Lengthy hospitalisation, old age or an accident can affect our ability to move around securely using our own legs.

The assistive technology of a walker can be a huge help in overcoming this insecurity, as a firm frontal support for the elderly and the disabled in maintaining the upright position and walking around the home or outside.

The walker can be used for brief periods, such as following surgery and during rehabilitation, or over the long term for elderly people who have become less steady on their legs as they get older.

How to choose a walker?

As already mentioned in our guide on the choice of aids, the choice of any assistive technology must focus on restoring a general condition of well-being and autonomy and not to recovering a single action. Choice of the walker must therefore consider both where it will be used and the physical characteristics and motor skills of its intended user, in general terms and in the ability to hold, lift and handle the walker independently.

What types of walkers are available?

There are two main categories of walkers offering frontal support, and the choice is based on where they will be used. The best choice for movement inside the home is a walker, while the best support for moving autonomously outdoors is a rollator. There are substantial differences between these two aids. While the former are lightweight and easy to handle, the latter have a more stable frame and wheels to assist movement on uneven ground.

Walkers

With or without wheels:

The user’s level of autonomous movement should be the guide in choosing between a fixed or wheeled walker, on which the wheels may be fixed, with braked rotation or pirouetting.

The user will have greater security in control and movement of the walker the freer the rotation of the wheels, of which there are two or four.

Which support:

Another preliminary aspect in choosing a walker is assessing upper body strength when walking. The walker may have a support in the form of a simple padded knob adjustable in height at the side or an underarm or forearm support, with optional features such as a padded surface, a padded seat or weighting bars.

Fixed or oscillating:

The walker structure may have alternating oscillation to assist in walking. This solution assists walking by providing firmer support than a wheeled walker.

With brake, legs with self-locking system and lockable wheels:

The main purpose of a walker is to create conditions of total safety for its user. That is why it is essential to assess how it is used and foresee unexpected events, choosing the walker with the most appropriate braking system. Wheeled walkers can have a hand-controlled brake, with a knob similar to the one on a bicycle, or a braking system on the wheels that locks the pirouetting movement or brakes fixed wheels. Walkers with a single pair of wheels can be equipped with a self-locking system for the fixed legs.

Folding or demountable, in steel or anodised aluminium:

The limited space available inside the home or the need to fit the walker easily into a car boot often require a folding structure, allowing it to be stored easily when not in use. The choice of material between the more lightweight aluminium and the sturdier steel version depends on the lifestyle and physical characteristics of the user.

With or without a seat

The style of use of assistive technology suggests in itself whether or not to include a padded seat that, with control by an appropriate stopping system, allows moments of rest while in use.

Rollators

With two, three or four wheels

As in the case of walkers for use indoors, a rollator with a higher number of wheels allows more agile and secure movement. A two-wheel rollator is therefore more suitable for walking a few steps, while the three- or four-wheel rollator is better for more sustained movement.

The three-wheel models are easier to handle and have a lower steering radius. However, they cannot be equipped with a seat and are less suitable for heavily built or tall users.

Four-wheel rollators are the most complete type in terms of adjustment, comfort and optional accessories.

Which support

Upper body strength during movement should be assessed in the same way as for indoor walkers to understand the best type of support to choose. The options for rollators include anatomical grips adjustable in height at the side or forearm supports.

Which braking system

An important aspect in choice of the rollator is a suitable braking system. This is an essential safety measure and should be carefully assessed in relation to the type of ground on which it will be used. Rollators can have dual function brakes on the rear wheels and pirouetting or fixed front wheels.

With transport function

A further aspect to assess carefully, depending on the user’s lifestyle, is whether to choose a walker with a seat or platform, which can also be used as a wheelchair for operators or relatives to transport the elderly or disabled person.

Which optionals

The last step in choosing a rollator is considering the optionals available for the various models. For example, rollators can be equipped with a shopping bag, a tray, a basket, a walking stick holder and reflectors on the front wheel fork. They can also be equipped with foot straps for the models with platforms, padded handles, padded backrests and seats for maximum comfort.

The Mopedia by Moretti line offers a wide range of products including all the types discussed here and therefore satisfying all specific assisted walking needs.

For more information, click here to view our catalogue and contact us to discover the orthopaedics store closest to you.