Optimizing Your Home For Two Wheel Walker Mobility

Once you and your loved one decide it’s time to use a mobility aid, it’s important to ensure the home is set up for safe and easy movement. Whether it’s a standard walker, rollator walker, or wheelchair, small adjustments can make a big difference in your loved one’s ability to move freely. This article will focus specifically on practical tips for optimizing your home to accommodate a two wheeled walker.

Interested in learning more about walkers, gait aids, or general caregiving? Check if you have free access to Trualta’s learning library and community of caregivers.

How To Improve Your Space

Making small adjustments around the house can greatly enhance your loved one’s mobility and safety. Here are practical tips to optimize your home for two wheeled walker use:

1. Create Clear Pathways By Moving Furniture

Ensuring enough space for easy movement is essential. Start by checking if doorways are wide enough for the walker and no furniture is blocking their path. Tight spaces can be a challenge, but rearranging furniture can help. For instance, if your loved one sits on a couch, make sure they can easily navigate around it without bumping into coffee tables or other furniture.

2. Remove Uneven Surfaces

Uneven terrain, even with indoor use, can be difficult for walkers to navigate. Rugs or carpets may cause tripping or get caught in the walker, posing a fall risk. Remove loose rugs or mats in high-traffic areas. 

If there are rugs you cannot remove for any reason, consider placing non-slip mats underneath them to prevent slips and ensure smoother movement.

3. Declutter The Home

Clutter is a major hazard when using a walker. Small items, like the following can easily be tripped over or get caught in the walker:

• Shoes
• Books
• Cords
• Dog toys 

Make sure walkways and other tight spaces are clutter-free to create a safer environment. This will allow your loved one to navigate the home more easily and avoid unnecessary obstacles.

4. Add Walker Accessories 

Small modifications to the walker can improve its movement across different surfaces. Two wheeled walkers typically come with rubber tips on the back legs, but you can customize the leg to make the walker glide more smoothly, protect floors, and reduce friction. 

Common accessories include:

• Ski glides: These inserts fit onto the rear legs of the walker and reduce friction, making it easier to glide over smooth floors and carpets. They improve maneuverability without damaging the floor.
• Felt pads: Applying felt pads to the walker’s feet helps improve stability by reducing friction on smooth flooring. They also protect floors from scratches, making it easier to move the walker indoors.
• Tennis balls: For a budget-friendly fix, cut tennis balls and slide them onto the walker’s feet to act as buffers. They reduce drag and make movement smoother, especially on carpets.

5. Ensure Good Lighting & Visibility

Good lighting ensures your loved one can safely navigate their home with a walker. Dim or poorly lit areas can lead to accidents, especially if there are obstacles or changes in floor height. Ensure adequate lighting in key areas like:

• Hallways
• Stairways
• Entryways 

Consider adding nightlights or motion sensor lights in places like the bathroom, hallway, and bedroom to reduce the risk of falls in low-light conditions (like overnight).

6. Consider Multiple Walkers 

If your loved one lives in a two-story home, navigating stairs can be challenging. Two wheeled walkers can be difficult to maneuver upstairs. Carrying a walker up and down stairs can also be tiring and potentially unsafe for a caregiver.

Some strategies you can try include:

• Installing a ramp or lift, especially if they struggle with stairs to begin with. 
• Have a walker for each floor, as this eliminates the need to carry it up and down multiple times per day. 

7. Seek Professional Advice

Consider an assessment by an occupational (OT) or physical therapist (PT). These professionals can suggest alternative tools, such as grab bars in bathrooms and handrails along stairs, to make your loved one’s home safer. 

OTs and PTs can also watch your loved one use their walker in the home to:

• Ensure proper use and positioning 
• Adjust the walker to the appropriate height  
• Coach them on safety features, like brake usage

Conclusion

Optimizing your home for two wheel walker use doesn’t have to be complicated, but a few thoughtful changes can greatly enhance safety and mobility. These small adjustments can make a world of difference in helping them stay active and safe in their own home with this mobility aid.

Looking for additional information about walkers, mobility, or general caregiving? Check if you have free access to Trualta’s learning library and community of caregivers.

References

1. 10 Ways to Make a Handicap Accessible Home – 101 Mobility. (2019, April). 101 Mobility. https://www.101mobility.com/blog/10-ways-to-make-a-handicap-accessible-home/
2. Cascade Health. (2018, August 6). Cascade Health. https://www.cascadehealth.org/all-blogs/helpful-tips-for-walker-use-at-home-7szcy
3. Cleveland Clinic. (2024, April 19). How To Use a Walker. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/procedures/how-to-use-a-walker
4. How to Make Your Loved One’s Home Walker or Wheelchair Ready. (2018, April 20). Green Tree Home Care. https://greentreehomecare.com/walker-safety/