Where To Buy Walkers For Seniors
For seniors dealing with balance or mobility issues, walkers are a safe, flexible and cost-effective way to help maintain an active lifestyle. We compiled this list of the best basic, wheeled walkers and rollators to help you find the one that best fits your needs and budget. We analyzed product specifications, price, and customer reviews, and included descriptions and links for our top picks.
where to buy walkers for seniors
Walkers can be a game-changer for seniors struggling with reduced mobility, but they are not one-size-fits-all. Thinking about your specific needs and how you intend to use your walker will help ensure that you get the most out of your purchase. When selecting the best walker for you, there are several considerations.
One of the more expensive walkers on our list, the Drive Medical Nitro Euro Style Rollator Walker does offer a lot of bang for your buck. The large front wheels increase turn radius, and the built-in brake cable offers extra safety and protection. The handle height and back support are easily adjustable for a custom-feeling fit, and you can collapse the chair with one hand by pulling up on the handle on the seat.
Walkers are devices that provide stability for those who struggle while walking. They come in a variety of sizes and styles. Seniors can easily find a walker that suits their personal needs, from walkers with wheels, adjustable-height walkers, and walkers that feature a seat.
The cost of purchasing a walker ranges greatly. Low-cost walkers with no wheels, limited adjustment, and no seat typically cost $29 to $50 in total. High-cost walkers that include wheels, adjustments, a seat, baskets, and more features can cost hundreds of dollars up to $850 in rare cases.
Walkers are considered durable medical equipment (DME). Medicare, Medicaid, and other health insurance programs provide coverage for DME. Seniors who use insurance to purchase a walker will likely need to pay a deductible or a coinsurance for the product. Some seniors may qualify for their walker to be covered in full.
Medicaid is a supplemental health insurance program operated independently by each state in the United States. Every state provides different levels of coverage for durable medical equipment through waiver programs. Below is a list of DME waiver programs that can help cover the cost of a walker for seniors:
Veterans Affairs offers a healthcare program for service members who wish to enroll. VA healthcare provides coverage for durable medical equipment and could cover some or all of the cost of a walker for a senior. Much like Medicare and Medicaid, seniors need to apply for DME and be approved. To apply, veterans must:
Operating much like Medicare and Medicaid, private insurance provides a wide range of financial coverage for walkers. Seniors can purchase private insurance to supplement the other coverages they receive from the government. When shopping for private insurance, seniors should:
Thrift stores are a great option for seniors looking to purchase a walker. People regularly donate a wide range of products to second-hand stores, including medical devices and equipment. While the items may be used, these stores test their products for durability before making them available for purchase.
Many nonprofits strive to provide durable medical equipment to seniors and those with disabilities. Here are just a few organizations that could provide free or inexpensive walkers to seniors with mobility issues:
In this case, a wheelchair is a much safer option for transportation. Dr. Howard advises seniors with weakness in the arms or legs, numbness, pain, or memory loss or other thinking impairments to use a wheelchair instead of a walker.
According to Sally Russell, MN, CMSRN, CNE, \u201cArmpit supports are not really ever a good idea, as people lean into them, cutting off the brachial plexus, making arms and hands go numb. The same thing happens with crutches, so we tell people to push up with their hands, not on their armpits.\u201dSally recommends getting an upright walker with armrests instead." } }, "@type": "Question", "name": "How do I know the walker is at the correct height?", "acceptedAnswer": "@type": "Answer", "text": "When using the walker, a person\u2019s elbows should be bent slightly. According to Sally Russell, MN, CMSRN, CNE, the risk of falling increases if people use walkers with their elbows fully extended.Ask your loved one to stand straight with their elbows slightly bent. Measure from the floor to their hands, and make sure you find a walker that can be adjusted to that height." , "@type": "Question", "name": "Should I get a walker or a cane?", "acceptedAnswer": "@type": "Answer", "text": "Walkers are more stable than canes and put less pressure on one side of the body. If you have strong arms and good balance, a cane is fine." ] }] (function(w,d,s,l,i)[];w[l].push('gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js');var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= '//www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); )(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-TPSHL8C'); skip to main content Home Security Security Buyers Guides
If you need something rugged for outdoor walks, we recommend getting the Helavo Foldable All Terrain Walker as a secondary walker. Use the Drive Medical 4-Wheel Rollator Walker indoors where its narrow design comes in handy, but break out the Helavo for varied terrain.
To review the best walkers for seniors, we started by talking to SafeWise advisory board member and health expert Sally Rusell, MN, CMSRN, CNE. She helped us understand the important safety features to look for in walkers for seniors. From there, we browsed available walkers, compared their specs, and read user reviews. Read more about our process on the SafeWise methodology page.
Posterior walkers provide stability while walking, and are especially helpful for users who are seeking to achieve more mobility and better balance. This kind of walker positions the user in a way that promotes good posture alignment control. They also provide for a faster walking pace than anterior models.
Aqua walkers allow users to be supported in a comfortable upright position while moving the pool. With casters and wheels to move freely across the bottom of the pool, these walkers are built to stand up to rust and corrosion.
One of the features that people appreciate most about walkers is the easy foldability of these lightweight mobility aids. They are easy to fit into a car trunk for transport, and fold up for storage at home when not in use.
For senior citizens and elderly people suffering from mobility or balance problems due to aging (and the complications that come along with it!), walkers and rollators can provide a simple way to stay mobile and active.
However, like with other mobility devices, suitable walkers must be chosen carefully. You want to choose a walker that works for you. In light of this, if you have particular needs, it is generally advisable to consult with a medical professional or physiotherapist before selecting a walker.
Generally, for seniors, we recommend choosing a light-weight option that supports mobility and freedom rather than hindering it. While you may be able to operate a heavier walker, it will become cumbersome if you intend to travel with it. Light-weight walkers are usually easier to fold, store, and carry around.
Almost all four-wheeled rollator models come with built-in cushioned seats. So, if you do choose a rollator walker, you want to find one that has a seat that is either adjustable or suitable for your height. Most of the walkers on our list have extensive product descriptions that include dimensions, so you should be able to measure your height and cross-reference this.
Whilst most are rated for up to around 300 lbs, suitable for most seniors, some users will weigh more than this and require something different. Make sure you check this before buying a walker as using a device that is not built to support your weight can be dangerous. If you do require a bariatric model, we suggest considering the Medline Heavy Duty Rollator Walker that supports weights of up to 500 lbs. We review this rollator later in this article.
Most walkers are foldable, but some are easier to fold than others. If you intend to travel a lot, or you want to be able to store your walker in a compact space, it is important to choose a model that is fit or these purposes. The best choice in these circumstances is a walker that is compact and easy to fold.
Most walkers and rollators are available from $80 to $200. Once you start looking at devices above this range, unless you have particular requirements, you will be looking at diminishing returns in terms of quality and usefulness.
The primary reason elderly people use walkers is to enhance their mobility and ability to walk safely and independently. Walkers help users walk longer distances and ease the pains and discomfort that comes with walking in old age.
Yes, you can buy walkers online from a wide variety of outlets. This mode of shopping is especially useful for people who cannot visit the store physically due to their disability, injury, or mobility.
That said, walkers are typically easier to use in smaller indoor spaces. So if you or your elderly loved one will primarily be using the mobility aid indoors, a standard walker might be recommendable.
The Hugo Mobility Explore Side-Fold Rollator Walker is a highly portable and user-friendly walker perfect for seniors to use independently and without assistance. Its frame is so light (only 15.4 lbs) that even those with, or developing, agility, mobility, or muscular weakness issues should be able to use and move it with ease.
Other things of note are that of all the walkers we reviewed this one was one of the easiest to assemble, with straightforward instructions. Also, despite its small frame, it still packs a zip pouch, a basket, and a tray for storage and convenience. Although we reviewed the standard model, we understand that the storage options are customizable, and this walker is compatible with a range of accessories and add-ons. 041b061a72
