Electronic Health Reporter

If you or a loved one has reached a life stage where using a mobility aid, like a walker, becomes a necessity in maintaining a sense of normalcy and independence, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the mobility aid market. Once you outline a list of must-haves, you can purchase a walker suited to the physical needs and the lifestyle needs of the operator.

Scrolling through the wide range of models available on the market can make choosing the right walker unnecessarily challenging. Though the traditional walker is, typically, the most popular choice among buyers, the upright walker (the traditional walker’s upgraded counterpart) is gaining rapid popularity, and in recent years, has been marked as a personal favorite for the immobile and physically-disabled.

There are many reasons why you should upgrade your traditional walker to an upright walker. Here are some of the most common bonuses.

Maintain mobility

Upright walkers are designed to enhance walking comfort, which in turn, allows the user to remain mobile for longer durations of time, without assistance. Unlike the standard walkers that force the user to hunch over, exerting uncomfortable pressure on your back and wrists, the upright walker is designed to encourage a sense of independence, while supporting better posture, especially for seniors.

The most noteworthy feature of this mobility aid is its adjustable height, meaning you can adjust the height settings according to the operator’s stature. Whether the user needs to stand upright or bend over at a more dramatic angle, the upright walker can be adjusted to accommodate your specific needs. These customizable settings are not only convenient but have the power to alleviate any existing back and/or wrist strain the operator may have experienced with their former mobility aid.

More Customizable

Traditional walkers are engineered with a select few customizable features for their users to enjoy. However, the traditional walker can’t compete with the upright walker’s much-longer list of adjustable features that make it easy-to-use and a perfect match for your mobility restrictions. The upright walker’s incredibly flexible features conform to the operator’s daily, weekly, or monthly needs, as their physical strength slowly deteriorates or as flare-ups appear. Regardless of the state of their physical condition, their upright walker will address the user’s specific needs, even as they age or as the injury progresses. With an upright walker, you won’t have to worry about replacing your loved one’s mobility annually, which can save you a significant amount of money in the long-run.

Ideal for indoor and outdoor use

Upright walkers are designed for use in both indoor and outdoor spaces and can easily adjust to different terrains. If you only need a mobility device that helps you move freely around your home or want a walker that’s built to conquer the non-level surfaces and unpredictable weather conditions of the outdoors, an upright walker is up to the challenge.

An upright walker can help you maintain an active lifestyle, both outdoors and indoors. You can use it for social events, shopping, daily living, and exercise. Additionally, its sophisticated lighter design allows for easy transport and responsive maneuverability for tight spaces, sharp corners, and rocky terrain.

Better for back health

Upright walkers for seniors are designed with your back health in mind. Some walkers require a hunched position which intensifies wrist strain and can apply painful pressure on its operator’s palms. Not to mention, this stance can lead to disruptive pain along the spine.

Holding a hunched position for long periods of time can result in discomfort and even long-term damage. For those users who are already experiencing mobility restrictions, forced body positions can initiate a domino effect of health problems which can limit an immobile person’s range of motion even further.

With an upright walker, a user is free to adjust the device to a height that’s most comfortable, while still angling their body in an upright position. This body position can help reduce back pain, hand/wrist pain, joint pain, and lower limb pain.

Prevents fall-related injuries

Most standard walkers lack the security, sturdiness, and peace of mind that an upright walker guarantees. Without these security features, a user won’t possess the confidence they’ll need to freely move about and resume their day-to-day routines. Investing in an upright walker grants the user the freedom to perform their normal responsibilities, daily activities, hobbies, and pastimes more comfortably, so they don’t have to sacrifice a precious moment. Those struggling with immobility can improve their quality of life and reduce their risk of potentially-devastating falls with a single purchase.

With the upright walker, users can live an active life without having to exert exhausting amounts of effort. It comes equipped with additional features that give you the freedom and confidence you need to live safe and enjoyable lives. For example, the upright walker incorporates lockable brakes that offer the user hands-on control to stop, park, and control your mobility device.

Upright walkers are also engineered with multi-terrain wheels to help you navigate uneven surfaces and bumpy terrain, without toppling over and risking fall-related injuries. Its adjustable-height padded armrests permit the user the ability to adjust the height of the device, so you can stand upright with unshakeable confidence.

Easy to Transport

Unlike a traditional walker that is bulky, heavy, and difficult to handle, the upright walker is lightweight and designed with a sturdy, yet easily-collapsible frame. By simply pulling the seat handle up, the walker folds to 10.5 inches tall by 39 inches long. Weighing at about 18 lbs., it’s easy to transport, store, and it can slide effortlessly into your car’s backseat.

When you return home, you can conveniently store your walker in a closet, when you’re not using it. Additionally, the upright walker is packaged with a collection of accessories, including a storage bag that holds your on-the-go essentials like your wallet/purse or cell phone. Most upright walkers are equipped with a cane holder that offers users an easy way to store and use an umbrella when they need it.

Takeaways

Upright walkers can be a significant upgrade from the traditional walker. They’re designed with adjustable features that help users customize their walker height to suit their specific needs. This means that the upright walker is a suitable fit for a broad spectrum of users struggling with immobility. For a life defined by comfort, independence, and freedom, purchasing an upright walker may be the answer to your debilitating mobility restrictions.