So many people associate walkers with declining health. But what if we turned that concept on its head? What if walkers were actually the first step in helping older adults strengthen their physical and mental health? Let’s cover the amazing health benefits of using a walker, so you can see why your loved ones will be empowered—not diminished—by having mobility aids in their life.
5 Health Benefits of Using a Walker
There are five incredible health benefits of using a walker:
- Lower risk of falling
- Easier Movement
- Improved physical health
- Improved mental health
- Greater independence
1. Lower Risk of Falling
As you age, it’s natural to lose some of your leg strength, balance, and dexterity, and that puts older adults at a higher risk of falling—which can lead to disastrous injuries. In fact, falls are the leading causes of injury for older adults, with 1 in 4 reporting a fall every year.
A walker is one of the best ways to prevent falls, both outdoors and inside the home.
Related Blog: Fall Prevention for Older Adults: Resources for Caregivers
2. Easier Movement
Walkers empower your loved one to get up and moving!
Unfortunately, so many older adults have difficulty walking because they’re discomforted by fatigue, aching joints, or sore muscles. Walkers are terrific because they reduce stress on the body when standing or moving, and they allow older adults to move around without using quite so much energy. And there’s more! Imagine having a seat, wherever you go, to stop, rest and relax. Well, rollator walkers have a built-in seat that does just that.
Related Blog: What’s the Difference Between a Walker & Rollator?
3. Improved Physical Health
A walker can empower your loved one to walk further distances for a longer amount of time, which can provide them with crucial exercise that keeps their body and brain working more efficiently. Additionally, they help your loved one strengthen their leg muscles and core body strength, which is such an important way to prevent falls.
Related Blog: Home Safety Checklist for Post-Op Recovery
4. Improved Mental Health
Mental health is just as important as physical health—if not more important! It’s so difficult for your loved one to live a happy and fulfilling life when it’s too painful or uncomfortable to walk, and that can result in your loved one being confined indoors or stuck on the couch.
With a walker, it’s easier for your loved one to do the activities they love: spending time in the garden, visiting friends and family, going on a walk around the neighborhood or to a favorite spot in town. Even road trips and flights are made so much easier with a walker!
Life is meant to be lived, and so much of life happens outside the home.
Related Blog: How To Choose a Walker
5. Greater Independence
What scares people about aging is that they’re worried about giving up their independence. However, that’s why mobility aids are so important: they can help older adults maintain their independence.
When your loved one is equipped with a walker, or a different type of mobility aid, they’ll be able to move around when they please – which means they won’t need so much assistance to get from Point A to Point B, and they won’t be as significantly hindered by discomfort or fatigue. This can be so empowering for your loved one and take so much of the fear out of the aging process.
Related Blog: Empowering Individuality: NOVA’s Inclusive Mobility Solutions
Where Can I Find High-Quality Walkers?
Unfortunately, many older adults don’t yet enjoy the health benefits of using a walker because they’re put off by the stigma surrounding mobility aids. That’s why NOVA builds walkers differently… and they have an empowered and courageous attitude, just like their users.
NOVA walkers are built for life with excellent quality, a diverse selection and a lifetime limited warranty. We infuse them with a variety of joyful colors and cool features, which makes them fun and exciting to use.
Ready to experience the possibilities? You can go for a NOVA “test drive” at one of our partner HME stores or pharmacies. Use our NOVA dealer locator to find a location near you.
Do you run an independent pharmacy? To stock NOVA walkers, rollators, and other joyful mobility aids, join the NOVA Network today!
