How To Use a Walker With Gliders

How To Use a Walker With Gliders

Here is the information about how to use a walker with gliders. Your health care provider may also give you more specific instructions.

When gliders are put on the ends of walker legs, the walker is easier to move around on tile, carpet, laminate flooring, hardwood flooring, and concrete.

These inexpensive gliders are not usually standard equipment on a walker, but they may be purchased at pharmacies or ordered online.

Get approval from your health care provider before you place gliders on your walker.

Follow any instructions or limits from your health care provider about using your legs or arms to support your body weight (weight bearing).

Using a walker with gliders can provide stability and support for individuals with mobility challenges. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to properly use a walker with gliders:

1. Positioning:
   • Start by standing in an upright position, ensuring proper posture and balance.
   • Place the walker in front of you, making sure it is on a flat and stable surface.
   • Position the walker so that the handles are at the same height as your wrists when your arms are comfortably relaxed at your sides.
2. Grasping the handles:
   • Hold the walker’s handles firmly with both hands, maintaining a comfortable and secure grip.
   • Ensure that your hands are centered on the handles, with your fingers wrapping around the front.
3. Stepping forward:
   • Take a step forward with the affected or weaker leg, moving it into the space between the two front legs of the walker.
   • Ensure that your foot is firmly planted on the ground before proceeding to the next step.
4. Moving the walker forward:
   • With your weight evenly distributed between the walker and your legs, push the walker forward slightly, ensuring all four legs are firmly in contact with the ground.
   • Take a step forward with your unaffected or stronger leg, moving it past the front legs of the walker.
5. Steady and controlled movement:
   • Maintain a slow and steady pace as you continue to alternate steps with the affected and unaffected legs.
   • Keep your body centered between the handles of the walker, maintaining stability and balance.
6. Gliding motion:
   • With gliders attached to the walker’s rear legs, you can achieve smoother and quieter movement.
   • The gliders reduce friction and allow the walker to slide easily across the floor.
7. Safety precautions:
   • Ensure that the gliders are securely attached to the walker and in good condition.
   • Be cautious of uneven surfaces, rugs, or other obstacles that may impede the gliding motion.
   • Always watch your surroundings, maintaining awareness of potential hazards.

How to install gliders on a standard walker

1. Turn your walker upside down so the feet are pointing upward.
2. Carefully pop off the existing plastic cap from each foot of the walker that needs a glider.
3. To install the gliders:
   1. Place a glider over an aluminum foot of the walker.
   1. Gently rock the glider from side-to-side to make sure it is stable and properly fitted.
   1. Repeat those steps until all gliders are installed.
      1. A front-wheel walker or a rollator (a walker with handlebars and a built-in seat) will need two gliders.
      1. A standard walker will need four gliders.
4. Turn your walker upright to its normal position.

How to stand up with a walker with gliders

1. Put your walker in front of your legs where you are seated. Be careful not to slide the walker forward until you are ready to walk.
2. If your walker has brakes, place the brakes in the locked position.
3. Scoot your buttocks forward in your chair.
4. Position your legs so that:
   1. Your weaker leg is ahead of you.
   1. Your stronger leg is bent and near your chair.
5. If your chair has armrests, put each hand on an armrest. If there are no armrests, put the hand from the side of your stronger leg on the chair seat. Next, put the other hand on the center of the walker’s crossbar.
6. Lean forward and raise your buttocks off of the chair. This will put you in a stooped position.
7. Rise to a stand by straightening your stronger leg.
8. Steady yourself.
9. Carefully move your hands to the handgrips of the walker.
10. If your walker has brakes, unlock the brakes.
11. Slowly glide the walker forward and begin walking.

How to sit down with a walker with gliders

To sit down in a seat that has armrests:

1. Back up slowly toward your seat, using your walker, until you feel the chair touching the back of your legs.
2. If your walker has brakes, place the brakes in the locked position.
3. With one hand at a time, carefully reach behind you and put each hand on an armrest.
4. Slowly lower yourself into the seat.

To sit down in a seat without armrests:

1. Back up slowly toward the side of the seat, using your walker, until you feel the chair touching the back of your legs.
2. If your walker has brakes, place the brakes in the locked position.
3. Use one hand to hold onto the back of the chair, and use the other hand to hold onto the front of the seat.
4. Slowly lower yourself into the seat.

How to walk with a walker with gliders

1. Slide your walker one step-length in front of you. Your toes should be farther forward than the back legs of your walker.
2. Hold onto the walker for support. Lean your weight on the walker and step with your weaker leg into the middle of the walker (between the left and right legs).
3. Step your stronger leg forward to land next to your weaker leg.
4. Repeat this process for each step that you take.

How to use a walker with gliders on a curb or a step

To use a walker with gliders to step up:

1. Put all four legs of the walker securely on the curb or step that is higher than where you are standing.
2. Get your feet as close to the curb or step as you can.
3. Test the steadiness of the walker by pressing down on the handgrips. Be careful not to slide the walker forward until both of your feet are on the curb or step.
4. If the walker is steady, press down on it with your hands as you step up with your stronger leg.
5. Step up with your weaker leg.

To use a walker with gliders to step down:

1. Put all four legs of the walker securely on the surface that is lower than the curb or step.
2. Get your feet as close to the curb or step as you can.
3. Test the steadiness of the walker by pressing down on the handgrips. Be careful not to slide the walker forward until both of your feet are on the surface that is lower than the curb or step.
4. If the walker is steady, press down on it with your hands as you step down with your weaker leg.
5. Step down with your stronger leg.

General tips

• When using your walker:
  • You should not feel like you need to lean forward or to the side to keep your hands on the handgrips. If this is the case, contact your health care provider or physical therapist.
  • Always keep both feet within the width of the walker’s legs or wheels.
  • Do not let the walker get too far ahead of you as you walk. Make sure that your toes are always farther forward than the back legs of the walker.
• Do not pull on the walker or glide it forward while you stand up.
• Sit in a firm chair whenever you can. A low seat or an overstuffed chair or sofa is hard to get out of.
• Regularly check the gliders to make sure that they are in good condition. Keep an extra set so you can replace a worn glider.
• If your walker has brakes, make sure that the brakes are working properly.

Remember, it’s essential to receive guidance and training from a healthcare professional or physical therapist to ensure proper usage of a walker and to address any specific needs or concerns related to your mobility. They can provide personalized recommendations and adjustments based on your individual situation.