No one is safe from injuries and fractures of the legs. To restore motor abilities, a person must constantly develop a broken limb, engage in therapeutic exercises. In order to alleviate the condition of the patient, to help him rehabilitate faster, specialists in the field of medicine developed walkers. These are special devices suitable for both the disabled and the elderly who find it difficult to move independently. Today we will find out what types of these designs are, and what to look for when buying such a product.
What are these devices for?
Walkers for the disabled and the elderly are needed in such cases:
- Elderly people - so that you can move around without assistance. Walkers are more stable than canes or crutches, making them ideal for grandparents.
- Disabled people need these devices to reduce the load on their legs, as well as maintain balance while standing or walking.
Main species
Walkers for the disabled and the elderly areas follows:
- On wheels in front. These walkers are easy to move around, but they are not recommended for those patients who have impaired coordination of movements, since when they are in them there is a high probability of losing control of their balance. Such devices should not be used by humans during the first phase of recovery.
- Stationary. Thanks to them, a person keeps balance while moving, his coordination improves. These walkers are used for walking on a hard, level surface. The design of such devices is completely rearranged in front of you when moving, and the load from the legs is transferred to the hands. Devices are used at the initial stage of recovery, when it is difficult for a person to maintain balance.
- Universal fixtures. In such walkers, a person can move from a fixed to a walking position, so they can be used both at the very beginning of rehabilitation and when the patient recovers a little.
- Walking devices. With the help of such devices, a person will alternately move the right and left legs of the walker, imitating their own steps. Such a device is used in the later stages of rehabilitation.
- Rollers - models on four wheels. Ideal for long walks. In such walkers, the front wheels turn, they always have handles with adjustable height. They also have a seat, a basket for things.
Supported fixtures
- Walkers with elbow support(wheelchair devices) - this type of device provides a person with the maximum level of balance and stability while walking. The frame consists of four wheels, thanks to which the whole structure can be easily moved. These walkers are designed for people with disabilities who cannot rely on their hands when walking. Often, these devices are equipped with straps to secure the case.
- Underarm walkers - such devices provide a high level of stability during movement, as in the previous case. This type of device is suitable for those patients who suffer from impaired coordination. These walkers will be an ideal option for those disabled people who cannot rely on their elbows, hands, forearms. They can be with or without wheels. In the first case, the devices are intended for those people who can themselves move over short distances. Walkers with axillary support without wheels are needed for those patients who can be in an upright position for a short time, including without full support on their legs. Often such devices are sold with a special soft crossbar that provides support for the chest, so that a person can easily maintain balance and facilitate movement.
- Forearm walkers are taller and heavier than the previous two. These devices are chosen at the initial stages of treatment of severe injuries, for example, with a fracture of the spine, femoral neck, or diseases such as paralysis, polyarthritis, when the patient cannot stand,relying only on the hands. These walkers are equipped with special handles - supports for the forearms. This type of device performs, rather, the functions of a simulator: a person maintains muscle tone, which greatly facilitates his further rehabilitation.
Cost
Walkers for the elderly, the price of which depends on the type of device, the presence of additional functions, can be bought in specialized stores selling various medical devices. The cost of such devices depends on the following items:
- Possibilities for adjusting the angle of inclination, height of the device and handles.
- Availability of folding and fastening function.
- Load capacity of walker.
- The presence of wheels, the function of walking, sitting, as well as such important items as a bag, basket, table.
- Quality of walker handles, design and ergonomics of the device.
- Having a built-in brake.
The cost of such necessary devices for the disabled can range from 3 to 15 thousand rubles.
Where to buy walkers for the elderly, if there are no specialized stores selling such goods in the city? Then you can turn to online stores for help. You can order any kind of walkers there.
Popular Manufacturers
The following companies are in demand for wheelchair walkers:
1. OSD. It is an Italian manufacturer of support devices. Walkers of this company have a lightweight design, a durable frame,maneuverable wheels, special holders that allow you to comfortably go to the toilet.
2. Medok. Ukrainian company producing durable and lightweight structures. The choice of walkers of this company is huge. The company produces medical devices with special fixators that allow you to easily change modes while walking.
3. Foshan. The country of manufacture of these walkers is China. The features of the company's fixtures are corrosion resistance, as well as low cost.
Pros and cons of walking structures
Walkers for the disabled and the elderly have such positive aspects in use:
- Excellent stability compared to canes or crutches. Reliability is ensured by a large footprint.
- The ability to choose the right model for yourself depending on the disease or characteristics of the body.
- Reducing the load on the legs.
- Possibility of driving on a road with potholes and uneven surface.
- The actions performed with the help of such devices are a useful additional load on the patient's torso.
Negative points to use:
- Walkers for the disabled and the elderly are quite bulky designs.
- You can't walk down stairs on your own with these devices (unlike canes or crutches).
Criteria for determining a suitable model
Only witha qualified doctor, based on the patient's disease, walkers for the elderly are selected. How to choose the right device so that a person is both comfortable and useful to be in it? There are certain criteria that you need to pay attention to:
- Destination.
- Place of application.
- Degree of strength.
- Number of legs.
- Handle.
Destination
If the device is selected for a disabled person, then a walker with a lightweight frame and front wheels may be suitable. If a device for the elderly is being considered, then perhaps the ideal option would be a design on four legs with support under the elbow or forearm. It is very important to purchase walkers with height adjustment. After all, if the product turns out to be very high or, conversely, low, then the person will constantly feel pain in the back, neck, arms.
Application site
When purchasing walkers, you need to consider where a person will use them: at home, on the street, or both, because not all such devices are comfortable to use in all situations.
Toughness
This criterion is very important when purchasing a device such as a walker for the elderly. How to choose a device based on this item? If a person sees that the frame in the structure is bending under him, then you need to look for a model that is heavier and more powerful. Otherwise, the fragile product may break and cause injury to the person as it falls to the ground.
Number of legs
There are walkers with both 3 and 4 legs. A pair of holders provide better stability. However, 3 legs guarantee exemplary maneuverability. It follows from this that walkers with an unpaired number of legs are more suitable for home use, and with a paired one - for moving along the street or during early rehabilitation. Rollators (devices with rollers) are selected depending on the size of the wheels and the presence of blocking brakes. Walkers with large casters are suitable for the street, small - for the home.
Handle
It should be comfortable, soft, non-slip, not rubbing the palms. It is best to look at models of walkers with a wide handle. Often designs with plastic handles are sold, but such devices may not be suitable if a person's hands sweat a lot. In this case, you need to purchase a walker with a porous handle.
Such devices are selected individually depending on the age of the patient, his physical and psychological condition, the class of the disease. Also, when purchasing products for the convenience of walking, social indicators are also taken into account, for example, whether a person will be able to go outside with them, move around without problems, whether he will be able to serve himself at home, etc.
Conclusion
Now you know what criteria to choose walkers for the disabled and the elderly. There are several types of these devices, and you can choose which one is suitable for a particular patient only with the attending doctor.
