walkers, the three wheelers

I might also mention that there ARE walkers that are 3-wheelers. These certainly fold up more nicely and take less room. They are less bulky in stores, for example, so you feel less like a bull in a china shop. They generally have baskets or bags or both fitted on them for convenience and/or shopping; seats, however, are definitely rarer because of the question of stability. I can imagine that these are particularly nice for seniors who can live independently, or for a temporary need.

On the other hand, since people with dementia are easily distracted or confused, they don't necessarily think about what they are doing and can easily push their walker onto an obstacle and tip over. Don't forget that someone who uses a walker is doing it for support and is weighing down on the handles. Tipping is a problem since it is hard to save yourself if you are falling forward and off to one side.

When choosing one, I found it helpful to go on line to read other people's comments. You can't always think of different aspects when you are first starting out, specially if you have to make a decision fairly quickly as was our case. It is helpful to read other caregiver's comments to realize what you SHOULD be thinking about... like how much the silly thing weighs if you are constantly going to have to be folding it and putting it in and taking it out of the car. Again, for convenience sake, to check things out, I simply used Walmart or Amazon. That's where these pictures come from. At least I know I can trust these two companies on pricing and they do give me a general idea of what is available, but there are A LOT of companies out there dealing in these same types of medical supplies, new and secondhand and they are worth looking into!

walkers, how many wheels??

Following a fall, my mother lost the use of her legs for a while. After two weeks of rehab, she was once again able to walk but now she needed a walker. I am sure this happens with many seniors. If money is tight for you, the caregiver, then you should think seriously about the walker that you are going to buy or lease.

Medicare will be willing to pay for only ONE walker (with doctor's prescription) so although your present need may be only temporary, don't forget that seniors' health generally worsens with age so you may need a walker again. Walkers come with no wheels, 2 wheels and 4 wheels. Medicare will make a flat contribution to a walker ONCE (then maybe again in 5 years, but they prefer to pay for repairs rather than give you a new one). If your senior is confined to the house, the no wheel and 2-wheelers are fine, since he or she can sit down on nearby furniture. They do require though that the senior be able to lift them a bit which can get tiring. If you are going to be going outside though, I seriously recommend that you get a 4-wheeler with a seat as your initial investment, even if it requires a co-pay. Outside, my mother generally only walks to the mailbox (150 ft) but some days she has to do it with two or three stops, and the seat is very handy. She also uses it in the house since it is less tiring than lifting her two wheel walker.

If you are wondering why we have two walkers it is because my mother has dementia. We had been well advised to get the 4-wheel walker initially which we did, but after my mother's fall, she was having trouble using the 4-wheeler because she had forgotten how to use the brakes, so it would skitter away and pose a fall risk. This is apparently QUITE common and is dealt with in occupational therapy in the rehab centers, but still it is a drawback to the 4-wheelers since the rehab training is quickly forgotten once you get home. It is also the reason that I recommend that you start out with the 4-wheelers: to try to train your senior into using the brakes naturally and automatically so they can use the walker as long as possible. Mobility is incredibly important for seniors (and their caregivers).

Then there is the question of leasing or buying, but that will be for another post.