Helping Your Loved One Get Used to Using a Walker

Has your elderly loved one reached a point where walking has become difficult and puts them at risk for falling? Maybe they’ve even fallen or stumbled multiple times in recent months, creating a serious concern that the next stumble might result in serious injury. There are lots of steps you or their companion care at home aide can take as a caregiver to help make your home safer for your elderly loved one to maneuver around in, but there is also one big step that your elderly loved one can take as well – using a walker to navigate their way around the home and outside of the home.

Walker Reluctance is Not Uncommon

Because a walker is quite large and prominent, many seniors see it as a giant sign that proclaims their inability to get around unaided anymore. It’s like a giant sign that screams “I’m old!” to the world, and they might not be comfortable using it, or they might not even consider it when you bring it up.

Many seniors have also gotten used to other ways to prevent falls, such as holding onto furniture, leaning on walls, or simply not getting up and walking much. These can all help in a pinch, but a walker can help your senior gain more independence and get up and go when they want, and where they want. You just need to find the best way to talk them into trying it.

Four Tips to Encourage Walker Use

Be Patient and Kind. With almost anything new, there’s always going to be a lot of fear around it, and questions about how it’ll help. Your loved one may have a ton of excuses as to why a walker isn’t for them, and it’s important to listen empathetically to their concerns so they know you are coming from a place of care, not control. If bringing it up causes too much stress and combativeness, be prepared to table the idea for a bit and reopen it for discussion later when emotions have calmed down.

Bring in a Doctor’s Advice. Many elderly individuals are much more likely to hear about using a walker from their doctor instead of a family member. Ask your loved one’s primary doctor if they can chat with your loved one about their concerns regarding their falling incidents and their need for some type of support when being active, such as a walker. Hearing from multiple sources – family members, companion care at home providers, and medical professionals – that a walker is in their best interest may open up the door for them to at least try using one.

Talk about the Benefits. Using a walker might actually help your loved one explore the world more while still getting in some good physical activity to stay healthy. A walker can help them walk around the neighborhood again and see neighbors, or go out to their favorite restaurant for a delicious meal.

Get everyone involved. Talk to your loved one’s companion care at home provider about consistently offering the walker. The companion care at home provider can put it next to the door for when your loved one leaves the home with them, or give it a spot at the kitchen table so it’s ready for them to use as soon as a meal is over. By having everyone encourage using the walker, your loved one will be using it without hesitation in no time.

If you or an aging loved one is considering Companion Care at Home Services in the Prairie Village, KS area, please contact the caring staff at Elder Care of Kansas City today.

Proudly serving Jackson, Clay, Platte, and Cass Counties in Missouri, as well as Johnson and Wyandotte Counties in Kansas for over 30 years.

• Author
• Recent Posts

Kevin Edwards

Owner at Elder Care of Kansas City

Kevin’s life and the lives of his immediate family have been impacted by caregivers – either as a patient or a caregiver - for as long as he can remember.He watched his mother take care of his grandmother until her death at the age of 97.Five years later, his father passed from a neurological disorder that was subsequently confirmed as Lewy Body Dementia.In 2007, his wife, Lori, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.The symptoms of Lori’s disease required Kevin to hire a caregiver during the periods of her relapses.

Prior to purchasing Elder Care, Kevin spent over 20 years in the health insurance industry.In his most recent position, he was in a financial operations role with Humana where he worked with doctors, nurses and other health professionals developing programs to keep Humana members healthy.Their focus on primary care and medication adherence improved the lives of thousands of seniors in Kansas City and the surrounding area.

Kevin and his wife, Lori, have three children.Kevin has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Missouri.

Latest posts by Kevin Edwards (see all)

• Five Tips to Talk to Seniors About Driving - May 7, 2026
• How In-Home Support Helps Manage Sleep Disruptions in Alzheimer’s - April 20, 2026
• Helping Seniors Fight Fatigue - April 6, 2026