How to Make a Walker Glide More Easily

Walkers are wonderful inventions have helped stabilize many an elderly patient like nothing else can, but sometimes walkers be difficult to move forward. The back feet of the walker may stick if the user doesn't have the strength to lift them. This problem can make movement a little cumbersome, but there's an easy remedy.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• 2 to 4 tennis balls
• Walker
• Knife or scissors to cut the tennis ball slit

Walkers with Wheels on the Front Legs

1. Purchase a container of tennis balls.
2. Cut an "X" across two of the balls. The slit should allow access to the legs of the walker but be snug.
3. Push the balls onto the back feet that do not have wheels so that the slit closes around the leg of the walker. This should be a close fit, so that when the walker is lifted, the ball stays on securely.
4. Test the walker before using to make certain that there is no unevenness and the legs are firmly inside the tennis balls. You want to make certain that this is done before the elderly owner puts the walker into use.
5. Begin use while someone is available to supervise. This makes certain that the walker with the adaptation is working correctly for the elderly person. The tennis balls surface allows the back legs to glide easily as the walker is moved across the floor.

Walkers with No Wheels

6. Cut an "X" in four tennis balls, slightly larger than the size of the leg of the walker.
7. Fit each leg of the walker with a tennis ball by pushing the ball on at the "X."
8. Test the walker for stability prior to having the elderly patient use it.
9. Accompany the user when doing a trial run to make certain it works comfortably and safely for them.

Tips & Warnings

• Make certain the balls have a firm grip on the walker legs and that each leg of the walker is completely pushed into the ball.