Which Walker Will Work for You?
If muscle weakness or balance issues mean that you’ve been using a cane to help you walk, there may come a point when you need more support than it can provide. “While a cane can be a useful device to help you keep your balance, it still leaves your legs to do most of the weight-bearing work,” says Linda V. DeCherrie, MD, associate professor of geriatrics and palliative medicine at Mount Sinai. “A walker provides more stability and takes some of the pressure off of your legs, allowing your arms to bear more weight,” she explains.
Medicare Coverage Medicare part B covers walkers as durable medical equipment (DME), and will pay 80 percent of the cost if your walker is purchased from a DME supply company with a prescription from your doctor. “Keep in mind that the prescription will only cover one assistive device at a time,” Dr. DeCherrie adds. “It won’t cover two walkers if you need one for upstairs and one for downstairs, or a walker for indoor use and a wheelchair for going out.”
Features to Look For Most medical supply stores and pharmacies offer walkers in a range of designs, but the key to better mobility and safety is matching the device to your specific needs, abilities, and environment. “Discuss with your physician or physical therapist which type of walker will suit you best, particularly if you have other health issues that need to be taken into consideration,” Dr. DeCherrie says.
Most walkers have a 300-pound weight capacity and varying heights. Make sure that your choice can be adjusted to fit you—when using the walker, your elbows should be slightly bent, and your back should be as straight as possible. “Get your physician or a physical therapist to check that the walker is the correct height for you,” Dr. DeCherrie advises.
Check that the walker folds easily for transport and storage, and that it’s light enough to lift into the trunk of your car. If you’ll be using the walker indoors, make sure it fits through your doorways. If you suffer from fatigue, it’s worth considering a walker that incorporates a seat and/or a basket for carrying small items. If you need to use an oxygen tank, select a model to which you can fit an oxygen tank holder (usually sold separately).
How to Use Your Walker Ask your physician or salesperson to give you a detailed demonstration of how to use the walker, and make sure you keep the written instructions handy for reference. “You can also ask your physician for a referral to a physical therapist to help you learn how to use your walker,” says Dr. DeCherrie.
- Getting up Position the walker in front of your chair and slide forward. Use the arms of your chair to support you as you rise (don’t pull on the walker frame or tilt it to help you get up). Once upright, grasp the handles of the walker and move forwards into it. When walking, move the walker forward about one footstep ahead of you and set it down firmly before you take a step. Always take small steps, and lead into the walker with your weakest leg.
- Sitting down Stand with the backs of your legs touching your chair. If one of your legs is weaker than the other, slide it slightly in front of you. Use one hand to grasp the walker handle firmly and place your weight on your strongest leg, while using your other hand to grasp the armrest of your chair. Support yourself with this hand and then move your other hand from the walker to the other armrest of your chair. Slowly sit down.
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