The Truth About Walker Use: Help or Harm?
If you’ve ever wondered whether using a walker is helping or hurting, you’re not alone. Clients often don’t like to use them because it makes them look different. I hear these questions all the time from clients and families:
“Won’t a walker make me weaker?”
“Isn’t it better if I just try to walk without it?”
The truth is, the answer isn’t black and white. Like most things in healthcare, it depends on the person, the situation, and the goals.
How Walkers Help
Used properly, walkers can be life-changing:
Fall prevention: They provide stability which helps reduce the risk of falling.
Confidence booster: Many clients find they are more willing to move and participate in daily activities, even outside their home!
Energy conservation: With extra support, people often walk farther with less fatigue.
Independence: A walker can allow someone to do more safely on their own, without waiting for assistance. Most clients are happy about being able to use the bathroom independently.
How Walkers Can Harm
Using a walker isn’t always the right answer. When misused, they can create problems:
Poor fit or setup: A walker that’s too high, low, or the wrong type can actually increase fall risk. As an OT, we can help make sure the walker is adjusted correctly and fits your needs within your own environment.
Over-reliance: If used unnecessarily, a walker can actually make your balance feel more challenging, and increasing your risk for falling.
Environmental barriers: Tight spaces, stairs, or cluttered homes may make walker use unsafe or frustrating.
The Key: Individualized Assessment
This is where OT comes in! An OT doesn’t just hand you a device, we look at the whole picture. This means that evaluating your balance, strength, daily routines, home environment, and most importantly, your goals. Sometimes, a walker is a temporary bridge while you rebuild strength and confidence. Other times it becomes a long-term support that protects your independence and safety at home and in the community.
The most important question isn’t “is a walker good or bad?” but rather: “is a walker the right tool for me, right now?”
