There is an attachment known as the Cueing Module that is made for the U-Step 2 Walker. This module does 2 things. There is laser option that displays a red line where the user should step up to. I will cover this more in a moment. The second feature is a build-in metronome. For those not familiar with what I metronome does, it creates a timed sound, or timed sound beat. The rate of the sound is adjustable and is set at the rate the person with PSP is comfortable walking at. The main reason for this sound beat to help with is known as “sticky foot”. This is where someone with PSP wants to pick up their foot, but there is a disconnect between their brain and their foot. This condition is the root of many falls. Instead on the person with PSP trying to think about their stuck foot, they focus on the sound beat. Without any help they just start walking normally. It’s truly a miracle. It’s something you need to see for yourself to believe.
Back to the laser, as it comes from the manufacturer, it’s set too far out from the walker’s “U area,” also known as the safe zone. The idea around the U-Step 2 Walker is an area known as the “U.” This is where the user should be standing in order to be safe before they begin to walk. If someone with PSP can stay within the “U” area, falling is just about eliminated. The laser has a single screw allowing the laser to be adjusted with a Philips Screwdriver. The best measurement for the laser is 12.25 inches, or 200.741534 cm, in from the back of the metal part of the walker.
I’m sorry to report that the cueing module isn’t covered by insurance. What I can tell you is my wife using this gadget can now walk faster than me, and at the same time helps keep my wife totally safe. The cost is around $275 US.
For those who missed my posting about the U-Step 2 Walker, what makes this walker different is it’s always in brake mode. In order to make it move 1 or both levers need to be squeezed. For more about this walker and how to get the insurance company to pay for it, I direct you to my local PSP support website supportpsp.com
I would like to thank many of you for your kind words about the website. If you haven’t been to the site, everything is free and the site just contains information for those with PSP and their caregivers. About 25 percent of the site is directed to those in the USA, but the other 75% will help all.
Andy
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grafixapn
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I bought a uStep Walker on EBay in the UK £35. and it does improve my husband’s shuffling gait. It must be an older model as it does not have a metronome. The laser light is not helpful as my husband has less than a 10% downward gaze so the additional gadgets are not useful for all. It is heavier than his other walker and I struggle to lift it in and out of the car or maybe I am just too short to manage it with ease.
I'm assuming you have a smartphone. If you do, download a free metronome app. Adjust the beat to whatever is best for your spouse. This helps with STICKY FOOT. This is when yoir spouse can't move his foot.
We found it to be too fast. Also, my husband would trip over the arms of the "U" or fall backing out of the U😐. We use it occassionaly, but, never alone. Maybe we should have taken a class🙂
I joked about taking a class and doggone if some from U-Step isn't coming to our support group that we never go to😆Great to hear about the tension setting. Thanks.
I remembered 1 more thing. There is a wheel tension setting that you may need to adjust. Look at each of the 2 main wheels. You will see 3 things, a silver lever, a flathead screw head, and near the large silver screw head, holes and numbers 1 through 5. The walker comea from the manufacture set at number 1. If you loosen the large screw a few turns, you can now more the silver lever. As you move the lever, you will see that a different hole by the numbers will change by the hole being filled by a metal pin.
The manufacture suggests that you move it from number 1 to number 5. Allow your loved one feel the difference in how the walker will move. So that you know, number 5 adds too much tension to how the walker moves, but it's important that your loved one feel how number 5 feels. Now loosen the silver screw head again, but this time nove the lever to number 3. Note, you need to do this on both wheels and tighten the screw so the tension can't change on its own.
Setting the tension adds greater control to the walker. The good news is making this adjustment is very eady. The only tool needed is a flathead screwdriver.
That surpises me, as I did a "show and tell" with my wife's U-Step walker at out local PSP support group, and everyone seemed to want one. I don't get anything if anyone buys one, but I try to provide what I hope is good information. The standard walker requires the user to apply the brakes when there is a problem. Those with neurosurgical problems are unable to apply brakes and the normal result is a fall.
I answered another post where I was told the walker gets away from her husband. No one ever showed her that there is an adjustment that adds resistance so that the walker is harder to move.
I'm truly sorry that your husband had a issue with the walker. Like any walker, it needs to be at the proper higjt, and the setting of the resistance which comes from the factory reset to what the user needs.
Not being there, I'm at a lost to provide you with a better answer. As I said, I don't have anything to gain from whatever waljer you buy. I simply want to suggest one that is designed for someone with PSP.
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