Small Walkers for Seniors / Walkers for Small Adults

Know How to Choose Small Walkers for Seniors

Many options exist when choosing a walker. Whether a user is tall or short, choosing which walker is right can be determined solely on a case-by-case basis. There are certain things that a person needs to look for when shopping around for walkers for small adults. Here are some details to keep an eye out for:

Base Height and Adjustable Height

A primary concern is that the height of a small walker for seniors is acceptable so the user can hold themselves up securely and comfortably. Most walkers range anywhere from 34 inches to 39 inches, with taller walkers being sometimes adjustable all the way up to or above 43 inches. Youth and petite walkers may be able to benefit even shorter patients due to their smaller size and their base height of 28 inches. Yet they still have the ability to adjust up to about 32 or 33 inches. Smaller users need to make sure they buy a walker that will allow them to let their hands rest comfortably at the handles at about a 15-degree angle directly in front of them.

Weight Capacity is Key

Most walkers for seniors and disabled people have a weight capacity of about 300 pounds. Bariatric models may support up to 500 pounds with ease, but many smaller users don’t typically weigh this much. Smaller walkers can still withstand weights of 150 to 200 pounds, depending on the model and brand. In order to find the right walker once the height is recorded and considered, a user needs to know what weight capacity they need.

There are many factors that contribute to determining a user’s weight. One thing to consider is how a person is going to use the walker. If a user is going to have attachments and other accessories on their walker, they need to combine all of the weights of those items to determine their actual weight. Depending on how often or what the walker is being used for (such as carrying personal belongings, medical belongings, or even products from a store frequently), the weight capacity should be much more than the user will weigh, simply for security and stability purposes. Most medical manufacturing companies will not cover any injury or problem that their equipment may have (malfunctions, breaks, bends, etc.) if a user operates the device above the stated weight capacity.

Ensure the Walker is Lightweight

Most walkers weigh anywhere from 9 to 11 pounds, with some small lightweight walkers weighing even less than that. Many seniors aren’t able to lift heavy objects, and standard walkers are much lighter than many of their competing rollators. Another thing to think about is that if a walker has wheels, even if the walker is slightly heavier by one or two pounds, the patient doesn’t have to actually lift the entire walker up in order to walk. This means the wheels can make the walker feel more lightweight and easier to use without causing so much muscle fatigue or exhaustion.

Consider Mobility or Stability

Speaking of small walkers with wheels, one needs to think about how much stability they are going to need when looking for small walkers for adults. A walker without wheels will have greater stability and functionality, but there may be a reduction in the speed at which a person can walk. Having petite walkers with wheels may increase the mobility of the patients, and they will still have more stability than they would if they were to use rollators or even manual wheelchairs. 

Portability Options

Folded walkers are very convenient for smaller seniors. These compact walkers for seniors are able to be taken on planes, and put in the trunks of cars or other storage areas of vehicles easily. Having a compact walker for elderly people can even benefit the user if they use public transportation, as the walker can be folded up conveniently to save more space. This capability gave rise to the term some walkers are known by; “Fold n Go”.

Materials for Safety

The materials from which a walker is made is extremely important both in the manufacturing process, and the walker’s ability to provide security on the user’s end as well. Many walkers are made from aluminum, which is one of the most widely used materials in the medical industry for numerous medical equipment applications. Compact mobility walkers for petite seniors have to still possess all of the same safety functionality as any other walker as well.

Other options for safety are equally important, such as having custom-grip handlebars that allow the user to comfortably grip the walker appropriately. Another thing to look for is that a walker has rubber “gliders”, which are essentially rubber feet that are very similar to those that are used in transfer benches. These serve to hold the walker in place when the user is not actually moving them. Even those walkers with wheels need specially designed ones that are built out of rubber and won’t slide around too much, ensuring that the walker can’t roll out from in front of the person.

Every single walker that is sold here at AvaCare Medical is factory tested in order to make certain it passes numerous health inspections of national standards in order to ensure that they are in prime shape. This verifies that the consumer will be able to benefit from the walker while remaining completely safe.

Here at AvaCare Medical, we want to help everyone, whether you’re an average, larger or smaller adult. If you wish to purchase a small walker for elderly users, all you have to do is give us a call and we’ll gladly assist you with your order. For those who have additional questions about walkers for small adults, you can always send us an email if you are inquiring outside our normal office hours and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!