Friday, June 2, 2017

Tips For Handling A Rolling Walker Safely

By Michelle Olson


People don't usually think of walkers as being dangerous or a hazard. Most of the individuals who use them are senior citizens or those recovering from surgery. It surprises many that this equipment is routinely responsible for concussions, broken bones, and crashes. It's good to be careful around people who are using this equipment, but the operator has some responsibility when it comes to using a rolling walker safely.

Most walkers can be adjusted for height. Ideally the top bar should be level with your wrists when your arms are hanging at your sides. You should walk inside the equipment, not beside it. There is sometimes a temptation to look down at the seat instead of ahead. Keeping your body erect as you walk will not only help your posture, it will make it easier to watch where you are going.

When you are walking with a piece of equipment in front of you, it can be difficult to see something lying on the floor or ground immediately in your path. This is especially true when you are outside. The ground can be uneven, and there can be cracks and holes in pavement. Inside you have to be careful of area rugs that can move or bunch when you try to drive over them. Some doorways have strips that can trip you up if you don't see them.

If you wear hearing aids or glasses, you should have them on when you are using your walker. Stepping into a room or hallway might be dangerous if someone doesn't see you coming. It isn't a good idea to get in a hurry and try to rush across a street or down an aisle. You don't want to walk too closely behind someone else either.

Keeping walkers in good shape is important for optimal use. You need to make sure the wheels are clean and free of any debris. If there are rubber tips on the legs, check them periodically to make sure they aren't worn. The seat should not wobble or tip. If it does, there may be a screw that needs tightening.

Walkers are not ladders, and you shouldn't climb on them. They are also not wheelchairs. They are not intended as vehicles for one person to push while another rides. They can, and will, tip over if they are used improperly. Too many packages or grocery bags may also cause them to become unsteady and topple over.

Common courtesy dictates some situations that concern people with walkers. Leaving them in aisles in movie theaters can be dangerous and violate fire codes. When you are seated at a restaurant, the waiter will probably be happy to take your walker to an area out of the way of other guests.

Walkers are great pieces of equipment for those with mobility problems. They allow users to get up and use their leg muscles, which is good exercise. Being able to get around can relieve stress and help with depression as well.




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