U-Step 2 walker

[arwenmark]

Hi I was wondering how many if any of you have the U-step walker? It is especailly for Parkinson's sufferers. My husband got his Dr. to perscribe one and medicare pays for it. His big problem is balance and supposedly this really helps with that. Basically I wondered how people liked them. and if it really helped.

[Beckey]

I just watched this video about the U-Step 2 on YouTube. It's pretty impressive!

youtube.com/watch?v=mirtZhH...(Not working as expected?)

[trikelover]

I don't like any walker and never buy one for outdoors. You run behind a walker with your nose down to the ground. You stil have to carry your own weight. I will buy me a Alinker. It is a running walker like a bicycle. You sit on it while you walk. You can go shopping with it, put it in the car. It look less dialed and if i have cramps ore pain in the legs i dond have to carry my oun weight. I sit while i walk and i can better communicate with the people around.

thealinker.nl

[trikelover]

youtube.com/watch?v=zy5xyLw...(Not working as expected?)

[Mast]

I am also interested in reply to this question. My husband will soon be having surgery and needing a walker. I thought we should get the ustep if it is something that will be good for the future..

[arwenmark]

In order to be able to get Medicare to cover it, Husband need to have been diagnosed with Parkinson's and not in a nursing home or such place. This walker costs between $500 and $700. I am really glad Medicare is coverering it, I have several other devises, walkers, wheelchairs, elec. scooter, and two electric wheelchairs all of which we bought ourselves before he retired, all for me. But now we could not afford any of it. Next thing is to make enough room in the house to use the walker!!! LOL

[pinkhorse123]

The U2 walker is the only reason my husband was able to come home from skilled nursing in August. His main problems are balance, inability to put his feet where he wants them to be and, occasionally, dizziness. He couldn't use other walkers because they got way out in front of him. His previous PT, a Parkinson's specialist, never mentioned this walker. It wasn't until he was in skilled nursing because of a fall, that a different PT suggested it. Because my husband has a 'Medicare Complete' plan, I couldn't get the U2 covered (after trying and getting the runaround from his insurance company for an entire month). I was told repeatedly by medical supply stores that Medicare alone would have covered it, no problem. Once I got it, my husband started PT with it. The PT tightened the resistance quite a bit, and it took a little while for my husband to get used to the 'reverse brakes', but it has been a big success. He's still unsteady and after a day at home, I wrapped the bottom with bubble wrap to help protect furniture, baseboards and door frames (pretty much a lost cause), but he would be back in skilled nursing without it.

[arwenmark]

I am so glad to read this, it sounds really promising. I still have too much stuff in the way around here. Plus there is the problem of using it down stairs and not on the second floor because of the difficulty of getting it upstairs or back down I have a stairlift but cannot take that up and down on it I don't think. I hope it helps with falls, next thing will be trying to get him to wear a helmet.

[Sedona]

Nice to see these more innovative designs becoming available though I'm not yet ready for one of these, though I do have balance issues of late. For some reason, I often collide with door casings, however my balance is most often lost when just standing still, like tipping over, especially when bending over. Therefore, not sure what might help with that, any suggestions?

[laglag in reply to Sedona]

Hi Sedona. My suggestion will help you from tipping over while standing. Have you ever seen how a boxer stands? With feet separated and one in front and one in back. That will help you from tipping over. Look it up on the internet if you don't quite understand. And, try it sometime when someone is there to help and you'll see the difference. Stand normal & tip forward & you'll start to fall, but if you stand in a boxer stance you will not tip over.

[Sedona in reply to laglag]

Thank you, I'll give it a try.

[lynnann96]

I just got one. I use it at PT for recently diagnosed PD. It's heavier but much more stable than store bought varieties. I have a garden center and it allows me to be out with customers and sit when I have to. I haven't taken it with me when I do errands, but will when I get the hang of getting it in and out of my car. I use the clue sound for my walking pace. Really helps me remember how to walk (heh).