Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Mobility Walkers: Moving Forward With Stablility

By Amanda Nathan

The purpose of mobility walkers, which are also called Zimmerframes in the UK, is to help people who can not balance and stabilize themselves while walking, such as the elderly or disabled.

The most basic type of mobility walker is a simple frame that is slightly wider than the average body, about the height of the waist and approximately one foot in depth. Users grip the sides for balance, pick the frame up and place it slightly ahead. They then take the step or two needed to reach the original starting position. By continuing this movement, the walker allows them to move forward slowly without losing their balance.

Changes have been made in this basic design over time to make the mobility walker easier and more comfortable to use. Instead of a set height, it is now adjustable. This allows the users to keep their arms bent so that circulation is not impeded. Mobility walkers are now made in different sizes as well, small enough for children and large enough for people who are overweight.

Perhaps the greatest advance has been made through adding on wheels. This makes the walker easier to use and also allows the user to move somewhat faster. There are various types of wheeled walkers. Some are the simple frames with wheels on front. Others have wheels in the front with glides or caster wheels in the rear. Still others have wheels in the front and back. These may come with either three or four wheels.

More advanced than the basic walker with wheels is the rollator. In Europe, the rollator comes with a shopping basket and handbrakes. The shopping basket top becomes a seat as well. And the brakes are used to help turn the walker in addition to stopping it.

Three wheeled mobility walkers are easier to turn and can fit into smaller spaces. For someone who does not have as much concern with stability, this may be the right option. It is more compact as well, so easier to transport and to store.

For more stability and balance, one should look to the four-wheeled mobility walker. They take up more space and are a little harder to turn than the three-wheeled walker but come with additional comfort features, such as a seat.

Whichever model you prefer, mobility walkers are just an Internet away. There are a number of online sites to choose from and many of these will ship within the UK free of charge.

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