Mobility is important for everyone, especially with today’s fast-paced lifestyle. That’s why mobility aids are available to maintain our independence. We are familiar with canes, walkers, and rollators. Now, we have upright walkers, a revolutionary mobility product that addresses instability, back pain, and poor posture while walking. Read on and find out how an upright walker can help you or your loved one.
What is an Upright walker?
An upright walker is similar to a rollator---the walker with wheels. Like a rollator, it also has 4 wheels for stability. Their difference lies on their handles. The handles of an upright walker are positioned higher than a rollator’s, directly below the elbow. Its handles do not only support the hand, but the arms too, since your forearms will have to lie on the arm rests while you grip the handles as you walk. This feature removes the pressure off of your wrists, back, legs, and ankles. It has a seat for if you want to rest when the distance is too much. A pouch is handy for carrying some of your belongings. Some come with a cane holder, which is nice for when the upright walker is too large for a smaller space such as a restroom. We've always found that a cup holder is a must to keep your bottle of water close by.
Upright Walkers vs. Rollators, which is better?
Both upright walkers and rollators have easy-grip handles with handbrakes, a seat, and a mobility pouch. Rollators are a great mobility aid. However, because of its height, an upright walker may be better in preventing you from slouching as you stride. An upright walker helps promote good posture while you're walking. It helps elongate your back whenever you’re on it because it supports your upper body as your forearms help in establishing your balance. As a result, there is less pain and discomfort since you walk upright. It allows you to walk with stability because you walk looking straight ahead. Most of the wheels of rollators measure 6 to 8 inches in diameter, while those of an upright walker are 8 to 10 inches, a bit bigger---perfect for walking on rough terrains or simply strolling outdoors.
A lot of users prefer an upright walker over a rollator because it eases their fear of falling, making them more confident in doing their outdoor activities. It keeps YOU upright so that you are able to look forward with a better posture.
Clearly, the upright walker is a better choice for when you want stable and comfortable mobility. It increases the independence of seniors and patients with arthritis, neurologic, balance, rehab, cardiovascular, and pulmonary problems. In addition, portability is never an issue with an upright walker since you can easily fold it and stow. The handle heights do pose a problem for some vehicles when trying to load it up. But this is a realatively new product. We already know one manufacturer is working on a taller version and one that folds a little more compact. Road trips here we come!
Where to get high-quality Upright Walkers?
The Compounding Center carries a wide selection of mobility aids and their accessories. Drop by and chat with one of our friendly and knowledgeable staff to help you choose the best upright walker for your needs, preference, and budget. Even though upright walkers are relatively new, we can already show you some subtle differences that could be a game-changer for the user. A wider wheel base prevents the unit from tipping forward when going over thresholds. Find a unit that has angled forearm rests - they'll provide a comfortable rest over the use of the walker. This is why it is so important to find someone who works with equipment like this everyday. We can provide solutions to the patient before they even know what to look for. Our goal is to keep the patient safe and comfortable while they use their assistive device.
You can choose among different colors and styles and even shop for accessories like cup holders and matching seats colors to go with your upright walker and we’ll have it customized for you. For frequent travelers, our lightweight models will suit your lifestyle. We will make sure that you get the perfect fit so you can walk with ease. We also repair the products that we carry.
For more information about Upright Walkers, mobility aids, bath safety items, or products to keep you and your loved ones independent and living in their own homes,