Are you having problems walking due to injury, surgery, balance issues or any other condition? We did the research on narrow walkers for seniors and will share our findings in this article.
Most homes have narrow doorways and tight walkways. Maneuvering through these spaces can be difficult with a walker.
In this case, narrow walkers for seniors become the best choice and enable you to maneuver through those tight spaces comfortably.
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Top Narrow Walker For Elderly
A narrow width walker is simply a petite walker designed to help people who have issues walking to maneuver through tight spaces and narrow pathways. Here’s a look at some of the top narrow walkers on the market.
1. Able Life Space Saver Walker
If you have very narrow spaces, you may need to find a walker that is 21 inches wide at most.
This of course means that larger people won’t be able to fit inside there because it’s very narrow.
A folding walker also makes it easy to store because you can make it very compact and store under the seat, in the car or even in a bag.
Able Life Space Saver Walker is an ultra-narrow walker at 21.5 inches wide.
Drive Medical 2 Button Folding Universal Walker is another pick that is also 21.5 inches wide.
2. NOVA Medical Products GetGo Petite Rollator
As the name suggests, wheeled elderly walkers come with either two or three wheels.
The purpose of wheels is to makes it easier on the patient to move from one point to the other without using too much strength.
The wheels also make it very easy to negotiate tight corners and spaces. NOVA GetGo Petite Rollator Walker tops this category because of its 22″ inch narrow frame making it suitable for maneuvering through smaller doorways. It can also handle 300 lbs weight capacity. This petite size focuses on those 4’5″ to 5’5″.
An alternative pick would be the Winnie Lite Supreme/Go Lite 3 Wheel Aluminum walker from Drive Medical. It is another best suit in this category because it’s very light, stable and comes with a carrying pouch for your items.
Dimensions: 9.25 x 22 x 19 inches
3. Vive 4 Wheel Medical Rolling
The difference between a rollator and wheeled walkers is that narrow rollators have four wheels, a seat and backrest.
This means it’s more comfortable and stable compared to the rest. I consider this Vive 4 Wheel Medical Rolling Walker with Seat & Bag ideal rollator unique folding design, easy-to-use braking system, extra wide seat with a sturdy backrest and it can hold a person over 250 lbs.
Dimensions: 18 x 24 x 31-36 inches
4. Drive Medical Two Button Folding
Sometimes, the patient may not have the physical strength to lift up a standard walker or even use it.
If such a person doesn’t have full time help, their best bet is to have an ultra-lightweight walker which they can easily lift up for storage.
Front wheeled walkers are usually the lightest. An example is this cool aluminum constructed Deluxe Two Button Folding Walker. Some rollators are also light with this Medline Freedom Mobility Lightweight Folding Aluminum Rollator Walker only weighing 11lbs, and able to handle 250 lbs weight capacity, making it one of the best lightweight walkers for the elderly.
Dimensions: 17.5 x 24 x 32 inches
5. Zler Narrow Folding Walker for Seniors
Short people find most types of walkers for elderly very uncomfortable and strenuous on their hands.
Small walkers for short people are designed in such a way that you don’t have to elevate your arms so they are very comfortable.
Zier offers width adjustment as well as trigger release. The foam hand grippers offer hand support.
The width adjusts from 18 inches to 22.
6. Carex Step ‘N Rest Aluminum Rolling Walker
A walker with seat comes in handy when you have weak lower muscles, injury or you are recovering from a surgery.
You can just sit down comfortably, lean back on your backrest and drive your walker to wherever you want to go.
It takes the pressure off your feet and also your arms because the four wheels will be able to roll you from one place to another and not your arms.
Dimensions: 6 x 21 x 21.5 inches
7. OasisSpace Upgrade Rollator Walker
This rollator is one of the best carbon framed walkers. Not only is it lightweight, it is sturdy and has durable wheels so you can maneuver just about anywhere. It is easy to adjust the height and super easy to break down for transport.
Benefits Of Narrow Walkers
- Easy To Maneuver
Because of the compact size, a narrow walker with wheels or without wheels enables you to negotiate tight corners and congested spaces with ease.
You don’t have to struggle moving things around or telling people to move so you can pass because you can easily maneuver through any space.
- Comfortable
Unlike standard walkers which are so big and bulky, narrow and small walkers for elderly are light and easy on your hands.
They are also more suitable for short people because they ensure your arms are positioned correctly instead of bending too much which can cause pain.
The fact that they are adjustable means everybody can use them comfortably regardless of their height.
- Easy Storage
Walkers for narrow doorways only need a small storage space because they are compact and they can be folded to be even smaller.
This means you can fit them under your chair or any other space available near you so you have easy access to the walker when you need it.
- Lightweight
Most elderly people who need to use walkers do so because of loss of balance, injuries or weak muscles.
The last thing someone like this need is to be lifting heavy stuff off the ground. Small walkers for older adults are very light and easy to lift even if you don’t have somebody to help you.
You can load it in the car or store under the chair on your own.
Factors To Consider
Choosing a perfect narrow walker for senior citizens takes more than just walking into a shop and picking the most beautiful one.
It is critical to know what makes a walker better than the rest and also understand the needs of the user because there is no one fits all kind of walker.
Here are some of the features to look for when buying a small walker;
- Safety Features
A walker is supposed to be a safety accessory to help you walk when it’s otherwise impossible.
It is therefore very important that the walker is safe and stable enough for house and outdoor purposes.
The wheels or legs of the walker should not be slippery and there must be brakes and extra safety controls to ensure your safety.
- Easy To Use
The best walkers for elderly people should be easy to use, easy to understand and easy to fold for storage.
Elderly people with injuries don’t need complications so it must be as simple as possible.
All in all, there still will be some need to help the user understand how to use the walker at first and also help them to personalize it to their own taste.
- Durability
Narrow walkers for seniors don’t come cheap so you can’t afford to be buying a new one often.
The best walker should be long-lasting and made of high quality material that will not bend and succumb to your weight.
- Comfort
A senior person who may also have an injury should be as comfortable as possible to avoid pain.
Some of the features that make a narrow walker more comfortable include seats and back support, ergonomic handgrips especially if they are larger and hand support.
Summary
When choosing the narrow walkers for seniors, it is important to make sure the size and fit are right. Walkers offer independence, support and freedom.
As we mentioned above, consider your living spaces and how you plan to use your walker.
Related Post: If you are not ready for a walker, check out our Best Canes For Stability post.
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