Need recommendations, please

[Caro2132]

Hi everyone, we’ll mike fell again today, so we think it’s time to get a walker. Any pros and cons for the U Step walker or the Life Glider?

Also what about guard rails on the bed?looking toward to your input

Love to all

Caro

[daffodil48]

I'm interested too. I have been looking at the U step walker. I am another Brit (Scottish) living in the US.

[GmaDeb]

Hi Caro2132. I have been using the U-Step walker for over a year now. I tried several different “regular” walkers, but didn’t feel safe using them. I LOVE my U-Step! I couldn’t tip it over no matter how hard I tried, before we decided on this one. I feel safe walking now. I love how it stops when you let go of the hand grip. Now the cons. It takes a lot of room in your vehicle. It takes up the whole back seat of our pickup truck when folded (it’s easy to fold up). It weighs about 20 pounds (sorry I don’t know how to convert that). My husband lifts it just fine, but I can’t. That means no going outside if I’m home alone as we have 4 steps to get into our house. It can be difficult to get up or off a curb although I still feel safe doing that. You have to squeeze one of the hand grip “levers” (sorry- lost my word for what it’s called) in order to move. If you let go, the walker comes to a complete stop. When my hands are feeling weak, I have a harder time maintaining that “squeeze”. You can use either right or left hand, so I alternate hands on those days. I still like that as a safety feature though. I know if I’m suddenly feeling weak or dizzy, that my walker won’t move. I can stop and sit for a bit on the seat until I’m feeling better. I’m still walking when I’m out of the house ONLY because of this walker, although it’s getting near the time I’ll be needing a wheelchair full-time. Hope this information helps. -Debbie

[GmaDeb]

One last thought I forgot to mention. I have asked my husband to get a bed rail for me. I’ve fallen out of bed once with several more near misses. It will also assist with turning, sitting up in bed and give me something solid to use to stand. I only want a half rail as a full rail can lead to serious falls if the person is confused and they try getting up on their own. I know because I was a geriatric nurse for almost 30 years. 😬. -Debbie

[Kevin_1 in reply to GmaDeb]

I've never seen one of these before. Just watched a video - they look really great!

I expect the 20lb weight gives some stability.

Nice one Debbie, but with your background I am not surprised.

[D0ttieL0ttie]

Hi

Even with a walker (which is good for maintaining some independence) I found my husband could not walk alone. He would use his walker but needed someone behind him whenever upright due to his propensity to fall backwards or sideways. I would hold on to the waist of his trousers and help guide him. Unable to advise on type of walker other than keep it lightweight as we are UK based.

Good Luck

[Motts in reply to D0ttieL0ttie]

Good Morning DOttieLOttie - Love the name! When my son was in hospital - they had a thick belt around his waist and it was amazing how much it helped the young nurses to aid him. I am putting one of them on my list of needs for myself. Not a pretty thing I may add some sparkles to mine just for fun.

[Mamapiggle in reply to Motts]

I love sparkles! Every time I buy something sparkley I take a photo and send it to my son. He always reply with oh mother! It makes me smile every time .xx

[JCRy]

I had a real problem getting one tall enough for Ian, as he is over 6 ft. In the end, I took the one we had to a metalwork shop and within 15 minutes they had added another foot in height to each handle, including the adjustable holes. Cost me 10 euros! Love Spain!

Make sure the height is appropriate, which ever one you buy. The little seat is great!

Love, Juliet x

[LuisRodicioRodicio]

Hi Carol2132!

We do not have much experience in U Step walker. After a short time of buying a U Step my wife suffered a fall with a hip fracture that forced to use a wheelchair in the future. If I can recommend that the brakes of the U-step are the classic ones, that is to say, those mechanism that are used in the classic bikes of walk.

By private internal mail I sent our experiences with PSP-RD hoping that it could be useful at some point.

Regards.

Luis

[Katiebow]

My husband used a U Step Walker until he could no longer walk and found the design to be very effective in helping to stabilise him, I did however always have to be with him a all times as he was still liable to fall. The down side to the walker is the weight when lifting to put in the car but it is that weight that helps to stabilise it, extra weights can be added too.

Love Kate xxx

[Finoni]

My husband used a U-step which is good and heavy, so makes it harder to fall backwards. However, you have to hold the hand grip levers closed to walk, and so can be tiring on the hands. I have one I would be happy to send to someone in the US for the price of postage, but it is missing a piece you’d need to get from the company to stop it from collapsing!

[ketchupman]

The U-Step is the gold standard for people with PSP. It won’t prevent all falls, but definitely helps minimize them. Important to clear your home of all small throw rugs, as you can easily topple forward when going over one. We even removed our bigger oriental rugs.

As for bed rails, very important as PSP’rs often get restless and try to get out of bed in the middle of the night, which is almost a fall guarantee. I bought some off of Amazon that were very sturdy. You would slide a portion of it under the mattress and it also had adjustable legs that could reach the floor. Eventually we migrated to a hospital bed which had much better rails that could be easily lowered by the caregiver.

Ketchupman

[ninalulu]

Hi the best walker is the simple one and a bed rail , I have a walker , but the one i have is not easy . i am looking in the simple ones , i have the bathroom ready with the shower guards, and i need a big shower stall , bu that is to much money , I m going to eBay for the bed rail they are more cheaper and i have night lights around the house an bathroom, Good luck ,and blessed you

[Motts]

I too am interested in the walkers - pro and con. I have a simple one and do not feel comfortable using it. I am short and almost feel forward over it. I put it in the bathroom for support in there - it rests in a corner and works well in assisting me. Mom had one similar to mine and she always said that when she with the walker she got hurt worse than if she had just fallen. Landing on the metal frame . . . was a pain and getting back up was not an easy task. Mom was in her 80's - I am 70, my thinking is maybe it is time to consider a wheel chair instead of a U Step Walker. Just not sure which way to turn.

[katras]

I ordered a u step walker 2 weeks ago but am returning it because it would not move on carpeting. It was great on hardwood, but because I’m not tall (5’2”) & not very strong, I came to a complete standstill when I was on carpet. I am back using my old rollator walker. I had ordered it on amazon & the walker company is not too helpful with the return— they’re charging a restocking fee.

I hope this helps.

Kathy

[Fishaholic in reply to katras]

Hey I have U-step walker and it’s true they don’t work on carpets. The wheels Are to small, L shaped edge doesn’t turn easily they need to have a round radius on them. They make one similar to in UK called U MOTION looks good I wish l had it.

[Motts]

Thank you sharing about carpets. I was thinking ours might need to be replaced soon but now I will look into other types of flooring. Any suggestions about carpets and wheelchairs (hate to admit it but I think I am ready for one). Sending Hugs - Granni B

[Caro2132 in reply to Motts]

Thank you another year the carpet comment. I am thinking of pulling up all the carpets but then our caregiver mentioned that in case of falls a carpet is softer so now I’m wondering what’s best ???

[Motts in reply to Caro2132]

Thank you Carol - I had not thought of that. I guess I can let that one slide for a bit - sounds like too much work for now anyway. Sending Hugs Your Way - Granni B