"Cool" Walker for a Disabled Person

A friend was in an accident a few years ago, and his ability to walk has been deteriorating to the point where he moves like Tim Conway. He really needs to use a walker but refuses, because he doesn’t want to look like an old man. Is there any piece of equipment that would serve the same purpose of providing support and steadying him that may not be intended to be used as a walker. For example, when pushing a shopping cart, he is able to walk much better, but, obviously, he can’t go around town pushing a shopping cart. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

There’s the Segway. :cool:

There are canes with swords or liquor flasks inside. There are wheeled backpacks with handles, but those are more for pulling than pushing.

More generally, though, it seems to me that items that one pushes tend to involve a particular purpose, like a shopping cart, lawn mower, or baby stroller, and any of those would look somewhat odd out of context.

Ultimately, I think the most successful course of action would be to embrace the walker with confidence and make the best of it. I know that’s unhelpful advice, but creaking around like Dorf on Golf certainly isn’t going to suggest vitality.

Some of the three-wheel rollators look pretty cool and not so much like they are designed for the elderly.

I think this one gives the feel of a scooter or skateboard more than a walker.

Depending on his needs, there are also posterior walkers, with the mechanism behind you, that don’t have so much of a walker feel.

He could get a regular walker and decorate it however he wishes.

I knew a woman, who has since died, who used a wooden cane, and she painted it with polka dots. :cool:

I’m not sure if this technology exists yet…

I spent a lot of time looking after my father while he was dying. As his condition deteriorated we had to encourage him to use a walker - he was very resistant. Eventually his knee problems made it essential that he use one and things finally got easier.

My father was provided with a walker that had a seat with a small box beneath it. I would often sit on it to talk with him while he was sitting in his chair or lying in bed. I remarked to my brother once that a snazzy walker with a seat that could carry a reasonable amount of shopping or school books would make its designer rich. Here in Australia at least it is often hard to find anywhere to sit while out other than in places that sell food.

I made the seat one of the selling points with dad by suggesting using it to do things like sit in the sun to have a shave or play fetch with his dog. It was then easier to segue to using the walker as a wheelchair while he sat for short moves. Maybe suggest that the walker is just a backup so that if he runs out of steam he has somewhere to park himself for a while.

There are motorized wheelchairs on tracks for disabled outdoorsman. Not exactly the same, but similar technology.

Designer canes. :cool:

Rear walkers are mainly used by young people whose problem is balance more than strength. You have to stand up straight to use a rear walker. One of the problems with walkers, which is especially a problem for growing children, is a tendency to walk hunched over on them. With very old people, who may be hunched for other reasons anyway, less of a concern, and the rear walkers take some practice to use. But people who are familiar with orthopedic devices think “young” when they see rear walkers.

And you can always put cartoon stickers or something on them. I see little kids with those on their walkers and canes and crutches all the time.

Customize a walker to fit his personality. We did one for a friend, a serious motorcyclist, with handle-bars, Maltese Cross rear view mirrors, clutch and brake levers and a powder-coated “paint” job. I did another for a flyfisherman with cork rod-handle grips and touches like that. Both were big hits with their owners.

I got this one for myself from Amazon when I broke my ankle. Less than $60.

As of last year, I’ve been in the same situation as the OP’s friend. I bought one of these. The seat really helps, since I can’t remain on my feet very long. The purple finish somewhat detracts from the “old man” image. A cane may be enough for some people, but doesn’t give adequate support for me.

It currently sports a “Hillary” bumper sticker.

I know a few people who lean on a bicycle. It will only give support on one side and the balance can be difficult for someone who have never ridden one, but it can be as sporty as he wants and can afford.

My sister has a pretty severe back problem and walks hunched over. She likes to go for a longish walk in her neighborhood pushing a baby carriage with a cinder block in it because she is too vain to use a walker. Another possibility would be a small market cart.

What are the weight limits? There was a guy who used to work in radio … and if it could handle up to 500lbs, I think he might be interested.

I think his name started with R…

I recently met a young woman with a therapy dog (the dog wore a vest). After talking for a while, I asked what the dog’s “job” was. It turns out the dog helped with a balance disorder.

Without the dog, she had trouble walking from place to place, putting her arms out for balance and doing a staggering gait. With the dog to lean against, she had no obvious problem.

When my mother had a knee replacement in her 80’s, she had to use a walker for a while. A pre-school grandson had it all fixed up for her when she came home from the hospital:

  • replaced the handgrips with pink ones with streamers.
  • added a small transistor radio bolted to the front crossbar.
  • added a bulb-squeeze bicycle horn on it.
  • added a wire basket to the front. pre-filled with a couple of Dr. Seuss books, some candy, and a fruit juice box.

His work encouraged her to use it regularly … and she had a lot of fun showing it off to others in her age group.

These are crutchesnot a walker, but depending on their ability it may be that it helps their balance? Anyway they are super cool looking and totally not ‘old person’ looking.

Golf club? Baseball bat?