Adjustable Walkers / Walker With Adjustable Handles

Choosing and Adjusting Your Adjustable Walker 

The first thing for a person to decide is what type of walker to select. This can seem daunting, but many geriatric medical professionals can help a user choose the right type of walker. Once a person chooses a type of walker, they can measure for the right one (or begin shopping for one). They may need a bariatric walker, a short walker, a tall walker, or perhaps one of a different type.

While shopping for walkers, it’s also important for a user to keep in mind what their purpose for having the walker is in the first place. If it is to increase stability while walking, a user will most likely want to choose a traditional-style walker that has four legs. On the other hand, if mobility is their primary goal (and they have the ability to stand and balance on their own), they may simply need to purchase an adjustable walker with wheels.

For a Good Grip

Most walkers have handle grips that are made of rubber, plastic, or even foam. One may want to choose a soft grip such as a sheepskin handgrip if they want the most in terms of absorbing perspiration and keeping their hands cool. Otherwise, one may want to choose a larger grip or a more ergonomically shaped handgrip, especially if they suffer from a debilitating condition such as arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome.

For the Right Height 

Even though our walkers are adjustable, it is still important to choose the proper baseline walker height. Make sure that there is plenty of room between the base height and the fully adjusted height of the walker to properly fit for it. A person needs to be able to extend their arms and comfortably grip the handles with about a 15-degree bend in their elbows. If a person is standing without holding their walker, the walker’s grip should be at about the same place that a user’s wrist is. For this reason, it may be necessary to purchase a walker with adjustable handles so a user can ensure that the walker is the right height.

For the Perfect Material

Adjustable walkers need to be made of the right materials. Steel walkers may be able to hold higher weight capacities for bariatric users, but they also may come with their own downsides. For instance, it’s possible that they can rust over time. Most walkers are made out of medical-grade aluminum.

For the Correct Weight Capacity 

A person needs to ensure that they choose a walker that can hold their weight, any attached accessories (aside from wheels and glides, as this doesn’t affect weight capacity), and any items they may carry on their person or their walker. Many walkers can hold anywhere from 250 lbs. to 300 lbs., but bariatric models can accommodate weight capacity needs from 400 lbs. to 600 lbs. 

Anything that a person adds as an accessory will add a little bit of weight to the walker, albeit a small amount. A most important consideration, though, is determining what the walker is being used for. If a person adds 50 lbs. to their walker basket and they are near their walker’s weight limit (with the basket attached), this can not only cause the walker’s lifespan to shorten, but it can also increase their chances of falling. Furthermore, the model’s warranty will be voided since the user will have operated the unit over the weight limit of their adjustable walker.

Important Walker Tips for Adjustable Walkers

Some points about adjustable walkers are widely known, but there are a few things that are less frequently mentioned, which some people are not aware of. Here are a few such facts to acknowledge.

More Stability Equals Less Mobility

This is a solid rule of thumb, and it works vice versa as well; just as reduced mobility can increase stability, having a walker that moves with more mobility will equal less stability and balance. Users and caregivers alike should understand this mobility-stability balance in order to make wise choices.

Stay in Control

It’s important for the person who will be using the wheelchair to verify that he has the necessary control he needs over it. Two things remain true of walker safety: one should never have to fight in order to make a walker move, and the walker should not move without the person controlling it. Especially if a walker has wheels, a person needs to be in full control of it at all times in order to ensure their own safety.

Pick a Walker With Portability 

Although when compared to other walking aids such as rollators, many walkers will be considered lightweight, what is most important is that they are portable for the user to carry and take with them wherever they go. Most adjustable walkers can fold up a lot smaller when not in use in order to be taken along while traveling. Further, a high degree of portability helps when one needs to store the model out of the way when the user is relaxing.

Consider Accessories

Certain accessories are considered essential when it comes to walkers. Many people need to have an extra place to stow their own personal items. Thus, they may need to purchase a basket, a walker bag, or a tray for their walker. All of these things don’t add to the weight of the walker much, but, as mentioned earlier, a user does need to keep track of the added weight of their items and the attachments they use.

Aside from utility attachments, some users enjoy enhancing their walkers by decorating them, since they don’t like the basic, no-frills walker design, so they do things to make them more interesting. Always remember, though, to not sacrifice safety in the process of decorating your walker!

AvaCare Medical offers some of the best adjustable walkers for adults made by the top brands in the nation. If you’ve been searching for a quality handicapped adjustable walker, and have any questions, ask us! We want to hear from you, and our friendly customer service staff is always here to help. Simply call us at 1-877-813-7799 or send us an email anytime! You can even open a chat on our site, and a live care rep will be happy to respond with answers!