For the past several days my DH has been pushing our dining room chairs all over the house as he leans on them. They have casters so it is pretty easy for him, even on the carpet. The few times we go shopping together he likes to push the cart and seems to use it for support. Though I usually hold the front of it (and pull him and the cart along). He can still walk on his own but his gait is becomming slower and more unsteady. I looked online at a few walkers. Some have wheels and some do not. I don't know which kind would be better. Much of our house is carpeted, but we would go some places that wasn't. I don't know if he can learn to use the hand brake that seems to be on the ones with wheels. Any suggestions? Not sure where would be the best place to buy, online or at a pharmacy?
The one without wheels you have to pick up to move or put tennis balls on the ends and then they have to push it. The one with wheels is good cause they usually have a seat. My bil use to sit on it and my sister would push him around on it or he would use his feet to push himself backwards. Because of the seat they come in handy when you need to transport them to the bathroom, shower, table, etc. Don't worry about whether they can use the breaks but they are good to have. My sister would push him up to the counter to eat - set the breaks so he would move. You can probably get one by checking with a medical supply place.
There is a walker that is triangular with the point in the front which is much easier to maneuver, has wheels and folds. Wouldn't worry about a brake. Walgreen's carries them as well as any medical supply store. This type is best in the house as it doesn't take up much room. When the time comes there is a light weight transfer chair-sort of like a mini wheel chair. The advantage of this is that it is very light to put into your car and less expensive. If the doc will give you a prescription Medicare might pay for it. If you check with the supply store first they should be able to tell you how to get MC to cover costs.
there are some VERY helpful products on the goldviolin.com website. if you are looking for mobility products like walkers, etc check it out first. they have some awesome things to make life easier. divvi i have the liteweight transport chair from their line. love it!!!!!!!
I have two walkers sitting in the garage..one with wheels and one without...you are welcome to them if you want..no seat though...just email me and I can send you a picture. If you want them, I can ship it to you......hope it helps
I've used both kinds of walkers. The hospital originally gave me a drop walker (no wheels) because it was easier to hang onto if you were using it instead of crutches. The kind with wheels works just fine on carpet.
The kind without requires learning how to use it. You drop the walker forward one step. Move the good leg forward. Bring the bad leg in place next to the good one. Repeat.
When I was still using walkers and then a cane I also hung onto the cart in the supermarket instead of using my cane. If he can do that, a walker with wheels would probably work better. My WalMart has a medical supply "store" inside of it. They have samples of everything they sell. If you can go somewhere like that you could have him try a walker out before you buy, and I'll bet they would help you with sizing it properly as well. The walker needs to be the right hight.
Walkers today mostly have adjustable legs so you can get them the right height, but go to a med supply store and try them out. There are many different kinds. If he is not on his own thinking of using one, get one from the local pharmacy or look on craigslist and find a cheap used one before you spend money on one that he may not use. Medicare will pay for it if you get a prescription, and in any event it's tax-deductible.
The mantra when you go to buy anything to facilitate dealing with your spouse - walker, wheelchair, bathroom adjustments, whatever that costs money: buy a cheap one first, try it out. Many of us have gotten burned buying expensive stuff that then is unused. Wheels are useful. Other stuff may not be and it may depend on your own house.
The Shriners all over the country have warehouses of donated equipment that they give away free. You can get lots of things from them. Ask at a senior center.
We have two wheeled walkers with seats and two drop walkers. I have learned that not all walkers are created equally. You need to purchase according to his weight and height. The one with the seats are great. I bought a cheap one at Walgreens for use in the house and I bought a Larger one for larger people from a medical supply store on the net. It is great. It is a little heavier in weight but the wheels are also larger which makes a BIG difference when using it on uneven ground. The smaller one in the house is perfert for him to get into the bathroom and bedroom. Also he uses the seat sometimes as a tray to carry things on. google wheeled walkers and read up on the different types. One site also has a chart on how to measure for the right size. Your insurance well pay if you get the doc to write you a script for the walker. My DH also gets a kick out of "riding the grandkids" around on it. (Just in the living room under my watchful eye").
My DH never hit the point of using a walker but did go through a stage where he was pushing (rearranging) the furniture of the facility he was in. I have observed this behavior in several of the other residents and have put it down to "normal" AD behavior.
There is some great advice on walkers above. Good luck with this.
Well, I got a walker for my DH. I got a prescription but found that even with insurance at a medical supply store it would cost me too much. I found one with wheels and a bench seat with wire basket underneath for less than at the med supply store. And I got it in candy apple red. Looks really sporty. DH is getting used to it, he now pushes it around rather than the dining room chairs. Again, Frank, thank you for your offer. It warmed my heart to realize how loving and generous everybody on this site is.
Dh was given the drop type at the hospital when he fractured his pelvis. I was then able to get him the wheel type with the seat at the VA. He likes that so much better. The drop type was hurting his shoulder whioch is arthritic each time he lifted it, so the wheeled one makes a real difference. I know you are not supposed to push them in it, but, ... it works. anyone had experience with the transport chair vs the wheelchair?
I recently purchased a transport chair for my husband. It is lightweight enough that I can lift it in and out of the car trunk which I cannot do with a regular wheelchair. It is working great for our purposes. At home he's using a wheeled seat type walker most of the time.
awww gmaewok,, how special that he loves his new walker! :) pushing it around-and candy red! tell him hes got the rolls royce model...so cute. thank you for getting that for him! he will be a pro in notime. divvi weejun i love my lite chair too!
I bought a transport chair for my husband's aunt and the problem with the model I bought is the brakes are on the push handles==convenient for someone pushing her but it doesn't work for her to scoot around on her own because she can't set the brakes to stand up (she walks some with a walker).
I need a rolling walker, the kind with wheels and brakes and a seat. I checked with our local dept of aging and they do not have any. most appreciative if anyone does not need one. thanks.
CO2-Do you have any thrift shops near you? We have a few and many people donate medical equipment they no longer need (wheelchairs, walkers, bath seats, etc) and they sell them VERY reasonably. Also try the Red Cross and/orthe Salvation Army. Can the Area office on aging at least refer you to some place?
Walgreen's has the lowest prices on the transport chairs, because they buy them by the thousands for their stores all over the country. Med supply stores had price tags of three or four hundred dollars. Walgreens? $150, on sale for $99. I bought a cushion for it at a med supply store for $20.