Best Walker Without Wheels For Seniors To Help Their Balance

The best walker without wheels for seniors serve several purposes for its user, usually one who has a walking issue caused by either an injury or an illness.

The basic walker is a mobility aid that increases its user’s ability to walk safely and independently while also decreasing the amount of discomfort experienced and increasing the distance covered.

Indeed, when it’s used correctly, it’s an essential tool in improving the sense of independence, mobility and quality of life for its user, even for the people who care for him or her!

But there’s no one-size-fits-all non-wheeled walker suitable for everybody’s needs and wants.

The importance of making the right choice in a primary walker then cannot be emphasized – and that’s where our walker without wheels for seniors review will prove useful.

Our Picks!

In our list, you may find your own best walker without wheels for seniors:

Important Information for Buyers

We believe that our zimmer frame for elderly review will be reliable and relevant to our readers’ lives with the following must-know information about these products.

Characteristics of Non-wheeled Walkers

Every one of the best zimmer frame for seniors have the following characteristics [1] that interested individuals are well-advised to look for:

Due to the absence of wheels, the best zimmer frame for seniors provides several advantages over its wheeled counterpart.

First, it provides the most stability and support for its user.

A basic walker remains steady when it isn’t used, in contrast with a wheeled walker that can roll away from its user, especially one who has compromised ability to control it.

Second, it allows its user to transfer most of his or her weight to the arms.

The reduced stress on the legs make it easier for them to recover faster from an injury or illness – or at the very least, reduce the risk of aggravating their pain and discomfort.

Third, it’s a good mobility aid for walking very short distances, usually just a few feet.

It’s also a great way to transfer from one chair to another or from the bed to a chair.

It can even be used to bring along a few small items by placing them on the attachable tray.

A basic walker is also lightweight so picking it up and moving it before every step becomes more comfortable.

It’s best used for indoor surfaces where the floors are even and flat.

But there are also disadvantages to a basic walker.

Since the walker must be picked up and moved before every step, the user’s walking rhythm isn’t as smooth as when using a wheeled walker.

It isn’t recommended for walking greater distances because of the higher effort involved in using it, not to mention that walking with it is slow going.

So when do you need a non-wheeled walker? If you only need a little assistance, then it may well work in your case.

But if you experience difficulty in starting a movement, such as when you have Parkinson’s disease, or you get tired quickly, then a wheeled walker may be a better choice.

Tips for Choosing Your Basic Walker

When choosing your own best walker without wheels for elderly, keep these tips in mind [2].

A front walker allows its user to walk while holding on to the two handles at the sides and the walker at his front.

A hemi-walker, or side walker, is ideal for people who don’t want a front walker but still need assistance when sitting down or standing up.

Plus, it’s a better choice than a walking cane because of its broader and, thus, more stable base. 

Most Zimmer walkers have anterior framing wherein the walker is in front of the user, so there’s maximum stability, support, and balance.

These are considered as the best type of non-wheeled walkers for seniors for this reason. 

But there are also posterior walkers, also known as gait trainers, where the user pulls the walker from behind are primarily designed for children with walking issues (e.g., neuromuscular disorders).

Older adults, nonetheless, who are re-learning to walk may benefit from gait trainers, especially regarding improving hip extension and body posture.

Regardless of the framing chosen, be sure to measure its base to ensure that, indeed, the walker will fit through your home’s doorways.

While there are narrow zimmer frames, these aren’t as stable as their wider counterparts.

You must naturally also ensure that the basic walker is made of durable and practical material.

The most common material used is anodized aluminum since it’s both sturdy and lightweight.

Cork, foam and rubber grips have their pros and cons. Cork grips contour into the shape of your hands, as well as being more relaxed than rubber grips and more substantial than foam grips.

Foam grips absorb plenty of moisture, but these are lighter, more refreshing and softer than rubber and cork grips.

Rubber grips don’t absorb fluids, such as sweat, rain and melted snow, so these are suitable choices for mountaineers and skiers. 

No matter the brand, specifications and price, the best walker without wheels for elderly should fit its particular user’s height, size, and walking gait.

Start by measuring the walker for the correct fit by following these simple steps:

Of course, the best zimmer frame for an elderly person should be comfortable to grip.

The best choice is a molded foam grip, which reduces the stress on the hands, over a plastic grip. You will find that in our zimmer frame for elderly review, most have foam grips.

When you have chosen the best walker for yourself or your elderly relatives, you may want to watch this informational video on the proper use of a basic walker [3]. 

In the following walker without wheels for seniors review, we will take a closer look at the features, pros, and cons of five of the best we have tested so far.

When you get it out of its box, it already comes fully assembled so it can be used immediately.

It can be folded the way it was delivered and carried and stored in the trunk of your car.

There’s a push-button release mechanism for extending and folding the walker.

It’s easy to operate, too, with your fingers or palm.

The height can be adjusted, either lengthened or shortened, from 32 to 39 inches; the 1-inch increment makes for fast adjustments.

The measure of a satisfactory basic walker largely lies in its strong and sturdy construction.

The EZ2care walker meets the requirement, thanks to its anodized aluminum frame, a material lightweight enough to lift yet durable enough to carry the weight of an adult.

The base of the EZ2care walker should fit most average-sized adults and fit through most doorways, even in apartments where the doorways and hallways tend to be on the small side.

But if you’re on the plus-size side, you may find it more challenging to use since there are no horizontal adjustments.

The frame also has four anti-skid rubber ferrules that serve two main purposes, namely, to reduce the risk of slipping on smooth surfaces; and to allow easier movement in narrow spaces.

The rubber handgrips, in contrast, are an issue because of the discomfort after an hour of using the walker.

You will likely find that the zimmer frame will last for several years with proper use and care due to its main material’s durability.

You don’t have to worry about the frame being too heavy to move ahead of you, one step at a time.

The aluminum itself is lightweight even when the walker’s fully opened.

You will also be able to walk closer to the frame due to its cross frame design – it reinforces the already stable design of the walker, a must when you’re using it to stand up.

You may also appreciate that each side of the walker can be independently operated.

Such design contributes to easier and faster movement in limited spaces, a benefit that people who live in apartments appreciate, too.

Since it’s a bariatric walker, it’s designed to provide walking support for individuals weighing up to 500 pounds, a weight more than most of the walkers available.

As such, it also has a deeper and wider frame, which can be good or bad depending on your own needs.

You may think of it as a good feature because you can walk within the frame without becoming stuck around your hips, but it may be an issue in narrow doorways and hallways.

We suggest measuring around your hips first before buying the walker just to be sure that it isn’t too large or too narrow for your size.

You don’t have to worry about the height because it has an adjustment mechanism identical to the one used in most Drive Medical non-wheeled walkers.

The main selling point for the Lumex Walker is its dual function.

First, it’s a mobility aid for older adults with mild to moderate walking issues which can benefit from the stability and support of a non-wheeled walker.

Second, it’s a rising aid that provides stable assistance for its user when transitioning from seating to a standing position; there are secondary handles for such purpose.

The second function isn’t available in most basic walkers, so it’s well-appreciated by seniors, most of whom have mild to moderate difficulty in making the transition in position.

The walker remains steady and stable during the transition although there may be a slight learning curve to master the movement.

But there are also minor issues that may be encountered with the secondary handles, such as these being not low enough for some people.

The walker may also be used in the bathroom, mainly as a portable toilet frame.

When it isn’t in use, it can be folded for a more compact size suitable for storage and transport.

The folding process is relatively easy due to the single-release folding mechanism, a feature that benefits both the user and the caregiver if any.

Like all the single-use walkers here, the Lumex walker can be adjusted for height.

Plus, it can be used with just one arm and hand, unlike the conventional front-style walkers requiring two hands on the handgrips.

It’s then more convenient to use for older adults who still want something to do with their other hand.

This walker is also lighter than both a cane and the other walkers on our list, so it’s easier to lift for a person with limited dexterity.

But being lightweight doesn’t mean that it’s a lightweight, weight-wise because it has a 300-pound capacity.

The handle can be adjusted from 28.5 to 35.5 inches, so it’s suitable for most elderly people.

The walker itself can also be folded more easily than a conventional walker.

Our Recommended Product

Based on the abovementioned discussion, we believe that the best walker without wheels for seniors is the Lumex 700175CR UpRise Folding Walker for many reasons.

It’s a heavy-duty basic walker that can take the weight of even a plus-size senior without breaking in places, if and when it’s used properly.

Its aluminum alloy may be so durable as to take 400 pounds of weight but it’s also lightweight, a crucial feature in a mobility aid.

It’s also a basic walker that goes beyond the basics, thanks to its triple functions as a mobility aid, a rising aid, and a safety frame for a portable toilet.

Not too many non-wheeled walkers have these functions, so it provides good value for the money for its buyers.

It also has most, if not all, of the hallmarks of what makes for the best walker without wheels for seniors including adjustable height, ease in folding and carrying or storage, and steady and stable design suitable for indoor and outdoor use.

This isn’t to say, however, that the other four basic walkers aren’t exceptional in their right.

In the end, you have to decide whether a non-wheeled walker is suitable for you or not, especially since you have specific needs in it. 

[1] http://www.diamondgeriatrics.com/newsletters/2008-newsletters/walkers-basics-you-need-to-know/
[2] http://www.upliftingmobility.com/walkers-for-seniors/#Tips_on_How_to_Choose_a_Walker
[3] http://www.dlf.org.uk/factsheets/walking#seven1