Mom has agreed she needs more than a walking cane. Suggestions? Walker with wheels? No wheels? Rollator? UpWalker? Advice welcomed.

It depends upon what problems are worst for her. I would request a consult with PT and ask them. If there are balance issues, know that exercises for balance can help quite a bit. I do them myself!
Good luck finding the right fit for your mom.

I would ask a nurse, every case is a little different based the specific need. We consulted with the nurse at the AL where my mother is and she pointed out why this or that wouldn't work for her.

She has a walker with wheels that she can also use as a seat, Works for her.

I would see if you can get PT to come in. Rollator is not for every one. A walker needs to be at a certain height and Mom is going to need to learn how to use it correctly. I would even make sure she uses in can correctly. You no why those little old ladies are hutched over, because they are not using the walker at the correct height and they are using it right.

A rollator is too slick. My mother fell when hers got away from her and she is 79.

Call your moms doctor and ask for Physical therapy for her balance issues. The therapist can evaluate her and provide the correct product and the correct fit of that product. Additionally can teach her how to manage the walker in various situations.

As you mentioned outside, that can be tricky on uneven terrain and sometimes a transport wheelchair is recommended. At times like doctor appointments, going to the cemetery, outdoor parties.

Aunts therapist would take her for walks, getting in and out of the car, getting up and down from seating, the bathtub etc.

As Alva mentioned, therapy can help her with balance. DH aunt had a therapist who helped her with all of that and more. The first time I asked the therapist about a walker he thought she should stay with her cane, that she was safer with it. He suggested different shoes and diff kitchen chairs. She did use the aluminum frame walker and later a rollator but neither for long.

She is completely bed bound now but that is due to the dementia. She had the home occupational and physical therapy for years and it kept her going. Her neurologist wanted her to have it.

My mom fell with the rollator and went back to her frame walker. Her therapist advised her not to go out w/o help as her lawn was too uneven.

Sonicwind wanted to add

I wanted to also tell you that when mom is hanging onto the furniture, you or anything that looks stable to her (and somerimes isn’t) to help her walk with her cane, it is past time to address this issue.

Just had a visual of DH aunt doing that before she transitioned to the walker. I also had to remove the cane so you wouldn’t reach for what was familiar to her instead Of the walker.

I am in agreement with getting an evaluation done by a Physical Therapist.
They can see what moms strengths and weakness's are. They can fit her for one that is the correct height for her and better yet teach her how to properly use a walker.
Personal opinion and this is just from observation I think every person that I have seen use a walker uses it incorrectly.
The tendency is to lean over the walker, the handle being lower than it should be. And the walker is pushed way out in front of the person using it so they are in a sense "chasing" it.
I have seen ads for the Upright Walkers and they seem to make so much more sense to me. But again that is my opinion and it would be great to get input from someone that has used one or a Physical Therapist .

I agree you should see a physical therapist. In my mom’s case, I tried very hard to encourage something other than the cane. She fell twice and that convinced her. We ended up with the walker. The rollator was hard for her to control. She used the walker the last 4 years of her life and could zip around fast with it. it gave her back her confidence. I did hide the cane.

Medicare will pay for either a walker or a wheelchair, a basic one, but you can upgrade and pay the difference. Don't forget that Medicare will pay for one, though. It's easy to overlook. May need a medical signature.

Good Morning,

An Up Walker Lite and good fitted shoes by SAS. I recommend the Mary Jane style.

Rollater or a good walker

My wife has used a Rollator for the last nine years. The best thing since sliced bread. Very easy to travel with.

My Daddy loved his rollator. I got him a Nitro because he was a big guy. I got mine through CVS and FSA paid for part of it. I still have it and it is very light to pick up and put in the trunk of the car. Rollators are great because you have a seat for them incase they get tired.

Please consider consulting an occupational therapist. OTs specialize in adaptive strategies for age or injuries.

Unless there’s a reason why she shouldn’t, I recommend a rollator. My grandmother used one for years and was happy with the seat. She could stash her purse, gloves, scarf in the area beneath the seat. If she got tired when walking, she could sit down for a few minutes or so. She’d also put a tray of food on the seat and push it to her recliner to eat while watching TV. She was hesitant at first because of the stigma of the older gray walkers with the tennis balls. But I got her a metallic dark blue rollator with a seat and she became a trend setter at her ALF.

This needs/ requires professional assessment and recommendations by her PCP and perhaps other specialist the PCP may refer her to.

Walkers are lighter to deal with getting one in and out of a car; you can also adjust the wheels so they fit through narrower doorways. We had to adjust the wheels on my mom's so it could fit through her bathroom door.

Rollators have a seat built in, so if your mom goes out often and needs a place to sit, it's a benefit. They also have hand brakes.

I also think she might benefit from a consultation with an Occupational Therapist, to make sure she is using the proper "form" while using the equipment. And to make sure that whatever piece of equipment you decide on is set at the proper height for her, so she doesn't end up with pain in her back.

In a lot of states her PCP can order a physical therapist to come to the home and evaluate what best Mom needs and also work with Mom on how to use it.

sonicwind: You may want to pose your questions to your mother's primary care physician, who perhaps sees her on a regular basis as we here on the forum could potentially suggest the wrong equipment.

Have her doctor write a script for PT.
This way she will be properly fitted and taught to use the correct type of walker for her . I see so many elderly use walkers incorrectly .

I like the walkers that have a seat they can turn around and sit on when fatigued.

The best one for stability& safety is the Drive Nitro Euro. Amazon has them.
Drive Medical RTL10266 Nitro Euro-Style 4-Wheel Rollator Walker With Seat, Red https://a.co/d/3PJdDtf

Medicare only paid $40.00 towards moms walker

From my perspective and experience get a physical therapist (preferably someone who works primarily with the elder) to assess what would work best for your mom. A physical therapist knows what to look for and be able to give you options and suggestions.

You are extremely lucky that your mom actually agrees with you on the change from a cane to a walker.

Best wishes

Request a physical therapy evaluation for mom from her primary doctor.
The therapist is best to access her mobility, select mobility aides and also choose some light exercises to keep her strength up.

Im 82 almost 83 and maybe more active than most but ???
when i was 79 almost 80 after knee surgery i insisted on keeping my walker almost armpit high instead of leaning over it.

FOR ME it was more comfortable and more normal-feeling and looking.

it will depend on how your mom feels about mobility and control.

Ask her doctor for a referral to physical therapy - which is covered by insurance. The physical therapist can evaluate her mobility, make suggestions for devices and even help her develop more strength or balance.

Be aware that not every PT or OT will have the same recommendation. With my mother, while in SNF, OT recommended rollator and PT recommended frame walker. Then, during home health (new therapists), OT recommended frame walker and PT recommended rollator.