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Walkers
For those who are having a little trouble
walking but want to maintain
a fully active
lifestyle, there are a number
of mobility
aids. Perhaps the simplest and
easiest to
use is a walker.
To pick the right walker, consider:
- Straight-legged or wheeled. Standard walkers
have four legs with rubber tips that are
steady, but can drag when moved. Some types
have two front wheels so that they move easily
when tipped slightly, but are steady when
weight pushes that back two legs down into
contact with the ground. Wheeled models have
either three or four wheels with hand brakes
to release the wheels for motion.
- Size and capacity. Match the height of the
walker to the stature and arm length of the
user. Make sure the walker will support the
full weight of the person.
- Carrying options. Walkers can have front
mounted pouches or detachable wire baskets;
some wheeled walkers have permanent wire
baskets and resemble small shopping carts.
- Folding size and weight. The lighter the
walker, the easier it is to move around.
Its collapsed size and weight are also important
for storage or transport, whether by car
or on a plane trip.
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