Hemi Walker – Different Types of Hemi Walkers

Hemi Walker is a small, one-handed walker that is intended to be used by persons whose one-half of their body is weakened. It consists of the small frame that can be held with one hand, and four separate legs that provide senior users with a better stability when walking than they can get from a simple cane or even a quad cane (a cane that has four points that touch the ground). Overall, they look quite similar to a standard walker, but are smaller and can be used with one hand. It is also known by names side-stepper or one-handed walker.

The simplicity of the hemi walker frame, and it’s much more affordable pricing, make this device one of the most popular ones for elderly people who don’t want to be confined to the walking pace of other more elaborate two-handed walking assistant devices. Hemi walker is most commonly used by the patients who have one weakened leg, such as seniors who have suffered partial or full paralysis of one side of their body, or any other medical condition that prevents them from accessing full motor functions in one leg.

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Hemi Walker frame is usually made from lightweight anodized aluminum tubing, with rubber tips at the end of each leg, and two hand grips – one for holding the frame when walking, and one for holding it while sitting. Legs are spaced out so that they provide much better support for users whose weight can even reach 500 pounds. Many models can also be folded for easier storage and transport.

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Most common model of hemi walker is a “bariatric adult hemi walker”. It weighs only 10 pounds, the legs can be adjusted to be up to 36 inches wide, and can support the weight of up to 300 pounds.

Use of Hemi Walker

Since it does not feature wheels, the user needs to have enough upper body strength and endurance to handle it during walking sessions. Thankfully all models of hemi walkers are made to be as light and durable as possible.

Hemi Walker can be used with each hand, and all that user needs to:

• Adjust the height of the hand grip. The grip should be placed on the height of the hand that is angled 15 percent at the elbow.
• When using hemi walker, an elderly user should not be hunched down. Make sure that grip height is appropriate for user’s height.
• The elderly user should first stand near a wall, chair or an assistant, and slowly try to handle the device and place a bit of their weight on it.
• Slowly lift and move hemi walker half a step away, and then walk into it with your healthy leg.
• Practice slow walking, preferably with the help of an assistant, until senior feels that it can handle the device more easily.
• When they become more comfortable, an elderly user can switch their walking style from three step procedure (move the walker, move the opposite leg, move the other leg) to faster two step procedure (move the walker and opposite leg at the same time and then move the other leg).

Types of Hemi Walker

• Simple one-handed lightweight design that has no additional accessories or capabilities (such as folding)
• Two-grip version, which allows the user to more easily hold the walker when they are sitting down and getting up.
• Foldable hemi walker
• Side-oriented hemi walker, which features wider base
• Hemi walker with trays or bags

Price

Hemi Walkers can be very affordable. Entry models are priced in $35-45 range, while more advanced models (wider base, folding, and more) can go up to $80. Top of the line models that can be used by heavy users can cost up to $110.

Who should use Hemi Walker

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Hemi walker is an entry level walking assistant device that can be used by:

• Elderly or disabled who have weakened arm, shoulder, wrist or hand due to injury, broken bones, stroke or other medical conditions.
• Elderly or disabled who require a bit of support during walking, but cannot use a traditional two-handed walker or are not satisfied with the stability offered by cane or quad cane.
• Elderly or disabled who have good balance, but want to be safer when walking.
• Elderly or disabled who have sufficient upper body strength and endurance to operate hemi walker during their daily walks
• Elderly or disabled whose home layout does not allow them to bring their bigger walker frame into certain rooms (such as bathrooms). In such cases, having a dedicated hemi walker can be very helpful.

Who Should Not Use Hemi Walker

Hemi walkers are not recommended to be used by:

• Elderly or disabled who have issues with their upper body strength. They should instead try using two-handed walker models, folding walker with a forearm attachment, or if one of their hands is severely weakened, a light wheelchair.
• Elderly or disabled who want to place a significant part of their weight on the walker assistive device. Some models of Hemi walkers can accept a lot of weight, but overall, physicians don’t recommend doing so.
• Elderly or disabled who don’t have enough endurance for safe walking sessions.
• Elderly or disabled who are feeling severe effects of poor balance.

Recommended Features

If you are looking to purchase hemi walker, here are some of the most important features that you should seek:

• Adjustable height option, a must-have feature that enables an elderly user to retain good posture during walks.
• The lightweight frame enables the user to more easily handle even long walking sessions.
• The sturdy frame that can easily handle the weight of the user.
• Stable frame. Make sure that all four legs of the device are evenly touching the ground.
• Foldable frame is great for storage and transport.
• Handle design – the more comfortable the handle, the better user experience. Softer handles are recommended for elderly users with arthritis.

Accessories and Options

Hemi walkers usually don’t support optional accessories. The vast majority of models on the market comes in two forms – with one (for walking) or two grips (with lower grip used to provide stability to users who are sitting or trying to stand up).

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