors are far too narrow. They typically open outward and get stopped by a wall. When the door meets the wall, the door handle keeps the door a few inches from the wall.
These few inches may be a problem for people with walkers. It limits their space, and their walkers cannot go through. Installing a handle receiver on the wall behind the door is one easy way of resolving this problem.
A handle receiver is essentially a hole in the wall that is properly covered. When you open the door, the handle goes into that space, and you get that extra space for your walker. If you can’t DIY a receiver, get an expert to do it for you.
4. Replace Normal Hinge With Offset Hinges
Because standard hinges take space away from the door space, they can rob the door of valuable space. An excellent solution is installing an offset hinge.
Offset hinges take no space on doors. You can open the door a full 90° and still have extra space a standard hinge would have taken.
Offset hinges are a simple and cost-effective method of widening a door.
5. Use a Bi-Folding or a Pocket Door
Another easy solution is installing a bi-folding or pocket door. In case you didn’t know, a bi-folding door is also called a panel door, folding door, or concertina door. It can fold up to create more space.
Another door option is a pocket door. A pocket door eliminates all space-takers as it slides into the wall when opened.
6. Reverse Your Door Swing
The direction of the door swing is an important aspect of proper space management. Your parent will have difficulty getting a walker through a door that opens outward.
The solution is to flip the door swing. You want it to open inwards (into the room).
To reverse the door swing, the entire door must come off, including all hardware (i.e., hinges, doorknob, striker plate, deadbolt, etc.). The hinges remain in the same mortises but must be rotated so that the barrels go on the inside of the door. You’ll also have to flip the hinges and striker plate upside down, so the door opens in the opposite direction and the doorknob fits when closed. The same process applies to deadbolts, if necessary. Door sweeps must also be moved to the opposite side of the door.
On the door frame, you’ll have to fill in the old screw holes, sand them down, and patch and sand old mortises. From there, you can chisel out new mortises on the opposite side of the door and rehang it before reattaching the striker plate into position.
For a full tutorial on reversing a door swing, check out this YouTube video:
7. Get a Smaller Walker
Walkers come in different shapes and sizes. You can get a smaller one that can fit through narrow doors.
The problem with a smaller walker is that it’s not as stable, so it’s not an ideal solution for people with serious disabilities. It’s best to have your aging relative consult their doctor to determine which size walker is best for them.
8. Reconstruct the Door
Reconstructing the door is another way to get a walker through. However, this option is quite expensive and is only worth doing if you or your parents own the house.
A complete reconstruction would involve removing the old door and breaking the walls to create more room. It’s expensive work, but it’ll make life easier for people with walkers.
When completed, your parent can move freely around the house anytime. They won’t have to change wheels or do any other tedious process to get around the house.
9. Install a Handrail
Some doorways don’t have space for reconstruction, in which case you should install a handrail on the wall. A handrail makes the most sense if the narrow door is the bathroom door. Your parents can use the handrail to get to the bathroom without assistance. How to Choose & Install Outside Handrails for the Elderly
If there isn’t enough space to install a fixed handrail, you can get a detachable one.
Final Thoughts
Narrow doors can be a challenge for people using walkers. Use the tips in this article to ensure your aging relative has easy access to all areas of their home. I hope the above solutions help your loved one move better throughout the house.
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