It is estimated that 7% of Americans aged 65 and up require assistance with some aspect of their daily care. There will undoubtedly be a rise in that figure as the population ages.

For many people, maintaining their independence is a top priority. They may be unable to afford assisted living and/or have no close relatives who can aid them. The capability to move around without outside help is a crucial element of independent living. A walker for seniors can be a lifesaver in these situations. Let’s take a look at when a walker might be useful.

1.   Your Legs Won’t Hold You Up:

If you have trouble standing on one or both legs, a walker might help you maintain your balance. Possible causes include fracture healing, lower body wounds, arthritis, and orthopedic surgery, such as hip or knee replacement.

Stress and avoidance of activities due to a fear of falling are two negative outcomes of shaky footing. A walker allows you to use your arms as support, so you may execute these things with ease and assurance.

2.   Prescription Drugs That Affect Your Ability to Balance:

The medications we use to better our health might occasionally have unpleasant side effects. A walker can be a great choice to provide the support and stability your loved one needs if they are suffering dizziness or balance concerns as a result of taking medication.

A doctor may be able to alter the dosage or prescribe a different medicine that doesn’t have these side effects if the patient talks about any mobility difficulties they’ve been having.

3.   A Cane Is Not Sufficient Assistance:

Many people shy away from using walkers because they believe doing so makes them appear “old,” opting instead to use canes or walking sticks. There’s nothing wrong with using a cane if you feel you need it, but you may reach a point when you no longer feel secure enough using just a cane.

A cane is similar to a third leg in that it provides assistance where you need it most. A walker, unlike a cane, will provide three or four additional points of support to assist you stay steady on your feet.

4.   You’ve Fallen in the Past:

You might want to think about getting a walker if you have a history of falling. Especially if you’ve been hurt in previous falls. There might be psychological effects from a collision even if no bones were broken or other major injury was done.

This can cause you to avoid doing things because you’re afraid of falling again, leading to more stress and missing out on opportunities. And if you’ve ever fractured a bone in a fall before, you know that the healed joint is going to be less strong than it was before.

Falling again increases the risk of further damage to that bone, which may worsen existing balance and support issues. People frequently re-visit hospitals not long after being released due to the same injury. You can get out of the “revolving door” cycle of doctor and hospital visits by using a walker.

5.   Lack of Participation in Group Activities:

Both mental and physical well-being are interconnected. If your mental health isn’t good, you might as well stay in bed all day. Not exercising enough worsens your limited mobility and contributes to your social isolation.

Therefore, it should come as no surprise that elderly social isolation is a major contributor to mental health problems. However, getting out of this cycle is essential. Therefore, as you become older, it’s crucial that you keep up with your friends and family and go on regular outings.

However, if you find yourself staying indoors more frequently, it may be because you are losing faith in your physical abilities. In these situations, a walker can make a world of difference in terms of independence and movement.