I have a walker. It is my buddy.
Because of my walker (also called a rollator), I can go where I want, walk for thirty minutes or more, and sit when I need to without the stress of having to look for a bench when I really need to sit immediately. After a rest and a bottle of water, which I carry in the basket, I am on my way again, refreshed and ready to continue my walk.
Doctors are constantly telling us about the physical benefits of walking.1https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/5-surprising-benefits-of-walking 2https://www.diabetes.org/healthy-living/fitness/benefits-walking Counselors and therapists advise walking for stress relief and meditation.3https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2019/good-reasons-to-get-walking.html 4https://www.verywellmind.com/mental-health-benefits-of-the-hot-girl-walk-5324717 Physical therapists and trainers include walking for everything from building endurance to weight management.5https://www.prevention.com/fitness/a20485587/benefits-from-walking-every-day/ In fact, it is hard to find advice against walking for anyone who is able.
As we age and acquire age-related chronic conditions, it may be easier to forgo that daily walk rather than having to deal with the fear of tripping or falling. Difficulties with eyesight, balance, or strength can contribute to those fears, and rightfully so. A trip or a fall can completely alter the quality of life and in some cases can actually shorten a life. Why would anyone want to risk that?
Surprisingly, to me, I have found that the comfort and security of knowing that I have the support of the walker to prevent that trip or fall allows me to venture forth in confidence. This has enabled me to regain a sense of empowerment and a relaxed enjoyment of the beauty of being outdoors. If I meet a neighbor and we decide to chat awhile, I can always just lock the wheels with my hands and sit a spell. What freedom!
A friend told me just today about getting a walker for her mother. Her mother was against it and said that it made her look disabled. This was after a broken leg made her temporarily disabled. So, my friend and her sisters went to the hobby store, purchased some cute decorations and jazzed up Mom’s walker. They told Mom that now people would be looking at, and talking about, the decorations rather than asking about her disability. Mom ventured out with her decorated walker and, sure enough, she had lots of interesting and fun conversations that she would have missed if she was just sitting at home waiting to heal.
My neighbor (who just turned 102!) got a walker when she was 95 or 96. I saw her in the park with her caregiver and commented on how much I liked the color of her new walker. Her response was, “Oh, I’m not going to use it.” “Why not?”, I asked. “It makes me look old”, was her answer. “But, Martha, you are old”, burst out of my mouth. “It’s ok!” “Nope”, she said. So I challenged her to a race with our walkers. She would have won.
I was leaving a theater one evening and an older man in front of me was slowly trying to maneuver up the aisle and then up the stairs to the exit. It was frightening to watch as he was very unstable on his feet. I had my walker, which is lightweight and easy to lift from step to step and then is easy to put into the car. I wanted so badly to offer it to him, but I could tell from his determined face that the offer would not be a good idea. His wife was with him and she was obviously concerned, but he doggedly soldiered on. Hopefully he made it safely to his car. What a difference a walker would have made to the sense of security for both of them.
Another friend’s grandpa was 90 and still playing golf. He was walking somewhat unsteadily but still proud of being mobile and able to play golf. He steadfastly refused any support that was offered. Coming off the golf course one day he slipped on some melted ice and was taken to the hospital. That fall shortened his life.
Somehow, we must change the perception of using a walker. I don’t think people view someone using a walker as “less than” even though that seems often to be the fear of someone who is advised to use one. My experience has been that people are either kind, as when they graciously give me room on the sidewalk, or they don’t seem to even notice or pay attention to it when we say hello or stop to talk.
We need to normalize the use of walkers for people who could really benefit from them. Maybe we can get the walkers in a broader range of designer colors or decors. How about adding flags or decals of our favorite sports teams, celebrating those players’ abilities and our own abili
ty to bravely venture forth and overcome. Maybe those of us who use walkers should walk around proudly, smiling and celebrating the freedom we have to be able to walk with the security and support we get from our walkers.
It is time to make walkers cool!