5 Go-To Safety Tips from an Occupational Therapist - Walker Edition!

As I was compiling some of my favorite home safety tips, I realized how many of them were walker-focused - so I wanted to put my most commonly recommended tips all in one place. These recommendations are quick, simple, and don’t require expensive equipment! 

1. Walker Height

When using a walker, you want to maximize your balance and safety by ensuring your walker is at an appropriate height. Stand within your walker with your arms relaxed at your sides and see where your wrist crease rests in comparison to the walker handles. As a general guide, the handles should line up around the level of your wrist crease in this position.

If your walker is adjusted too high, you may notice the handles fall closer to your mid-forearm or even your elbows. This can cause you to hike your shoulders or compensate with an inefficient posture while walking.

2. Walker Width

Standard walkers are typically around 22–25 inches wide, including the front wheels, which are often assembled facing outward.

One simple tip that may save an inch or so is to flip the front wheels so they face inward. On compatible walkers, this can be done by removing the front legs and simply swapping the right and left legs before reinserting them at the same height- a very simple adjustment that can make navigating tighter spaces a little easier!

3. Walker Maneuverability

With a standard or rolling walker, the back tips can sometimes be tricky to maneuver across tile or other surfaces. You may have seen tennis balls placed on the back legs of walkers before, which serve a similar purpose!

Walker glides easily attach to the bottom of the back legs, and their smooth, curved surface can help the walker move more easily across transitions, small bumps, cracks, and other uneven areas without catching as easily.

4. Transporting items

A common question I hear from patients who use walkers is: “Okay, so I have a walker, but I want to bring my cup of coffee to the kitchen table. How am I supposed to carry it?”

One of my go-to recommendations is a walker tray. These are designed to fit over the top of many walkers, with openings for the handles. Many require little to no installation and provide a flat surface for transporting everyday items. Most even include a cup holder!

For a few lightweight items, a walker bag or appropriately secured tote may also be helpful. Just be mindful of where and how much weight you add, as heavier or unevenly placed items can affect the stability of the walker.

5. Walking Pattern

When navigating a small or narrow space, avoid pushing your walker far ahead or leaving it behind. Doing so means you no longer have your walking device available when you may need it most.

Depending on your mobility and the space, you may be able to side-step while remaining within your walker, rather than moving away from it. This can be particularly helpful in certain narrow passageways because the side depth of a standard walker is much less than its full front width.

The goal is to keep your walker with you and maintain your support rather than leaving it behind to get through a tight space.

Let us know if you have any walker tips we didn’t mention, which you find helpful! We'd love to hear your thoughts!