subject: Walker Wheels - The Advantages Of Having Them [print this page] Walkers are used in place of canes for older people who find it difficult to get around. Walkers have a number of advantages that canes don't. Walkers give the person something to hold onto and to keep their balance. A cane can become difficult on a person, because all weight is distributed on one side of the body. However, two hands are needed to hold a walker. This means that your weight is still distributed evenly. With walker wheels, picking up a walker is no longer required. A person can simple just push their walker, making it easier for them to get around.
Walker wheels also contribute to exercise, which is very important among aging individuals. It's difficult for older people to get around. What was once an easy activity, such as getting out of the bed in the morning, now takes great effort. Even traveling short distances can prove to be a challenge. But having a walker with wheels can make mobility easier. It still requires a person to walk, which means that they'll get exercise. And pushing requires fewer muscles than pulling, but muscles are still being used. Mobility is important to older individuals, because it helps keep them active.
Simpler reasons for having wheels on a walker include maintaining independence. It can be difficult for anyone to admit they need help, but especially an older person. Many of them may feel like burdens on their friends and loved ones. So they try to help themselves out by doing as much as they can. Walker wheels make it easier for them to get around, thus making it easier for them to remain independent for as long as possible. Doing things for yourself may not seem like something valuable to those of us who can do it, but for older people the privilege of needing as little help as possible is something to be treasured.
If wheels are added to a walker, or you have a walker with wheels, they must be taken care of. Walker wheels can easily get things stuck in them. They must be cleaned on a regular basis, to prevent things such as string, gum and other substances from sticking to them and preventing the wheels from functioning properly. Typically, walker wheels can be cleaned with regular soap and water. No special solution is required for cleaning. However, they should be monitored carefully. If they are not properly maintained, they can cause accidents.
