Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Mobility Walkers: Moving Forward Through Life

By Amanda Nathan

Mobility walkers, or Zimmerframes as they are commonly called in the UK, are frames that help elderly or disabled people to stabilize and balance themselves while walking.

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.

Improvements to mobility walkers over the years allow for much more comfort and ease of use. They are now height adjustable, for example. This is an important feature as the user should be able to bend their arms slightly to keep good circulation. It is also possible to purchase walkers in different sizes: smaller for children or larger for the overweight person.

The greatest improvements have come in the addition of wheels, making the walker easier to use and also allowing the user more speed in walking. These can come in various types, including ones that are like the basic kind with the addition of wheels in the front, with wheels in the front and caster wheels or glides in the back, or completely wheeled. Those which are completely wheeled come in either three or four wheel models.

More advanced than a basic walker with wheels, Rollators have additional features for safety and comfort. For example, the European Rollator comes with handbrakes and a shopping basket. The basket also doubles as a seat. The handbrakes are used to help to turn the walker, as well as to stop 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 mobility walker you decide on, mobility walkers in the UK could not be easier to find. There are a number of stores online to choose from with every make and model available. And many of these will ship their product directly to you at no extra charge.

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