Abstract:

In the U.S. over 1.5 million persons use walkers, and 77 per cent are 65 or older. Yet walkers rank high in terms of numbers of users experiencing problems in their use. This paper provides an overview of walker designs and features a review of the literature on studies of walkers and walker use, and an analysis of walker problems experienced by subjects in the University if Buffalo Consumer Assessments Study (CAS). Of 333 subjects in the CAS at the time of analysis, 324 subjects reported some difficulty with ambulation and 69 used a walker. 42 of the walker users reported problems related to the 46 walkers they owned. 57% of the porblems were categorised as "difficult and/or dangerous" to use, pointing to the need for careful professional assessment, prescription and follow-up. A relatively small percentage of the walker owners (4%) reported stigma as a problem - feel clumsy using it/don't want to be seen by others "like this", etc.