Expert Guide: How to assist someone using a walker safely

With over one in four older adults experiencing a fall each year, often related to mobility challenges, proper assistance is vital for safety. This guide explains how to assist someone using a walker effectively, focusing on techniques that support balance, build confidence, and ensure a secure environment for seniors.

Quick Summary

To safely assist a person using a walker, stand to the side or slightly behind them with a gait belt, provide clear verbal cues, and ensure the walking path is free of hazards. Always focus on guiding rather than controlling or pulling the device.

Key Points

• Proper Positioning: Stand to the side or slightly behind the user with a gait belt to offer stable support without obstructing movement.

• Prioritize Proper Fit: Ensure the walker's height is correctly adjusted so the user can maintain good posture, with elbows bent at about 15-20 degrees.

• Clear the Path: Remove tripping hazards like throw rugs, loose cords, and clutter to create a safe walking environment.

• Support, Don't Pull: Remind the user never to pull up on the walker for balance when standing or sitting, as it can tip over.

• Encourage Independence: Provide guided assistance rather than controlling the walker's movement, fostering confidence by letting the user set the pace.

• Consult a Professional: Always seek advice from a physical therapist for guidance on complex maneuvers like navigating stairs or curbs.

Preparing to Assist with a Walker

Before any movement, it's crucial to set the stage for success. This includes ensuring the walker is correctly fitted and the environment is safe.

Proper Walker Fit

A walker that is the wrong height can cause poor posture, strain, and instability, increasing the risk of a fall. To check for a proper fit:

• Ask the person to stand upright and relax their arms at their sides.
• The walker's handgrips should be level with the creases of their wrists.
• When they hold the grips, their elbows should have a slight, comfortable bend of about 15-20 degrees.
• Adjust the height of all four legs to be even.

Clearing Hazards

Simple home modifications can significantly reduce fall risk. Before a walk:

• Remove or firmly secure all throw rugs, loose mats, and cords.
• Ensure walkways are clear of clutter and furniture is not blocking the path.
• Improve lighting in dimly lit areas, especially hallways and stairways, and consider nightlights.
• Encourage the use of non-slip socks or shoes with rubber soles.

Correct Assisting Techniques

Your positioning and communication are key to providing effective support without impeding the user's independence.

Standing Beside and Behind

Stand to the side of the person, or slightly behind them, on their weaker side if you know which one it is. This allows you to provide support while staying out of their path. Avoid walking directly in front of or behind them.

Using a Gait Belt

A gait belt is a safety device worn around the person's waist, providing a secure handle for you to hold. It is safer and more effective than grabbing their arm or clothing.

• Wrap the belt firmly but comfortably around the person's waist.
• Stand slightly behind and to the side, holding the belt with one or both hands.
• Use the belt to help stabilize them if they lose their balance, and to guide turns.

Communication and Cues

Clear, calm communication helps the user feel secure. Provide simple, easy-to-understand cues:

• "Ready?" before starting.
• "Move the walker forward."
• "Now step with your right foot."
• "Step with your left."
• Avoid rushing them. Let them set a comfortable pace.

Managing Common Scenarios

Navigating daily obstacles safely is a significant part of assisting a walker user.

Assisting with Sitting and Standing

These transitions are high-risk moments for falls. Remember, the walker is not for pulling on.

To Stand Up:

1. Ensure the walker is directly in front of the person.
2. Tell them to scoot forward to the edge of their seat.
3. Instruct them to push up from the chair's armrests, not the walker.
4. Once standing and balanced, they can place their hands on the walker's grips.

To Sit Down:

1. Have them back up until they feel the chair's edge against the back of their legs.
2. Instruct them to reach back for the armrests.
3. Slowly lower themselves into the chair, maintaining balance.

Navigating Uneven Surfaces and Curbs

When encountering a single step or curb, the "up with the good, down with the bad" rule applies, but only with proper technique and assistance. The person's physical therapist should always be consulted for guidance on navigating stairs or curbs with a walker.

• Up: Step up with the stronger leg first, using the walker for support, then bring the weaker leg to meet it.
• Down: Step down with the weaker leg first, following with the stronger leg.

Types of Walkers: A Comparative Look

Choosing the right walker is important, and your level of assistance may change depending on the type. For more information on general home safety, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers a handy home safety checklist.

Feature	Standard Walker	Two-Wheel Walker	Rollator (4-Wheel)
Stability	Maximum. Requires lifting with each step, providing strong support.	High. Glides forward on front wheels, slides on back legs.	Moderate. All four wheels roll, so it offers less braking stability.
Maneuverability	Low. The lifting motion is slow and tiresome.	Moderate. Allows for a more natural walking gait.	High. Swivel wheels allow for easy turning and smooth movement.
Best For	Individuals needing maximum stability for short distances, like inside the home.	Those needing good balance support but wanting a more natural gait.	Active individuals who can maintain balance and need a rest seat or storage.
Key Feature	No wheels. Offers the most stationary support.	Front wheels only. Pushing forward is easier than lifting.	Brakes, seat, and storage basket are standard features.

Fostering Independence

Your goal is to enable, not to take over. Encourage the walker user to do as much as they can, safely. Offer guided assistance rather than control, and always prioritize their dignity and sense of self-reliance. Providing positive reinforcement, such as praising their progress, can also build confidence.

Conclusion

By understanding proper techniques for fitting, assisting, and ensuring a safe environment, you can provide crucial support for someone using a walker. Good communication, correct positioning, and using tools like gait belts minimize risk and maximize independence. Continuous vigilance and encouragement are key to helping your loved one or patient navigate their world safely and confidently.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best position to stand when helping someone with a walker?

Stand to the side of the person, or slightly behind them on their weaker side if you know which one it is. For added security, hold a gait belt worn around their waist instead of grabbing their arm or clothing.

Should I push or pull the walker for the person I'm assisting?

No, never push or pull the walker. The person should move the walker at their own pace. Your role is to offer stable support and verbal guidance, not to control the movement of the device.

How do I assist someone on stairs or curbs with a walker?

When assisting on a single curb or step, the person should place the walker down, then step with the stronger leg first when going up, and the weaker leg first when going down. Always use caution and seek a physical therapist's guidance for multi-step stairs.

Is a rolling walker safer than a standard one?

It depends on the user's needs. A standard walker offers more stability because it must be lifted with each step. Rolling walkers are easier to maneuver but offer less static stability. The best choice depends on the individual's balance and strength.

What's the best way to help someone stand up with their walker?

Remind them to use the armrests of the chair to push themselves up to a standing position. They should not pull on the walker, as this can cause it to tip over. Once they are standing and steady, they can place their hands on the walker's grips.

How can I make the home environment safer for a walker user?

To increase safety, remove all throw rugs and loose mats, secure or clear electrical cords, ensure good lighting in all areas, and keep pathways free of clutter. Use non-slip mats in wet areas like the bathroom.

How do I know if the walker is the right height for the user?

The user should stand upright with their arms relaxed at their sides. The handgrips should be level with the creases on the inside of their wrists. When they hold the grips, their elbows should be slightly bent.

How can I encourage an elderly parent to use their walker?

Initiate an open conversation focusing on their safety and continued independence, not limitation. Highlight the benefits of enhanced stability and freedom, and involve them in selecting a walker that fits their needs and personality.